Bellevue donors highlighted at stadium's Gridiron Plaza

BELLEVUE — Bellevue has provided strong support to its athletic programs through the years, and that generosity is on full display at the new Gridiron Plaza at First National Bank Field. The Gridiron Foundation of Bellevue unveiled the plaza this fall. It includes 300 nameplates that recognize donors, as well as an attractive concrete pad with stamped feather accents and picnic tables situated next to the concessions stand. The most recognizable part of the plaza is a 24-foot feather that was engineered and fabricated by Quality Welding Inc. of Bellevue. Tom Tinnel and Jeff Mynarsky spearheaded that part of the project. The feather, at its high point, is 30 feet in the air and can be illuminated at night. "We thought it was a great way to pay tribute to all the individuals and companies that have supported us throughout the years," said Joe Green, president of the Gridiron Foundation of Bellevue. "I think it accomplished what we set out to do and it adds to the overall aesthetics and functionality of the complex." The plaza was developed as a way to thank all donors who helped build Bellevue's field house, which was built about a dozen years ago, and pay for the installation of turf on the football field in 2013. Many of the pledges were of the 10-year variety, so Green felt the timing was right for the plaza, which adds another feature to the Bellevue Athletic Facility. "We like to think we've exceeded or are at least on par with any school our size with our stadium complex, from our play clock to our flags in the south end zone, to the signage, painting the light towers ... we're constantly looking at how we can improve our facilities and build on our tradition of excellence," said Green. Green, a psychology professor at Ohio State University's Lima branch, was Bellevue's starting quarterback in 1981 and 1982. Those two teams were the school's first playoff qualifiers and the Redmen finished the regular season 10-0 in 1982 — the program's first 10-win season. The Gridiron Club supports the Bellevue football program and other athletic programs and supplements the efforts of the booster club. The club's six-man board includes Green, Jeff Haynes, Dave Claus, Mark Roeser, Rodney Cook and Dick Raifsnider. Haynes also is the booster club president. Many local companies pitched in to build the plaza, including J&H Concrete (co-owned by Haynes), Solid Foundations (Dawson Gore) and Quality Welding. Nobil's Sports & Trophies in Norwalk provided the nameplates and All Phase Power & Lighting in Sandusky helped with the wiring that illuminates the giant feather. Green started the Gridiron Foundation 25 years ago. The group holds fundraisers and sponsors a golf outing. He said the plaza was paid for entirely by the foundation and by donations from local businesses. "I think that historically, Bellevue has been tremendously proud and supportive of not only our athletic programs specifically, but our school system broadly," Green said. "That makes it a great place to live."