Writer’s Note: This is the second column in a series featuring recent Eagle Scout projects by local youth.
Bulldog Stadium is a local landmark. Alliance Public Schools takes pride in a facility filled by football fans in the fall, track and field athletes in the spring and physical education students throughout the school year. Youth take advantage of the grass expanse while other visitors make their way around the track, sometimes working in reps on the stadium steps.
Alliance Troop 216 scout Jerry Hampton focused on those steps for his Eagle Scout project. He led volunteers in painting all the steps with non-slip paint, adding non-slip strips, as well as painting the press box.
Jerry wanted to improve the stadium based on time spent there as a student. “As a band kid – it gets wet. Last year I slipped,” he explained, adding that dirt also collects on the steps as another hazard. “The press box was an extra request. I was in contact with Mr. Stein the principal and he was in contact with the school board.”
Scouts typically seek local support and find supplies at area merchants. Jerry went to Bloedorn for all-weather concrete paint. He said it had been many years since the steps were painted and the process needed redone. Jerry noted Bloedorns donated two cans of outdoor paint and Carters donated rollers.
Jerry also presented to the Alliance Public Schools Board of Education and they praised the finished project. The freshly painted steps were prominent during this year’s rainy Homecoming game and celebration. He said there have been some people who have noticed it with a bigger difference for people over 17.
“It gives that nice new look to the stadium,” Jerry said, adding his favorite part was “the day we went out there and doing the painting. (Also) leading the boys and showing them how and why.”
