Portsmouth’s Spartan Stadium
Press Release
Monday, July 15 proved to be a historic day for both the City of Portsmouth and Shawnee State University, as after passing two previous readings unanimously, the Portsmouth City Council passed the third and final reading of legislation in unanimous fashion, which officially starts the ball on transferring the properties at Spartan Stadium, Branch Rickey Park, and adjacent properties that ultimately amount to 23 acres altogether, to SSU in another electrifying vision that the city, community and Shawnee State University all came together on.
Gerald Cadogan’s experiences with Spartan Stadium, in particular, are special as a whole. From his time playing at Spartan Stadium as a standout offensive lineman for Portsmouth, which went 39-11 during his four seasons with the Trojans – and accumulated a 19-3 overall record at the historic venue — the facility, today, represents not only exceptional history of years past, but holds with it exceptional history that can be made in the future.
“This is a full circle moment for me,” Cadogan said. “My athletic career started at Spartan Stadium with memories of hard work, blood, sweat, and tears poured in to practices and two-a-days to win games as a Portsmouth High School athlete. The ability for our student athletes to have a stadium of their own, along with a baseball and softball field, enables our coaches continue to go and recruit high level athletes to come to Portsmouth, Ohio and play in historic stadiums. We are definitely excited about this expansion.”
In all, the complex will serve as a future home for SSU varsity team sports, intramural programs, student recreation, as well as for community youth leagues, tournaments, and camps. The initial concept envisions new or upgraded fields for baseball, softball, soccer, and track and field that can be used year-round, day and night.
The project also serves as an investment into the East End of Portsmouth — and investments into facilities that have seen some of the greatest athletes take part in some of the city’s greatest memories. Cadogan, College Football Hall of Famer Chuck Ealey, who played at Notre Dame High School and led the Titans to the first of its two Ohio AP State Championships in 1967, and well-known standouts Dutch Clark and Glenn Presnell, all played at Spartan Stadium for multiple seasons — among many other well-respected figures.
Branch Rickey Park, meanwhile, has had a who’s-who of some of the greatest baseball talent to ever play at the facility. Multi-time All-Stars Larry Hisle, Al Oliver and Don Gullett appeared at the facility, as did Gene Tenace, among many established baseball talents that have come through.
The excitement of having such historic property, especially considering the memories at both facilities, is terrific.
