Centerville, Wayne play football openers at Welcome Stadium Local prep football powers will play doubleheader vs. Lakota schools on Aug. 21. March 26, 2008. Dayton Daily News, Mark Gokavi, Staff Writer DAYTON — A renovated Welcome Stadium will be open for business Thursday, Aug. 21.
And the first football game won't feature the University of Dayton or a Dayton Public Schools matchup.
The Centerville Elks and Lakota East Thunderhawks will play at 5:30 p.m. that day before an 8:15 matchup between Wayne and Lakota West. The games are part of the Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown high school football series. It's these type of events Welcome Stadium hopes to attract with facility renovations — the centerpiece being new turf.
"I think it will be a great night for fans of all four schools," Centerville football coach Ron Ullery said. "I think Centerville and Wayne fans would love to see both teams play, and the same goes with East and West and general football fans."
DPS Athletic Director Jonas Smith said the field turf, called 24/7, will be installed by The Motz Group, a Cincinnati-based company that put in new surfaces at Franklin, Springboro and Valley View, as well as at venues around the world.
DPS, UD, Ohio Speaker of the House Jon Husted and Kettering Medical Center announced on Tuesday, March 25, the go-ahead of the completion of a $2.6 million upgrade for Welcome Stadium.
