Wildcats celebrate official reopening of C. Ashley Morgan Field

October 11, 2023

Warwick Valley Central School District and Wildcats Athletics welcomed everyone to the new C. Ashley Morgan Field on homecoming weekend! Unofficially, the first home football game played on the new field was a Wildcats win against Binghamton on Friday, September 1, in a “Week 0” matchup. Officially, the Wildcats christened the new multi-sport field and track before Saturday’s homecoming football game against Wallkill.

Warwick voters carefully considered and approved a capital project in 2021 that included significant upgrades to the district’s athletics facilities, particularly to C. Ashley Morgan Field.

“I would like to thank our community for its continued support of our capital projects and for making this new multi-sport athletic field and expanded track a reality for our students,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. David Leach. “These improved facilities — not to mention the other district-wide upgrades that are part of that capital project project — show our district and our community’s commitment to providing Warwick students with unique resources and experiences that will impact their lives and futures in so many ways. We will all enjoy this jewel of Warwick for years to come.”

Saturday’s opening ceremony included a rendition of the National Anthem by Warwick’s own Julia Roome, fresh from her blind audition on television’s “The Voice.” Then, a number of Wildcat athletes were recognized for their recent state champions and All-American status.

NYS Champion
Luke Beattie won a state championship in the pole vault at the New York State Public High School Athletic Association 2023 Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Luke was team captain in track and field last year as a freshman, and one of the top 10 freshman pole vaulters in the country.

Indoor Track & Field All-Americans
The 1,600-meter sprint medley relay team of Erin Smith, Lily Beattie, Hannah Cann, and Julia Singh (`23) for their sixth overall finish at the Nike Indoor Track and Field Nationals. Lily Beattie was also named two-time All-American in pole vault. Six cheerleaders were also recognized as Varsity Cheer All-Americans: Maddie Pacelli, Ava Sheils, Taylor Secord, Abigail Willner, Jolie O’Neill, and Kiera Sarine.

“As an alumni, community member and athletic director I am very proud of the upgrades to all of our facilities,” said Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Gregory Sirico. “Coach St. Lawrence got us started in the late ’80s with “BACK the TRACK” and then the St. Lawrence brothers helped us LIGHT the LIGHTS and now our community has rallied to support the many needed upgrades to our athletic facilities including the eight-lane track, irrigation on both the Tom Lorgan Field and C Ashley Morgan Field and the much-needed bathrooms at both sites. Great stuff for our students and community in Wildcat country.”

The football field is now 185 feet wide and features a natural grass field suitable for hosting multiple sports. The former six-lane track is now eight. The field was completely re-sodded in July into a tightly manicured surface kept lush and green by a newly designed and installed irrigation system. The new rubberized running surface on the track, like the sod, is an athlete-friendly enhancement that will reduce wear and tear on young competitors. Track & Field events that were formerly held on the football field, now have their own dedicated competition space behind the end zone. The new restrooms, conveniently located adjacent to C. Ashley Morgan Field behind the bleachers, are open during home games and other public events like graduations.

Everyone had a great time celebrating the reopening of C. Ashley Morgan Field, despite the weather. The Wildcats won in dramatic comeback fashion against the Wallkill Panthers. You can check out a photo gallery from the ceremony below.

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Wildcats celebrate official reopening of C. Ashley Morgan Field

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