Monroeville's Marsh Field ready for big makeover

MONROEVILLE — Momentum is hard to get, and even more difficult to stop. This fall, the Monroeville High School football team had its best season in eight years. The Eagles won a playoff game for the first time since 2016, finished with a top-10 ranking in the Associated Press poll and won a share of the Firelands Conference championship for the first time since 2020. Riding that momentum — which included hosting two playoff games at one of the more unique high school football settings in the region — another facelift is in order for the Eagles' home venue. Prior to a second-round Division VII playoff game against Warren John F. Kennedy on Nov. 8, Monroeville announced the Marsh Field revitalization project. Over the course of three phases, the 127 North St. facility will see much-needed improvements. That first phase will include six different aspects, but none more important than a new home-side press box and bleachers. "I couldn't even tell you the age of our main set of bleachers on the home side, and this is my 30th year at Monroeville," athletic director Ben Paul said. "They were here long before me. The newest set of bleachers on the home side closest to our concession stand were purchased four years before I got here, so those are approaching 35 years." Paul added the third section of bleachers on the north end of the home side was an old set of mud volleyball stands that also pre-date his arrival in 1995. "There is no question those bleachers needed attention, whether it was boards being replaced or handrails, things like that," he said. Other improvements in the first phase of the project — anticipated to be ready by the home opener in 2025 — includes new concrete surrounding the new bleachers, while also extending a concrete walkway behind the west end zone going toward the Jason Alexander Fieldhouse and away side. Also included is a turf sideline on the home side, new NFL-height goalposts — and the relocation of the youngest set of home side bleachers to create additional seating on the away side next to the fieldhouse. Last spring, Monroeville opened a new track and field facility behind the high school on Ohio 99. During that time, Paul said conversations were held about making improvements to Marsh Field, which is not located at the school. Over the last 10 years, the football stadium has seen the locker rooms renovated, along with new lights, a new scoreboard and the addition of a play clock in each end zone. "All of those things have been driven by our football alumni group," Paul said. "They are incredible and have come through time and time again with funding and manpower to make those things happen." This time, the alumni association came to the school and wanted to partner on the Marsh project. Greg Schafer from the Monroeville-based excavating contractor Underground Utilities along with current head football coach Tylor Nester were also instrumental in putting the project together. The longtime AD said the project is already close to being able to do the things listed within phase one. "What we currently have covered is the bleacher and press box replacement," he said. "We're going to continue to look for sources of revenue and do some fundraising with our community to see if we can get the remainder of the way to get some additional help." That started with a brick paver fundraiser. Those interested have the ability to purchase three different pavers ranging from $100 to $250 each with 20 characters over 3-to-6 lines of text on each brick. Paul said the Friday night experience at Marsh Field is unmatched. The school wants to continue that type of fan experience. "It's one of the best places to watch a football game because there is no track around the field and the action is right in front of you," he said. "For better or worse, and I can think of instances of both, the fan experience standing around the end zone — you can be just a few feet away from the action. "That experience and closeness to the field enhances watching the game and being there," he added. "Certainly you don't have to go far back to pointing to the St. Paul game this year (on Oct. 25) to see that." Future phases hope to include a new restroom and concessions building on the home side; the existing concessions converted to storage; and a new natural grass playing surface over a sand field with subsurface drainage tile.