Dickinson Stadium to be converted to artificial turf

In a press release, it was announced thanks to a generous donation from Steve and Elizabeth Upton, Dickinson Stadium will be converted to a synthetic playing field in time for the 2018 football season.

The donation from the Upton Family will be honored with the name on the new field.  Athletic Director Kevin Guzzo said “We are very fortunate to have the Upton Family in our community.  Their commitment and dedication to providing for our community and school is truly appreciated.  With the addition of synthetic turf to Dickinson Stadium, the stadium will become one of the best football stadiums in Southwest Michigan.  We will also be able to bring our soccer games back to our high school campus with the synthetic turf addition.  The coaches and student athletes will benefit from this addition for years to come.”

The current Dickinson Stadium was completed in 2003, early in the design process the new stadium was supposed to include an artificial turf surface, but it was decided that the field would stay as a grass field. 

The current grass surface at Dickinson Stadium was done this summer after a grub infestation damaged the field.
St. Joe is one of four schools in Berrien County to play their home games on artificial turf. Joining Lakeshore, New Buffalo, and Michigan Lutheran (played at Lakeshore’s rocket football field), with turf fields.  

When Portage Central’s new stadium opens in 2019, it will mark more than half of the schools in the SMAC with artificial turf fields.  St. Joseph, Lakeshore, Portage Central, Portage Northern, Gull Lake, and Battle Creek Central have artificial turf fields.

Here is the press release

St. Joseph Public Schools is thrilled to announce the receipt of a generous donation from Steve and Elizabeth Upton and the Upton Family for synthetic turf to be installed at Dickinson Stadium.  The district is humbled to be the recipient of this substantial gift. The Upton Family has done so much for the community, and it will be our honor to bestow the Upton Family name on the new field.

Board President Amy Porritt-Peirce stated, “The Upton Family have always been great ambassadors of our community and tremendous supporters of our schools.   Their generous donation to St. Joseph Public Schools for synthetic turf at Dickinson Stadium will provide an everlasting gift.  Our district truly appreciates the Upton Family’s generosity and continued support of educational excellence at St. Joseph Public Schools.”

Superintendent Ann Cardon said, “The Upton’s have always been tremendous partners for our district and have been there to support us on so many levels. This extremely generous donation is just one more example of their commitment to local education and the St. Joseph community and we are so thankful.”

Athletic Director Kevin Guzzo said, “We are very fortunate to have the Upton Family in our community.  Their commitment and dedication to providing for our community and school is truly appreciated.  With the addition of synthetic turf to Dickinson Stadium, the stadium will become one of the best football stadiums in Southwest Michigan.  We will also be able to bring our soccer games back to our high school campus with the synthetic turf addition.  The coaches and student athletes will benefit from this addition for years to come.”

Steve Upton commented, “We are very fortunate to have quality schools in our area.  St. Joe Schools has always been a great school system, and very important to our family.  We are excited to improve the facilities at the high school and this will benefit all area student athletes for years to come.  Elizabeth and I are proud of this improvement and look forward to seeing games after completion.”