Cleveland Central Catholic Breaks Ground for Morgana Athletic Complex

On Sept. 3, the school hosted a special groundbreaking ceremony and celebration for its first-ever athletic field and track. Click here to read the complete press release.

Dean Kinley – Rest In Peace

The Central Catholic family sends its deepest sympathy to the family of Dean Kinley, our beloved teacher, coach, athletic director and business manager who served the school so well for 34 year.

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Ground broken for first-ever athletic complex at Cleveland Central Catholic

City of Cleveland helps fund athletic facilities to boost Slavic Village high school and neighborhood

September 3, 2008; Cleveland, Ohio -- Cleveland Central Catholic High School in the city’s Slavic Village neighborhood today held a groundbreaking ceremony in celebration of the school’s first-ever athletic field and track. Morgana Athletic Complex, at the corner of East 67th and Baxter Road, will be a state-of-the-art facility boasting a synthetic turf football field, an eight-lane 400 meter track and a discus, pole vault, high jump and shot put areas.  

With construction scheduled to begin in early September, the new athletic complex will be home field to the Cleveland Central Catholic “Ironmen” in the fall of 2009. For this season, the school’s teams are using Collinwood High School as their home field.

The project is a public/private partnership with the majority of funds being provided by the City of Cleveland. Early in 2006, Mayor Frank G. Jackson made the Morgana Athletic Complex a priority for his Administration.

“This athletic complex represents years of dedication and hard work by the City, the Council members, Third Federal and Cleveland Central Catholic,” said Mayor Jackson, who participated in the groundbreaking ceremony by throwing out the first pass to Central Catholic football player Kevin Cash. “It is part of an overall strategy to provide first-class recreation amenities in our neighborhoods and provide high-quality facilities to our young athletes.”

Pictured left to right are:  Cleveland Councilwoman Phyllis Cleveland, J.D. of Ward 5, Paul Huml of Third Federal Savings & Loan, Bishop Anthony Pilla, student David Vasquez, Cleveland City Councilman Anthony Brancatelli of Ward 12, Marc Stefanski of Third Federal Savings & Loan, student Astrid Tres, Central Catholic President/Principal Karl Ertle, Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson, Most Rev. Roger Gries, OSB, Auxiliary Bishop of the Cleveland Diocese, and faculty member Lin Sinclair.

Designed by City Commissioner of Architecture Kurt Wiebusch, Behke & Associates and Madison Architects, the project has been in the planning stages for more than four years. Former Ward 12 Councilman Edward Rybka and Paul Huml of Third Federal Savings & Loan conceived the project and used portions of the Ward funds and G.O. Bonds, as has current Councilman Anthony Brancatelli, who took up the baton for Rybka. Both have seen the development of the park as a key part of the renaissance of the Slavic Village neighborhood. The new complex will be a city park that will be open from dawn until dusk for the neighborhood to use for recreation when not in use by the high school.

“This new athletic complex means everything to our school and our athletes,” said Karl Ertle, President/Principal of Cleveland Central Catholic High School. “While our main focus is on academics, a well-rounded offering includes athletics. In our 40-year history, we have not been able to host a home game or practice. What a wonderful gift for these students to have a state-of-the-art facility to share with the community. There is an unbelievable energy on our campus since announcing the project, and we will be forever grateful to the City of Cleveland and Third Federal for helping to make this dream a reality.”

Local dignitaries, including Cleveland City Councilwoman Phyllis Cleveland of Ward 5 and Councilman Brancatelli, joined Mayor Jackson and the school community in the groundbreaking celebration, together with Most Rev. Roger Gries, OSB, Auxiliary Bishop of the Cleveland Diocese, who blessed the site. The Central Catholic Choir performed “God Bless America,” and the school’s cheerleaders rounded out the celebration.

Most Reverend Richard G. Lennon, Bishop, Diocese of Cleveland, said, "This new complex is another indication of the Church's commitment to the city and the education of students throughout our entire Diocese. It is my hope that what is happening here at Central Catholic will also benefit the wider community."

Since 2004, Ertle, lead administrator and primary Catholic faith leader for the Central Catholic community, has been responsible for expanding the present school campus and creating new channels for stakeholder involvement in the education of Cleveland’s youth. With a student body of 560, the Diocesan high school was in danger of closing when enrollment dropped to 320 a few short years ago.

Ertle, who is credited with the school’s turnaround, added, “Slavic Village has been beaten down and barbecued by the media, and this new development is huge for our community. Cleveland Central Catholic is vibrant in the city, and our students are making great strides in academic growth and serving the neighborhood each and every day. The new athletic complex will be a gem for our neighborhood and provide great opportunities for our students to recreate and excel.”

About Cleveland Central Catholic High School

Based in Cleveland’s Slavic Village neighborhood, Cleveland Central Catholic High School (CCCHS) is a Catholic, comprehensive coeducational high school with an enrollment of more than 550 students. The school educates culturally diverse young men and women of Cleveland and challenges them to deepen their faith to responsibly serve God, church and community. In 1968, four of Cleveland's urban Catholic high schools merged to form Cleveland Central Catholic High School. Those four schools were Our Lady of Lourdes, St. John Cantius, St. Michael and St. Stanislaus. The school treasures an academic and racial diversity that celebrates the city of Cleveland, with more than 85% of its graduates going directly to college. For more information, visit the school’s website at: www.centralcatholichs.org.

CONTACT:

Toni Lambert, Cleveland Central Catholic
Phone: 216-441-4700, x 233
E-mail: admissions@centralcatholichs.org

Andrea V. Taylor, City of Cleveland
Phone: 216-664-4171
E-mail: ataylor@city.cleveland.oh.us