By Tim Evans
Index Reporter
“This is what happens when a community comes together.”
That’s what West Liberty School District Superintendent Shaun Kruger had to say in cutting the West Liberty Chamber of Commerce blue ribbon to officially open the new West Liberty High School sports complex for the football season.
Although the complex has already seen boys' and girls' soccer action, as well as softball and baseball play, the community is highly anticipating the opening of the football field. Officials say some tweaking is still needed at the complex build just south of the high school including some landscaping, grass seeding and naming signage.
The all-turf, low maintenance facility is among the best and most modern prep sports facilities in Iowa and hopes to help draw newcomers to the community as it hosts major meets, events and even college teams who may be preparing to compete at the University of Iowa just 18 miles away.
“There’s nothing like this anywhere,” Kruger said, noting he’s excited to have the opportunity for other schools from throughout the state to come to West Liberty to compete.
Adam Loria, the high school activities director, said although the facility has been talked about previously, “tonight’s a special night,” saying although it was a difficult decision to move ahead with the project, he knows it will benefit not only the Comet athletes, but the entire community.
He reported the first actual event held at the facility was a girls' soccer match on March 29 and the soccer teams completed their entire season on the field, as did softball and baseball teams.
He said the school is also welcoming college teams to use the facility if available and noted Penn State’s baseball team used the diamonds in preparation for the Big 10 Conference baseball tournament in Iowa City last fall.
He said Iowa state girls' high school athletic association officials were also visiting last week to consider the facility for events and said the school has already agreed to host a 26-team state qualifying track meet on their eight lanes next year, as well as hosting 30 teams in 2024 in a fall baseball league.
He said the school would also be hosting a River Valley wrestling tournament this year. Loria said the goal of the facility to be able to serve as many students as possible.
Like Kruger, he praised local businesses for their contributions and encouraged citizens to “shop locally.”
He also presented a special honor to West Liberty softball coach Trisha Hall from the Iowa Girls’ Coaches Association, named the 2024 “Mike Henderson District Coach of the Year” for Class 3A in Southeast Iowa.
Top donor speaks
One of he highlights of the night was a speech from West Liberty Foods chief executive officer Brandon Achen, who said as a resident raising his family in the community, he could see the deteriorating conditions of old facilities.
He praised Kruger, Loria and marketing consultant Lisa Wertzbaugher pitching the fundraising options to his company, which employs over 1,000 in the community. “They sold me on why it’s important,” he said, noting the new facilities were “needed badly.”
“We believe in sustainability,” Achen said of West Liberty Foods, noting it didn’t take much time to sell his board on the $500,000 donation they would give toward the complex, include naming rights. “They agreed: this was something we have to do,” he said.
Achen said the company is in line with the community in their beliefs, noting sports helps build leadership skills, something he utilizes every day in his business, along with good sportsmanship, collaboration, flexibility and supporting others. “Those traits are exactly what we look for in employees,” he said, proud to be the major partner for the schools with the new complex.
New Comet football coach Jason Dumont, a coach at nearby Iowa City Regina for eight years, said one of the attractions in coming to West Liberty was the facility, noting he was “amazed” at how quickly the community came together. “It’ s so nice to have a facility this nice,” he said, noting the turf surface will be a learning curve for teams.
Dumont encouraged Comet fans to come out for the season opener Friday against visiting Regina, noting they can expect a different brand of football than they’ve seen in the past in West Liberty. He said the Comets have the potential to win a lot of games, but said it may take a while for them to get used to his new system.
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