Little over a year, $600,000 later . . .

Private donors foot the cost of a new fieldhouse for area powerhouse Armwood.

By JOEY KNIGHT
Published April 26, 2007

TAMPA - Around 250 members of the Armwood football community will convene on campus tonight for a catered steak dinner under sprawling tents, music by the Hawks' marching band and perhaps some words from a few local dignitaries.

But this pep rally of sorts won't be nearly as upscale as the architectural project inspiring it.

Buoyed by the benevolence of private donors, Armwood will break ground this evening on a 12,000-square-foot athletic fieldhouse that will serve primarily as home to Hawks football.

The price tag: $600,000 for the structure, well shy of the initial projection of $1.2-million. It will be built by the School District of Hillsborough County, with additional donations used to finance accessories such as weights and video equipment.

All $600,000 has been privately donated through a 13-month capital campaign, coach Sean Callahan said. Construction is set to begin this summer.

The facility will feature 1,600-square-foot weight and locker rooms, coaches' offices, meeting rooms, training facilities and a laundry room. Facilities for female sports programs will be included.

"This whole process has been incredible," said Callahan, whose program won consecutive state titles in 2003 and '04 and has lost only four games on the field in the past four years. "I never thought anyone would give me $1,000, let alone money like that."

School district spokesman Stephen Hegarty said the facility will be constructed as part of an Armwood renovation that includes some classroom additions. The district typically matches private contributions of up to $50,000, Hegarty added, and will do so for this project.

Callahan said $250,000 of the raised amount comes from decorated U.S. Army veteran John Stanton. A Robinson graduate, Stanton is president and CEO of nearby Cast-Crete Corporation, manufacturer of structural precast and prestressed concrete products. As a tribute to Stanton's benevolence, Callahan said the field at Armwood's Lyle Flagg Stadium will be named Soldiers Field.

"The Armwood football tradition of discipline and mental toughness are reminiscent of the best tradition of our U.S. Armed Forces," Stanton said in a statement released through Callahan.

Joey Knight can be reached at 813 226-3350 or jknight@sptimes.com.

[Last modified April 26, 2007, 00:29:03]