It’s So Much More Than Than Just High School Football

This fall, Archbishop McNicholas High School played its first home varsity football game, beating rival Turpin High School with a score of 21-7. Aronoff, Rosen & Hunt was thrilled to be a part of the festivities as the school kicked off its first varsity season to enjoy home field advantage.

AR&H attended because they were involved with Project Paradise, the development of a new athletic complex for the school. Numerous hurdles were overcome in that project in order to achieve the glory that is now Penn Station Stadium in Anderson Township. AR&H was honored to be a part of helping the school clear one of the major ones – zoning challenges for the new bleachers and press box.

Managing Partner Richard Paolo and other AR&H attorneys led the way in negotiating with neighbors of the complex over their concerns – from traffic to noise to lighting. While the field doesn’t currently have lights, necessitating a 5:30 p.m. kick-off, it now has the stands to accommodate a home crowd worthy of its varsity football team.

“As in any zoning case, the issues are complex, and it can be emotional for homeowners and institutions alike,” said Paolo. “We helped the school reach its goal by working with the community.”

Project Paradise included a new multi-purpose turf field, open in 2010, concession stands and plaza, an eight-lane all-weather track, which opened in 2012, fencing and perimeter trees. While the men’s and women’s soccer teams and the freshmen and reserve football teams have been using the field for years, it wasn’t until this season that the stadium could be considered complete with the addition of the press box and bleachers to accommodate fans for a varsity game.

The project was made possible by donations from the McNicholas community, including from Jeff Osterfield, class of 1978 and the owner and founder of Penn Station; Total Quality Logistics (TQL); Phil and Marilyn Finn, class of 1967; and Tom and Susie Siemers.

Go Rockets!