In the Stands

November 21, 2023

This section of the old stadium, built in 1958, had no handrails, no ramps, and no accessible seating. This structure was demolished and its replacement is fully ADA compliant.

When the first thought of school formulates inside your mind, perhaps you think of the word homework. Rather than thinking of that, ponder the activities and times filled with entertainment.

Such as the classic FNLs’ (Friday Night Lights) and the football games. As well as our other exceptional sporting events held within our stadium.

In our WildCat stands, everything and everyone has partaken the same “universal” experience as those who’ve before.

“We about froze in the stands as the wind would whip through the bleachers. We had blankets and layers underneath our band uniforms to keep warm. I remember my fingers would be numb from the cold, by the end of our performance,” says an anonymous alumnus.

Dallastown High School’s stands and bleachers have provided memories for the district – though these seats and stairs seem so insignificant, they contradict what is expected because these stands have made “short-term” yet meaningful memories.

“I wasn’t into football, but I did enjoy lots of Friday nights at the stadium! A few of my favorite memories were eating Bricker’s french fries, sitting on the hill during the game, and watching my friends perform with the marching band,” says an anonymous alumnus of 2006.

What is to be expected from the construction is that the steel bleachers will remain, but the concrete stands will be gone and reconstructed to be safer and more practical.

So for the time being, the Dallastown district will reminisce about this year’s football games in our “old-current” stadium. And as a school, we will hold onto these fond memories and think of the past when it used to have its original structure and authenticity from 1958.