By Jed Buelow
Tomahawk Leader Co-Editor, Sports and Nature Editor
Anybody who has ever attended a Tomahawk homecoming prep rally can attest to the amount of Hatchet Pride of each and every graduating class has. “We got spirit yes we do, we got spirit how ‘bout you!”
As part of the to raise funds to help pay for the new Hatchet Field and outdoor track being constructed in the old footprint of Hatchet Field this summer, organizers of the Hatchet Pride Project are offering Hatchet alumns the opportunity to support the cause through a Class Challenge and encourages the community to support the cause through a Engraved Seat Program.
As of this writing, the Class of 1999 was leading the Class Challenge in generating $7,500 to help pay for $2.25 million project that will include a new track, new synthetic turf field, new bleachers and other facility enhancements at Hatchet Field. In second place in the Class Challenge was the Class of 1965 with $5,000 and in third was 1970 with $2,025.
Work to reconstruct Hatchet Field and the outdoor track got underway earlier this summer. Kraus-Anderson Construction has been hired to complete the work that was designed by Stevens Point-based Point of Beginning. The construction project will add a new turf to the football field and 1,000-seat bleachers; and a new track surface, long jump, pole vault and exterior lighting.
Work is expected to be complete by this fall and align quite nicely with the Tomahawk Hatchet football program’s realignment from the Marawood Conference to the MONLPC-West Conference this fall where they will face teams like Northland Pines, Crandon, Oconto Falls, Coleman and Crivitz.
Pending the season can begin as scheduled, Tomahawk would kick off the season on the road with a pair of road games as they travel to Rhinelander Aug. 21 for the season opener before taking on old Marawood Conference opponent Rib Lake-Prentice on Aug. 28.
The home opener in front of what will surely be a pumped up and raucous Hatchet crowd is scheduled for Sept. 9 against new MONLPC-West opponent Critiz in the debut of a newly renovated Hatchet Field.
Those attending will have the unique opportunity to be part of what surely will be a special day as the Hatchet Pride Project committee is also offering the community the opportunity to be recognized as helping make the new stadium possible through a special Engraved Seat Program.
Donors can have the names of loved ones and themselves engrained on the seats for a tax-deductible $250 donation. Engravings will be in all capital letters on the new athletic field bleachers. Checks can be sent to: Tomahawk School District, 1048 East Kings Road, Tomahawk, WI 54487 with “Stadium Fund” marked in the memo portion of the check. Those who would like to show their Hatchet Pride by contributing to the Class Challenge can do so by sending checks to the address above with the graduating year marked in the memo portion of the check.
To learn more about the project an online contribution, visit the Hatchet Pride Project website at www.hatchetprideproject.com through their 501(c)(3) partner the Community Foundation of NorthCentral Wisconsin.