Columbiana boosters ask community to ‘Meet the Match’

Jul 31, 2023

Columbiana returning lettermenReturning lettermen for the 2023 Columbiana football team are (front, from left) Will Ward, Mike Dunn, Coleman Bacon, Parker Bush, Liam Surgenavic, Aidan Radcliff; (second row, from left) Max Conway, Cameron Clancy, Craig Witherow, Dylan Bregar, Spencer Pruitt; (back, from left) Noah Benner, Aidan Bowyer, Bryce Ebben, Bransen Graham, Kian Hartley and Jason Martin. The Clippers will host Lowellville in the Aug. 18 season opener. (Photo by Ron Firth)

COLUMBIANA — The Columbiana Athletic Boosters are calling on the community to support the current fundraising effort for restoration of the Firestone Park stadium throught the purchase of yard signs.

“The hope is that these signs will visually display the community-wide unity and collaboration that is needed to complete a project of this magnitude,” Brian Gustafson, fundraising director for the Booster’s campaign, said. “Through this “Meet the Match” fundraiser, and the many generous contributions made and still needed, we hope to see this project through to completion, a project that will enable the current stadium, in disrepair after many decades of use, to provide new event and sporting opportunities for Columbiana residents and schools for years to come,” he added.

Yard signs will be distributed to donors who give a personal gift of $100 or more to the renovation campaign. Payments can be made via cash or check made out to the Columbiana Athletic Boosters and mailed to 700 Columbiana-New Waterford Road, Columbiana 44408 or by contacting any one of the Booster officers. More information on who to contact and how to donate and obtain a sign can be found on facebook at Columbiana Athletic Boosters.

To help launch the fundraising efforts, the Bradford and Patricia Tingle Family Foundation and the Dick Fisher family have pledged $300,000 if community donations can meet this goal as a first step to bring in funds. The actual total goal for the official Phase One of the stadium renovation is 1.4 million dollars to replace the current crumbling old structure with new concrete and aluminum stands, to re-face the press box and to install proper drainage in and around both structures.

To preserve the stadium’s unique history and its dynamic football legacy, it is planned to re-name the new stadium, when completed, the Dick “Sonny” Fisher Stadium and Firestone Field.

Those wanting to see how the campaign is going can view a new thermometer displayed at town square that will be recording the success of the first step of the fundraising campaign to meet the match of $300,000. An informational sign has also been posted in the park.

For more information on the Columbiana Athletic Boosters’ campaign to renovate the stadium, contact Booster president Sean Zentner at (330) 518-7170.

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