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http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/inde...elated_stories

Atwood Stadium preserves its history, brings back high school sports

By Sarah Schuch | sschuch@mlive.com
on May 06, 2015 at 4:41 PM, updated May 06, 2015 at 4:44 PM

FLINT, MI – Flint Northwestern Varsity Football Coach Fred Jackson remembers the glory days of playing football at Atwood Stadium – the cheering fans, the almost-stadium, the excitement.

Come this fall, high school sports will return to the historic stadium thanks to more than $2 million raised for renovations and new turf.

Kettering University and city of Flint officials said they believe the use of the stadium will bring a new life and energy to that part of the city.

"Atwood's renovation is another sign of Flint's rebirth," said Flint Mayor Dayne Walling.

The 11,000-seat Atwood Stadium on West Third Avenue – now University Avenue – was dedicated on June 8, 1929. Construction began on the structure in fall 1928, according to the Atwood Stadium website, and was completed the following spring.

Over the years, the stadium has played host to high school football and baseball, a visit by Sen. John F. Kennedy during his 1960 presidential campaign, as well as boxing matches and concerts.

Last fall, high schools stopped using the stadium because the turf wasn't up to par, but through a fundraising campaign and many donations that will change this fall as Flint Southwestern Academy, Flint Northwestern High School and Powers Catholic High School return to the stadium for home games.

On top of more than $300,000 in community donations, the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation announced a $1.75 million grant to bring new turf, renovations and improvements to help reopen the stadium in time for the 2015 high school football season.

Diplomat's recent gift will cover costs for the high schools to play home games there this season.

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