McAfee Field Dedication Tonight

HANCOCK, MI – Hancock Public Schools and Finlandia University will officially dedicate Finlandia’s McAfee Field during half-time of tonight’s Hancock Central High School varsity football game versus Calumet High School. Kickoff is at 7:00 p.m.

Hancock Central High School principal John Sanregret, Finlandia president Philip Johnson, and Finlandia athletic director Chris Salani will make brief presentations to officially recognize and thank all those in the community who helped make possible the building of McAfee Field, which is part of “Campus and Community: Together for Good,” an innovative exchange of resources among the City of Hancock, Hancock Public Schools, and Finlandia.

McAfee Field hosted it first Hancock Public Schools athletic contest August 25. Since then, numerous middle school, high school, and Finlandia athletic contests have taken place on the regulation all-weather competition surface. Stadium lighting and a 27 ft. by 25 ft. electronic scoreboard are also fully in use.

McAfee Field represents completion of the first phase of the construction of a full 11.4 acre collegiate athletic complex on the former Condon Field.

A key part of the Campus and Community initiative is the “Hancock Award,” Finlandia University’s 12-year, $4.2 million pledge in tuition remission awards for Hancock Central High School graduates.

This fall semester, a cohort of 13 Hancock Central High School graduates began classes at Finlandia, joining 37 returning Hancock High graduates who have taken advantage of the Hancock Award.

Also part of the Campus and Community initiative is the 75,000-square-foot historic former middle school building adjacent to Finlandia’s main campus. Recent renovations to that building include new auditorium seating and updates to the building’s façade and lobby. More extensive future renovations will accommodate the growth of Finlandia’s College of Health Sciences.

A joint committee of local officials, including representation from Hancock Public Schools, the City of Hancock, and Finlandia University, oversees the agreement.

For additional information about tonight’s half-time presentation, please contact Finlandia athletic director Chris Salani at 906-487-7378.