Recognizing Excelsior Springs Football and the Official Opening of Tiger Stadium

RECOGNIZING EXCELSIOR SPRINGS FOOTBALL AND THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF TIGER STADIUM -- (Extensions of Remarks - September 13, 2004)

Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize the Excelsior Springs Football Tigers, a team steeped in history with a promising future, thanks in part to the new Tiger Stadium, which is officially opening tonight, September 10, 2004.

Excelsior Springs football was first played about 1910 on "Old Lady Reed's Field" near Superior Street. In 1920, games were moved to Association Park, a location that later became the site of the old high school football field that officially became Roosevelt Field in 1938. The stone wall surrounding the field was built during the FDR era as a WPA project to provide area jobs after the Great Depression. In 1984, major renovations brought the field and track up to state regulations and new lighting was installed. In the '90s, however, the location started to become a problem: the field was plagued by repeated flooding from Fishing River, the field was now across town from the high school, and parking was more inadequate with each passing year. Early in the 2000s, the community passed a bond issue to build a Performing Arts Center, which opened in fall 2003, a new Career Center building, which will open in January 2005, and this Tiger Stadium, officially opening tonight September 10, 2004.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in congratulating the people of Excelsior Springs on their new Tiger Stadium, and wishing the Tigers the best of luck in their new home.