The Heart of Beaumont Campaign - New Turf Field Will Be St. Angela Merici Field

With more than half of Beaumont’s student body involved in athletics, our facilities are important for us to be competitive in recruiting and supporting our students. This spring we will install a new regulation-size turf field to replace the non-regulation size grass field we currently have. The new field will provide a much-needed space for practice, games, summer camps, and clinics.

President Wendy Hoke sees athletics as an important part to a balanced student life, “Athletics are important for so many reasons, not just the life lessons it teaches but the focus it places on our girls’ physical well-being.”

Rita Murphy Carfagna ’71, and her husband Peter, have been long time supporters of Blue Streak sports and of the Merici Scholarship Challenge which they helped initiate in 2019. Their leadership gift made the renovation project of Conway Field possible. The new field name will be St. Angela Merici Field, inspired by St. Angela’s Fourth Counsel, “You need not be anxious, if you do your best.”

“Athletics is such a strong part of the Beaumont experience. It can only be made stronger and better by improving the athletic facilities,” Peter shared. “I think that it’s really important to put our best foot forward in athletics. Not simply to win and be competitive, but because Beaumont student athletes deserve the best facilities to help them achieve at their highest levels.” Beaumont Athletic Director Tim Ertle and our athletic committee held an extensive search for the best type of turf field to meet the needs of our female athletes. “We toured schools all over Northeast Ohio and we were able to physically walk on the different surfaces to see what we liked. From our research, we chose what best suits the needs of our female athletes. Merici Field will be a state-of-the-art field for years to come,” said Ertle. Construction will begin in Spring 2022.

TIM ERTLE, BEAUMONT ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

What do you enjoy most about being a part of Blue Streak Athletics?

I have been at Beaumont for five years now, so I have been able to see a few classes from start to finish. I have witnessed how their high school sports experiences impacted them, whether it was by challenging them to step outside of a comfort zone, trying something new, persevering through an injury, or working through tough times with coaches and teammates. The reality is that only one team gets to end their season with a state championship, so athletic careers usually end on a tough note. I surely enjoy seeing the wins and deep tournament runs, but what I really enjoy the most is seeing what the girls become. I meet a lot of students on Day One as freshmen and maybe they’re a little unsure of themselves, and as you get to know them over the years they walk away as confident young women who will go on to do great things in the world.

What advantages do our student athletes have at an all-girls school?

I think we’re fortunate that we get to do everything with the best interests of the girls in mind. I think at a lot of schools, there is probably a misconception that the weight room belongs to the boys or the football team. We don’t have to deal with any of that here: the fitness center and our strength and conditioning are geared towards making our young women the best student-athletes they can be. Our soccer team doesn’t have to share field time with a boys team, nor does our basketball team split the gym with anyone in the winter. All our resources go towards the girls.

Describe the school spirit at Beaumont.

It’s really cool how the student-athletes at Beaumont support one another. We often hear about the Beaumont sisterhood, and it really is exemplified by our school spirit. In the fall, we had coaches letting their teams out of practice early so their kids could go support Senior Night festivities for another sport. They thought it was important to be there for their classmates. Even during the pandemic when we had ticket restrictions, we had kids begging to get their hands on a ticket because it was important for them to be there for one another. I have had a few officials mention that they got a kick of our mighty student section. The girls are clever and respectful. They love to bring the energy and support their classmates.

COURTNEY YOUNG ’06, ASSISTANT ATHLETIC DIRECTOR AND TRACK & FIELD COACH

Beaumont has been fortunate to have you as an Assistant Athletic Director, Cross Country coach, Track & Field coach and as an outstanding athlete. What drew you back to Beaumont and what have you enjoyed most about being on the coaching side of athletics?

What drew me back is that I love Beaumont! I truly enjoyed my time here as a student and athlete. Beaumont is a special place and I wanted to give back in some way and was fortunate enough to have the opportunity initially through coaching and now as a full-time member of the athletic department.

What I have enjoyed most about coaching is celebrating with our athletes when they reach a goal that they have worked hard for, whether it is related to the sport or the classroom. Seeing the excitement after running a personal best time, getting a good grade on a test that they were worried about, winning a scholastic art award, being inducted into an honors society; being able to share those moments and see their growth as young women is what I love most.

What was a favorite memory for you as a student athlete?

My favorite memory as a student-athlete is the time spent with my teammates. Bus rides, making up silly songs and nicknames (that we still use today!), trying to distract each other during races, crazy outfit days, being there to pick up a teammate if they had a bad performance, and celebrating with each other after a good meet. Those are my favorite memories as a Blue Streak.

How would you describe our student athletes today?

I would describe Beaumont’s student-athletes today as versatile. Often athletes are placed in a box and their identities are defined by their role as athletes. Beaumont studentathletes do not check just one box and do not limit themselves in what they choose to pursue. There are many varied interests among our student-athletes and they pursue those interests in addition to their commitment to athletics.

What characteristics of a Blue Streak athlete highlight who we are as a community?

The characteristics of a Blue Streak that highlight who we are as a community would be fearlessness, confidence, courage, faithfulness, compassion, and leadership. Blue Streaks are always looking for a way to make the world around them a better place, to be fair and just to all, and to be the catalyst for change. This is a testament to the Ursuline tradition which continues to shape Beaumont’s community.

Original Article From: https://www.beaumontschool.org/news/2022/05/31/beaumont-news-spring-2022-the-heart-of-beaumont-campaign