Construction on the new grandstand at Brownstown Central High School is well underway. The old Blevins Memorial Stadium has been torn down, and a new one will be up by the start of football season. The concrete stadium has seen generations of track and field and football fans pass through its gates since it was erected in 1965. The former stadium holds a special place in many hearts around the community and beyond.

Jon Robison

Former player and band member, current 56ers (football) coordinator and PA announcer (’75)

Blevins Memorial Stadium will be missed because it stood for so long — more than 50 years — from the beginning of the program in 1965-66, until its final game, the 30-7 regional win over Evansville Memorial. There have been almost 300 varsity games played there, and if you add in the junior varsity games, freshman games and junior high games, you would probably have more than 900, and that doesn’t take into account the youth football games and the track meets. A whole lot of memories were created, both on the field and in the stands. I hate to see it taken down, but time and deterioration created a need for it to be replaced. I’m sure that its namesake — Mr. Jim Blevins — would have agreed, as well. He was a big part of the formative years of the program as an assistant coach and the athletic director. I’m sure that he would not have wanted to see sentiment stand in the way of progress.

Sarah Baker

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Former track athlete (’08)

My favorite memories were probably our home meets. It was always a great feeling competing at home and winning your event. Brownstown has always had great fans for all athletics, and it was great seeing them all in our stands and parked along Elm Street supporting all of us.

The stadium means a lot to me. I put in a lot of hours practicing discus and shot put for our meets and even more preparing for sectionals and all the way to the state meet. I was lucky enough to be on the track team at Indiana State and travel to different states for meets, but nothing really compares to your glory days in high school. There’s just something about Brownstown athletics that sticks with you forever. I’ll always support our school and always be proud to be a Lady Brave.

Jade Peters

Former football player (’97)

Blevins Memorial Stadium represents character and pride for me. It has always been a staple in our school landscape. The stadium being named after James Blevins, who was tragically shot at school, adds great dignity and honor to the stadium. It has helped create a great atmosphere for football as well as a great place for the community to come together and support their local high school.

Reed May

Head football coach (since ’93)

It’s the only stadium they’ve had in school history. You only have that for a historical perspective for anyone who played here. There are a lot of memories over the 24 years. The tradition we’ve had is important, and the stadium is a part of that. When I came in 1993, having the whole idea of a concrete stadium was neat. When I interviewed for the job back then, the concrete structure was unique. It has some nostalgia, but it has been used pretty good. It’s neat from a historical aspect, but it’s time to move on.

Maria Anderson

Former track athlete (’12)

One of my favorite memories of Blevins Memorial Stadium is running down the final stretch knowing your friends, family and teammates were sitting there cheering you on as you crossed the finish line. Blevins Memorial Stadium was like a home to me during my career at Brownstown Central High School. Many Friday nights were spent there cheering on our football team. Blevins Memorial Stadium holds so many stories that contain sweat, laughs, tears and smiles. Blevins Memorial Stadium will always hold a special place in the heart of any Brownstown Central fan.

Cam Cockerham

Former football player and current assistant coach (’09)

My favorite memory growing up was in the 2001 football season. We were really, really good and undefeated in the regional going up against Evansville Mater Dei. It was on a Saturday, and it was unbelievably packed here. I think I was in fourth grade, and at that point in time, I knew I really wanted to play football. I was like, ‘Wow! This is going to be so much fun.’ I watched the entire game between two light poles and knew that this was something I wanted to be a part of. I think we still do that for the young kids. They want to be a part of the tradition.

Tammy Lewis

Former dancer, fan (’83)

My mother was in the first graduating class of Brownstown Central High School in 1963. I graduated there and was involved in dancing, and both of my boys have graduated from Brownstown (2011 and 2015), so experiencing the stadium with them playing football was a whole different degree of love for Blevins Memorial Stadium. I would go June 1 to mark my seats off for the upcoming year. For several years, it became our home away from home. The football families we had are not replaceable and are friends for life. I am excited to see the new improvements with a new stadium and a new view from Elm Street, but I have to say driving by with it gone is a heartbreaker. I am so glad my boys both had senior pictures behind the stadium with the Blevins sign in view and also sitting in the stadium in front of the press box. That stadium will forever be in the Lewis family’s hearts with wonderful memories.