On Aug. 15, the school community gathered in the Bishop Noll Fieldhouse for an all-school Mass, officiated by the Most Rev. Robert J. McClory, Bishop of the Diocese of Gary. Father Jeff Burton, Father Pat Kalich, Father Dominic Bertino, and Deacon Martin Brown joined in the celebration. Following the Mass, the clergy blessed the new athletic stadium, formally dedicating the space for student athletes and future champions.

   “Bless this place and all those gathered here, grant all of them that they may find welcome and experience joy, sportsmanship, teamwork and friendship,” Bishop McClory said.

   The excitement continued on Aug. 19 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held just before the girls' soccer game, the first official competition on the new field. 

   Principal Lorenza Jara Pastrick '01 said, "This is an incredible moment for our athletic programs and athletes. They can now showcase their talents in a space they can truly be proud of. Our school motto this year is 'In It to Win It,' and this new stadium embodies that spirit perfectly."

   The Bishop Noll community will continue to celebrate the stadium's opening throughout September. Alumni, families and friends are invited to attend the first home football game on the new field, taking place on Sept. 6. A dedication ceremony will precede the 7 p.m. kick-off, as the Warriors face off against the Whiting Oilers.

   The festivities continue with the annual Homecoming game on Sept. 27. The night kicks off with a 7 p.m. football game on the new turf field, followed by a Tailgate Party in the BNI fieldhouse. This celebratory event offers food, drinks, and a chance to reconnect with fellow Warriors (21+ only). Tickets for the Tailgate Party are $35 and can be purchased online at bishopnoll.org.

   “The Tailgate is our most popular alumni event,” said Ryan Julian, director of advancement at Bishop Noll. “Alumni love to return to the fieldhouse, reconnect and reminisce.”

   Sponsorship opportunities are also available for those who wish to further support Bishop Noll's exciting future. Contact Juli Sandoval at jsandoval@bishopnoll.org for details.

   This state-of-the-art athletic stadium is a testament to the generosity of BNI stakeholders. It will serve all students, with a particular focus on enhancing the experiences of the football, soccer and track teams. This milestone marks the first major outdoor improvement to the Bishop Noll campus since the current classroom facility opened in 1963. It comes at a time of tremendous growth for the school, which is experiencing its highest enrollment decades. The new stadium not only provides a competitive edge for athletics, but also signifies a renewed commitment to fostering a vibrant and dynamic school community.