LIBERTY, NY – The Liberty Central School District officially opened its new athletic field and track with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 4, bringing together students, staff, Board of Education members, local officials, coaches, and community members to celebrate a significant investment in student athletics and wellness.

The ceremony began with a welcome and performance of the National Anthem by the Liberty High School Band before district leaders and student-athletes gathered to mark the occasion.

Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan thanked Board of Education members, local officials, and the Liberty community for their support in making the project a reality.

“Today is the first step toward our future,” Sullivan said. “This track and field is not just a place where our student-athletes compete or take part in physical education; it is a symbol that brings us together.”

He noted that the facility represents a long-term investment that will positively impact generations of Liberty students.

Board of Education Vice President Maureen Crescitelli and Athletic Director TJ Zehner also shared remarks highlighting the importance of providing students with high-quality athletic facilities.

Zehner spoke about the vision behind the project, referencing the well-known quote from Field of Dreams: “If you build it, they will come.”

“When we envisioned this new facility, that exact idea was at the heart of it,” Zehner said. “We knew that if we invested in a safe, state-of-the-art space for our kids, they would step up.”

He emphasized the opportunities the new complex will create for students, including encouraging participation in athletics, promoting teamwork and resilience, and supporting healthy lifestyles.

“This field is a promise to every student in the Liberty Central School District: your health, your potential, and your dreams matter to this community,” Zehner said.

Student-athletes also reflected on what the facility means to them.

Jose Moreno Reyes, senior captain of the boys varsity soccer team, said the new turf field will provide athletes with improved training opportunities and a competitive advantage.

“We are excited to be the first group of student-athletes to play on the new turf field,” Moreno Reyes said. “This field will allow us to get better practice when the weather is poor, improve our skills on a true surface, and increase our speed of play.”

He added that the team looks forward to playing in front of packed home crowds and continuing to make the Liberty community proud.

Audrey Krum, senior captain of the girls varsity soccer and track and field teams, spoke about the impact the facility will have on student-athletes across multiple sports.

“As a multi-sport student-athlete who will be getting a lot of use out of this new facility this year, I couldn’t be more thankful to be able to end my high school career on our new track and turf field,” Krum said.

She reflected on the challenges faced by the track program during construction, including practicing off-site and traveling to use other facilities. Despite those obstacles, the team achieved considerable success, including an indoor Division III championship in 2025 and a strong outdoor season.

“Having a new track will rejuvenate us again and help us compete at a higher level,” Krum said.

The celebration concluded with a ceremonial ribbon cutting featuring Board of Education members, administrators, student-athletes, coaches, and project partners, officially opening the facility for use.

The new athletic complex will serve students across the district for athletics, physical education classes, and community events, creating opportunities for current and future Redhawks to learn, compete, and grow.

“This field is officially yours,” Zehner told students. “Go out there, get active, and make us proud. Go Redhawks!”