Work commences on Phase 1 of Tolton Catholic’s new outdoor athletics and activities complex

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Fr. Tolton Regional Catholic High School senior Dominik Abadi will graduate before the first phase of the school’s new outdoor athletics and activities complex is completed this summer.

But his three younger siblings will be there to help break the new facilities in.

“That’s what makes it feel even better — watching them take the field and take the track,” said Dominik, who was the quarterback for the Tolton Catholic Trailblazers varsity football team this year.

He spoke at the March 4 groundbreaking ceremony for the first
phase of the estimated $8 million project, which will include installing artificial turf on the football and soccer field, a durable, soft-surface, an eight-lane 400-meter track, facilities for track and field events, and an updated PA system.

“We’ve always had first-class student athletes, and now I’m excited to say that we will soon have a first-class facility to match,” said Daniel Everett Ed.D., president and principal of Tolton Catholic.

The project will be paid for entirely by donors to the Blazers — Game On! Capital campaign (blazers-game-on.org). No tuition or diocesan money will be used for it.

Students, parents, faculty, community leaders, board members, contributors and representatives of the participating construction firms attended the groundbreaking.

Dr. Everett noted that through the generosity of early donors, strong community support, and partners such as the M614 Foundation, more than $5.1 million had already been committed to the project.

“As we sit here looking over this field and imagining what it’s going to be in a couple months, it’s easy for us to think first about athletics, Friday night lights, competition, the home field advantage,” said Dr. Everett.

But the vastly improved complex will represent much more than all of that.

“It will foster a strong sense of community and shared purpose, elevating the spirit of every student, faculty member and family who walks through our doors,” said Dr. Everett.

“It’s a bold, tangible commitment to the future of our students and the enduring strength of our school,” he said. “This will be a vehicle for the creation of lifelong memories, friendships and resolve.”

He pointed out to students that their grandchildren and their grandchildren’s grandchildren will likely play on the renewed fields.

“So today, as we break ground, we do so knowing that our being here will serve generations and generations of Blazers to come,” he said.

Long-awaited day

God’s presence and goodness were acknowledged throughout the ceremony.

Makaylin Viet, who has participated in cross-country and track programs at the school, led the assembly in prayer

“We give you thanks for the founding families who first laid the pillars, building a chapel for spirit, uniting one community for heart, and establishing a school rooted in academic excellence for mind,” Makaylin prayed. “Now, Lord, you call us to blaze the trail once again as we begin building our new outdoor athletics and activities complex from the ground up.”

She offered a prayer of gratitude, calling upon God to bless and protect everyone associated with the project.

“Through the intercession of Venerable Father Augustus Tolton and St. Sebastian, patron of athletes, bless our leaders with wisdom, our benefactors with generosity, and our students with opportunities to develop the talents you have given them,” Makaylin prayed. “May these new spaces become a home where every Blazer glorifies you.”

Coach Pat Kelly, vice principal and athletic and activities director, has been a member of the Tolton Catholic faculty since the school was dedicated in 2011.

“Since our opening 15 years ago, many of us coaches, student athletes and parents alike have been waiting for this day,” he said, “the day we could finally begin the process of completing the original vision of the school, with a top-of-the-line outdoor facility.”

Coach Kelly praised the volunteers whose countless hours of pulling weeds, rolling gravel, mowing grass, painting lines, filling holes, and other contributions through the years had made the humble venue the best it could be.

“Our facilities have never been perfect, but they never stopped our teams from competing and from winning,” he said.

He pointed to the 12 team state championships and more than a dozen individual state championships that were rooted in those fields and on that gravel.

“What all this past success has shown us is something deeper than championships,” he said. “At Fr. Tolton Catholic High School, our mission is to educate students in spirit, heart, mind and body.

“This new facility will certainly strengthen the body aspect of that mission,” he stated. “As anyone who has been around Tolton Catholic knows, athletics have always been about much more than the body.”

Coach Kelly introduced Father Mike Coleman, one of Tolton Catholic’s two chaplains, who has also been with the school since the beginning.

Fr. Coleman pointed out that throughout salvation history, God has always set aside places for his glory.

“And now, we’re going to continue to glorify God,” he said. “And there’s nothing I love more, no matter what sport it is, than gathering with the athletes to pray before the game.”

He led the assembly in a prayer of gratitude for all that has been and all that is to come.

“May we never forget that the most important thing we do is glorify you in mind, body, heart and spirit,” he prayed. “Bless all of these places and keep us mindful of our mission to be your light to the world on and off the court, on and off the field, on and off the track. Amen.”

“The greatest good”

Father Roberto Ike, pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Columbia and chairman of Tolton Catholic’s board of directors, came forward to bless the construction site and pray for God to use the renewed complex to guide everyone toward gladness, friendship and strength of body.

“Lord, you rule over all things with wonderful order,” Fr. Ike prayed. “You temper the cares and burdens of our toil. And by giving us rest and healthy recreation, you refresh our weary bodies and minds.

“We entreat your kindness that this place and its facilities will contribute to leisure activities that renew the spirit and strengthen mind and body,” he prayed.

Dominik; Makaylin; Father Ignitius Nimwesiga, chaplain; Fr. Ike; Dr. Everett; Julie Roling; Fr. Coleman; Pat Kelly; and Gus, the school’s mascot, then stepped forward in white hard hats to conduct the official groundbreaking.

A cheer went forth when in unison, they pushed their matching shovels into the sod and turned over some dirt.

The Tolton Catholic cheering squad led a cheer, followed by the band playing the school fight song.

Dominik said he’s been blessed to see how closely faith and Tolton Catholic are connected.

He noted that competing as a Catholic means playing for something bigger than himself.

“And I have the pleasure of playing this game for the greatest good, which is God,” he said.

Dr. Everett said he hopes the students will remember that day for the rest of their lives.

“God bless you, and know that you’re loved,” he said.

Fundraising is ongoing for Phase 2 of the project, which includes renovating the baseball and softball facilities to make them game-ready and up to statewide standards for high school sports.

Jeremy Diener, the school’s executive director of development and principal gifts, noted that Tolton Catholic has never hosted a baseball or softball game on campus.

“We currently play our home baseball games at Atkins field and our softball games at the American Legion facility,” he said.

Visit blazers-game-on.org/project-updates for more information.