THE NEW NEST
It’s red and white with a dash of green. It’s expensive. And well worth the wait and the cost for the Cardinals, as the artificial turf at Eisenhower is already a big winner.
As you begin your drive on the Kedzie Avenue bridge north toward 127th Street, your eyes are drawn to the bright red-andgreen colors to the east.
And, no, it doesn't have anything to do with gaudy Christmas decorations.
These colors will remain beyond the holidays, providing curb appeal for months and years to come.
It took a decade longer than expected for District 218 to commit to the much-needed investment, but the installation of an artificial turf field at Eisenhower is finally complete.
And I must say, it's well worth the wait.
Yes, I'm a biased alum.
If it didn't meet the standards of a school that has stood the test of time since 1897, however, Iwould be the first to tell you.
“It's a huge asset to the school and the community,” Eisenhower football coach Sheamus Murphy said. “I don't knowif there's a better setup than what we have now. That red really pops.”
It sure does. Similar to Torri Stuckey laying the thunder on an opponent fromthe secondary or running back Lester Flemons stiff-arming a foe during a long march to the end zone.
I applaud the decision-makers for adhering to the school's red-and-white colors and not being persuaded to allowblack to become too prominent.
There's a reason the school newspaper is called the “Red and White.” Those are Eisenhower's school colors.
The alternate shades of green every 10 yards on the artificial turf is a nice touch. But it's the red end zones— with Eisenhower spelled out to the south and Cardinals to the north, both in black lettering and outlined in white— that causes the eyes to widen.
And the massive Cardinal logo on the 50-yard line nearly brought a tear to this alum's eyes.
A high school rich in history and boasting a one-of-a-kind stadium deserves a showpiece like this.
“I've noticed a lot more traffic in the school parking lot,” Murphy said. “People are coming by to peek at it. It's something everyone involved should be proud of.”
I've heard some people balking at the multimillion dollar investment. But here's the deal, it's going to benefit more than just the football program.
Boys and girls soccer, the marching band and physical education classes will use the field.
The baseball and softball teams will be able to practice on it when the natural grass surfaces are soggy.
And it will allow Eisenhower to host youth feeder programs and showcase the campus to future families.
The benefits far outweigh the price tag.
“It's should help keep kids in Blue Island and maybe draw families into Blue Island,” Murphy said. “My goal is to host a youth football camp with over 100 kids. I think this is going to be a big attraction for the school.”
So do I.
Timing is everything, and with the real possibility of having football and boys soccer participating in the spring, this investment couldn't have come at a better time.
District 218 sister schools Shepard and Richards are expected to have artificial turf installed in the next few years.
Eisenhower athletic director Colleen Kelly plans to hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony at some point.
“It will open up a lot of opportunities for students and student-athletes,” she said. “It's definitely creating a buzz about the school. People who have seen it tell us it looks amazing.”
Iwould have added a few subtleties and had some fun with the design. Maybe added a “Go DDE” or “Ike Pride” on the home sideline.
Even a “BIHS” somewhere to honor Blue Island High School, which the schoolwas named up until 1962.
But, hey, I'm nitpicking— sort of.
Murphy confirmed it has been somewhat bittersweet watching the transformation during the coronavirus pandemic.
“It's been a challenge not being able to use it,” Murphy said. “Our kids can't wait to get on it.”