‘It’s beautiful’: Larkin High School hosts first varsity games at new on-campus stadium

For the first time in its 64-year history, Larkin High School’s homecoming games came with a real home field advantage.

The Elgin school’s newly built on-campus stadium hosted its first varsity sporting events on Ray Haley Field Friday, with the boys soccer team taking on Geneva High School in the afternoon and the football team battling Streamwood under the lights in the evening.

Larkin Principal Jason Misicka said seeing the stadium full of people with games going on seemed “unreal,” especially given that they had just broken ground in February.

“To walk out here and see it completed, it blew my mind,” he said. “It far exceeded my expectations.”

Misicka, who is in his second year as principal but has been at the school for 10 years, said there was “a lot of energy” at the school on Friday.

“There has been a buzz around this building all week,” he said. “Everyone has been so excited.”

Senior football player Antonio Ventura came out of the locker room in pads to support the soccer team before his game. He said they hadn’t been allowed to even step on the field yet, so the excitement was really building.

“It’s definitely great to be able to play in our backyard,” he said. “We’re the first people to play football here, and we’ve been waiting, what, 64 years? I mean, this is going to be a big part of Larkin’s history.”

Larkin will play one more home football game this season on Friday, Oct. 16 against rival Elgin High School.

The $11.8 million complex features a 2,250-seat stadium with a turf field for football, soccer and other sports, and a high-performance track.

Bleacher seating is on the north and south sides of the stadium, with a press box on the home team’s south side. A 7,600-square-foot building on the west side of the field houses locker rooms, concessions and bathrooms.

The facility also features a 1,500-square-foot covered outdoor pavilion which served as an alumni welcome center for Friday’s homecoming games.

Jodi Esteva (nee Glaser), LHS class of 1986, was on the pom squad in high school. She remembers going across town to the shared Memorial Field at Elgin High School for home games.

“It was a great stadium, but they (Elgin High students) liked to rub our nose in it,” she said with a laugh.

Esteva arrived at the stadium Friday in time to catch the afternoon soccer game and check out the new complex.

“It’s actually amazing,” she said. “I never thought this would happen. And just look at it — it’s beautiful.”

The field at Royals Athletic Complex was named after the school’s first football coach and longtime athletic director Ray Haley. His three daughters spoke before the game.

“Our dad would be so humbled to have his name on this beautiful field,” said Kris Haley Buda.

rwest@dailyherald.com