On Aug. 18, 2023, the Fightin’ Irish of Aquinas said goodbye to the football team’s first home as they beat Jefferson County 49-20. The school’s stadium that served as home since 1977 was razed soon after to make room for a new multimillion dollar athletic complex.
A year and a day later, school officials will celebrate the completion of their new field with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 7 p.m.
“It feels like we’re actually in a football stadium. I can’t wait to see it packed out next week,” said Coach James Leonard during an Aug. 13 interview. Aquinas will take the new field for the first time Aug. 23 against Bryan County at 7:30 p.m.
Aquinas embarked on a $12 million fundraising campaign with more than $8 million for a brand new stadium, new baseball field, practice football field, concession space and athletic training room. The remaining funds are for the school’s endowment.
“It turned out better than we could’ve imagined,” said Leonard. “They play on turf every day. The kids love it. It’s top of the line turf.”
In an Aug. 18, 2023 article at Augusta Good News, Aquinas principal Maureen Lewis, who graduated from the school in 1984, called the project an exciting one and could only imagine what it might mean to the school’s future.
Read archive story: Aquinas ends era to start season
“Ms. Lewis and the committee did a phenomenal job planning this out,” Leonard said.
Another milestone that should happen this season is Leonard’s 100th win as the team’s head coach. His current record is 96-37 with the Aug. 16 loss on the road against Athens Academy.
Leonard believes in this year’s team and its prospects for the season.
“I feel good,” he said prior to the season opener. “We got a lot coming back from last year’s team, and we have a great coaching staff.”
One thing he’s looking forward to is being closer to home for the rest of the season.
“We are playing a more local schedule with way less travel. That’s always great for the athletes instead of sitting on a bus for so long,” he said.
Read archive story: ARC-Aquinas rivalry revisited in 2023 scrimmage
Also on this year’s schedule is a match against the Academy of Richmond County. In the 1950s and 1960s, the two schools had a fierce rivalry and were part of a Thanksgiving tradition for many.
“It’s going to be good for both communities,” said Leonard. “We had scrimmage last year and got to see how big it was for each community.”
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years and is a Georgia Press Association award winner. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
