Kutztown Area School District dedicates its new stadium on Sunday, May 6 at 2 p.m.
Prior to the grand opening, the Kutztown Class of 2021 will host the fourth annual “Running of the Cougars” 5K and Fun Walk. The race will begin at noon, with prizes awarded in multiple categories.
The stadium grand opening will include the dedication of the stadium and track, thank you to all donors, and the presentation of the Cougar Pride Capital Campaign proceeds by the KASD Education Foundation.
High school guidance counselor and Class of 2021 advisor, Andrew Brett, provided his thoughts on the race that begins the special day of events.
“The 5K and fun run was established in 2015 by the Class of 2017. The Class of 2021 has assumed the management of the event and looks forward to growing the program. We are excited to have the 2018 Running of the Cougars be part of the stadium dedication. We look forward to a good noon-time run followed by afternoon festivities in our beautiful facility,” said Brett.
High School Principal Barry Flicker spoke about how this new stadium benefits the entire community and how the Kutztown community has played a significant role in the creation of the stadium.
“It’s like a seed, you water that seed with more ideas and more people get behind that idea and more people see the point in having a stadium and how it could benefit the community,” said Flicker. “The community from the very beginning felt a sense of a buy in in the ideas and shaping of what the stadium could eventually become.”
Flicker believes the stadium dedication will be a culmination, as well as a celebration, of the Kutztown community’s efforts throughout the entire process of the creation of the stadium.
“The stadium dedication is an opportunity to look around and reflect, to thank the people who have gone before us, to thank the people who have donated, and to reflect on the past,” Flicker said. “It is a massive process but when you do it the right way, a day like the one coming soon is an opportunity to look around and see what a small community of people who are in support of something can do.”
Ed Yapsuga, the Director of Athletics and Student Activities, conveys that the day will be about a celebration of not only the new stadium, but also the efforts of both school district and community members.
“The district’s goal is to provide a great experience and opportunity for the community to celebrate the new stadium,” said Yapsuga. “During the day, we will have a ceremonial ribbon cutting, we will recognize donors, and will highlight the capital campaign which helped make this possible. There will be food and games and the ability for everyone to tour and enjoy the new facility.”
Yapsuga stated that he, along with others in the school district, “wants the community to be proud of this new facility because this is something that is here for everyone and will benefit everyone.”
To guarantee a race shirt for the Running of the Cougars, registration is due by April 18. The grand opening of the stadium will be open to the public on May 6 from 2 to 5 in the afternoon.
