Lazier Field Campaign - A Success!

Thanks in part to a $200,000 grant from the National Football League’s Grassroots Program and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation of Chicago, ETHS lacrosse, football and soccer players can now practice and play their games on a superior, state-of-the-art athletic field.

According to ETHS Athletic Director Chris Livatino, more than 2,000 Evanston youth will benefit from the new field. Donations from alumni and other community sources were also vital to the project.

Jim Ossyra, President of the ETHS Alumni Association and Chairman of the Lazier Field Turf Project Committee spearheaded the effort to raise funds from football alumni and Evanston parents and supporters. The fundraising campaign started in earnest in October of 2007 in conjunction with the dedication of the field in honor of legendary football coach Murney Lazier. Thanks to Jim’s efforts, close to $140,000 in contributions came from "Murney’s Men", the football alumni who were coached by Mr. Lazier. An additional $50,000 was contributed by the Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust.

The ETHS District 202 Educational Foundation will continue to solicit donations in support of the Lazier Field Turf Project as well as for the new baseball and softball facilities.

"The new field turf is just what the school and the community needed to allow the sport programs the opportunity to participate and compete on an excellent surface regardless of weather conditions. Most colleges and NFL teams will be advancing toward the new field turf in the near future."