Standing room only – and the capacity crowd did not go home disappointed.
Friday night, Oct. 20 capped a busy Homecoming Week at Escalon High School. It featured not only a football game against rival Ripon but also brought the long-awaited official unveiling of the newly renovated Engel Field at Memorial Stadium. New football field, scoreboard and goal posts, new track and other upgrades including a state-of-the-art drainage system, all were shown off to the community and a ribbon cutting marked the beginning of a new era.
Melding the old with the new, longtime former coaches came back to crowd the east end zone to watch the game, former school teachers and administrators were on hand and legendary coach Mark Loureiro was coaxed into attending. He was an honorary captain, assisting with the coin toss at midfield, walking out with the Escalon captains prior to the contest.
“This is unbelievable; I told the kids, I spoke before the game, this is the first time I’ve been back in the locker room or on the field since 2016,” Loureiro said. “I’m just one of those guys, stayed away, you know I have complete confidence in Andrew (his successor, head varsity football coach Andrew Beam) and the other people, I didn’t want people to think I was looking over their shoulder. But I’m going to tell you right now, that this is so well deserved, for the community, for the school, for our football program, for our track program and for this town; they deserve this.”
It was a true Homecoming, Loureiro said, bringing to bear the ‘Tradition Never Graduates” saying that Escalon proudly claims.
Serving as the emcee for the evening was Steve Largent, an EHS alum who is now a teacher and coach, as well as handling the field announcing duties for home football games.
He provided a detailed history of Engel Field and the football program at Escalon High School, highlighting past and current coaches and the winning tradition the Cougars are known for throughout the region – and the state.
“The Escalon High School football ethic is deeply rooted in many generations of Escalonians, sharing a fraternity of being an Escalon Cougar,” Largent said. “Dreams of playing on Engel Field run rampant in this town … I can assure you that all of the alumni in the crowd as youth dreamt of playing on this field.”
He noted that, outside of football, Engel Field has played host to many other events that have helped tie the community together – Senior Sunrise and Senior Sunset, the setting for graduations and more.
“Engel Field is more than just a football field or track facility,” Largent added. “Engel Field at Memorial Stadium is a venue of dreams and memories … by being here tonight, you’re not only partaking in the fulfillment of a community’s dream, but you are also part of everybody’s stories and memories of tonight that will be passed down from generation to generation.”
District Superintendent Ricardo Chavez issued a ‘welcome home’ to all those in attendance and gave a detailed rundown of the project, from beginning to completion, outlining many of the specifics that went in to making the renovated field the showpiece that it is.
“This is a momentous occasion,” Chavez said of what he termed a ‘remarkable milestone’ in the community’s history. “A testament to the power of dedication, teamwork and the enduring spirit of our tight knit community.”
Several plaques of appreciation were presented to those involved in the renovation project as part of the dedication ceremony as well.
At halftime, senior Hannah Wampler was announced as the Homecoming Queen, presented with a crown, signed football and royal purple cape.
She was congratulated by fellow candidates Janesa Aldasoro, Sophia Martin, Macie Vickers and Alexia Guzman, while also cheered on by family and friends.
“I feel very honored and I’m so happy that all of my peers chose me; I’m very grateful that I got to experience this,” Wampler said. “You know, you don’t have to be popular or anything, you just be you and good things could come your way.”
For varsity head coach Andrew Beam the night was a true success, from the dedication of the field to the ‘coming home’ of so many alumni and the chance to put a win on the books to cap off the celebration.
“Having Lou (coach Mark Loureiro) in the locker room, it just gave me the chills, tears, excitement, nervousness; it was nostalgic,” Beam said.
As for the night itself, Beam said the snack bar went through 60 pizzas, some 300 chicken sandwiches and nearly 60 tri tips, plus the spirit shed did a banner business and there were thousands of dollars in receipts for tickets at the gate. He gave a special shout out to the school district’s team of John Lial and Steve Lewis for getting the field ready, painting the yard lines late into the afternoon on Friday, as well as dozens of people involved in the punch list of ‘to do’ items to prepare.
“Everybody was there on a night to remember,” Beam said.
