There was a $16.2 million wow factor in store for those who attended Ceres Unified School District’s ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday morning celebrating completion of the first phase of the Central Valley High School athletic stadium.
“A milestone like this doesn’t happen by chance,” CUSD Superintendent Dr. Amy Peterman said. “It took the support of an entire community deeply committed to its young people to get to this moment.”
“Now here we are,” she added. "Our Hawks finally have a home not just on Friday nights, but for all the events, competitions, and celebrations in the years ahead.”
Hundreds of community members attended the much-anticipated event, including Ceres Unified School District leaders, Ceres School Board and Ceres City Council members, representatives for local politicians, and Hawk football and cheerleaders.
“The stadium came to life,” said Ceres mayor and Central Valley High School freshman football assistant coach Javier Lopez. “I felt like a little kid again. It was a lot to take in. This is something that makes the entire school whole. It means a lot to the athletic program. We have an incoming freshman class that will get to play football all four years at the school. That’s awesome. I’m very excited for everyone.”
“It was an amazing site to see,” said CUSD trustee Brian de la Porte. “I’m really proud as a district we were able to accomplish this. A lot of people played a part in making this happen. It was the right thing to do. Both high schools should have really good facilities.”
De la Porte watched CVHS football players, cheerleaders and students were running towards the field when they opened the gates, the kids and marveled at how special the moment was, remarking “that’s what it’s all about.”
“Central Valley has everything new, which is pretty cool. The last missing piece was the stadium. It’s a huge thing for school culture to have that sense of pride.”
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was staged just inside the entrance of the stadium.
Ceres Unified School District broke ground on the first phase of Central Valley’s Stadium in June of 2025.
Phase I of the project consists of a:
- 1,800-seat home grandstand and press box made of steel;
- 1,000-seat visitor grandstand;
- Ticket/restroom/concessions building;
- Extended bus loading zone and sidewalk;
- Artificial turf field and all-weather track;
- Fencing and improvements to the parking lot and the entrance to the stadium.
Second and third phases will include a home and visitor tool room, and a restroom/concession stand on the visitor side. Funding for those phases will be about $5 million.
The project provides handicapped accessible facilities, including restrooms and bleachers, ramps and a designated wheelchair seating area.
Since opening in the fall of 2005, Central Valley football teams have had to play all of their home games across town at Ceres High School.
History will be made on Aug. 28 when the Hawks host the Pitman Pride. Kickoff slated for 7 p.m.
“Every single player in the (football) program is excited,” remarked Central Valley lineman Santiago Garcia. “We finally have our own field. I’m so thankful I get to play on it because it’s my senior year.”
“It was really cool to see the whole community come out,” said Derrick Goblirsch, Central Valley football head coach/P.E. teacher. “It’s a big deal for everybody, not just for us and our school. It’s going to bring more pride to our campus. I hope everyone appreciates what we have and we can use it to our advantage. I’m grateful they made it happen.”
Councilwoman Rosalinda Vierra, whose four children and a nephew attended and were involved with sports at CVHS said: “Our family along with so many others waited years to see this day finally become a reality.”
State Assemblyman Juan Alanis congratulated Ceres in a social media post calling the stadium “an exciting investment represents a lasting commitment to students, athletics, and the entire community. Hawk Stadium will provide student-athletes with a place to compete, grow, and create lasting memories for generations to come.”
Central Valley Athletic Director Greg Magni said the students deserve the new addition.
“They don’t have to go anymore and travel to home games. They have a home. And we can do a good job at this school of giving kids a home. We make it a safe place. We prioritize academics and we get them to the next level. And now it’s time to do that on the athletic field as well.”
Those attending the ceremony included Lisa Mantarro-Moore, representing Congressman Adam Gray; Narinder Bahia, representing State Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil; Danielle Morgart, representing Assemblyman Juan Alanis; Valerie Escobar, representing Stanislaus County Superintendent of Schools Scott Kuykendall; Mayor Javier Lopez and councilmembers Vierra, Daniel Martinez and Cerina Otero; CUSD Board of Trustees David McConnell, Cynthia Ruiz, Valli Wigt, Lourdes Perez, Alondra Reyes, Hugo Molina and Brian de la Porte; former CUSD Board Trustee Mike Welsh; CUSD Deputy Superintendent Dr. Dan Pangrazio; Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Dr. Kristi Britton; Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services Dr. Paul Rutishauser; Assistant Superintendent of Personnel Services, Emily Harry; Ceres Police Chief Police Trenton Johnson; and Modesto Fire Department Battalion Chief Ruben Esparza.
Courier Managing Editor Jeff Benziger contributed to this report.
