Decades of Advocacy Culminate in Buchtel CLC Stadium Upgrades
Buchtel Community Learning Center students and community members gathered at 1040 Copley Road on September 5, 2026, to celebrate the official opening of a new $2.5 million stadium project. The renovation includes a modern press box, a refurbished concession stand, and a new track surrounding M. Montague Buckner Field. Separate restroom and storage facilities also complement the site, replacing outdated structures that stood on the campus for years.
The project marks the end of a persistent effort by the school's Parent Teacher Association to secure modern amenities. Diana Autry, the former school board president and current PTA vice president, led much of the push for these updates. Her history with the project stretches back to when the group attempted to repurpose artificial turf from the decommissioned Rubber Bowl stadium. While that effort fell short despite raising $20,000, the group continued to improve the grounds through smaller projects, including planting shrubbery and upgrading field goal posts.
Students Leave a Lasting Mark on Campus Facilities
Vocational students played a direct role in the visual transformation of the stadium. Angeleyea Jackson and Ammar Alawamola, both seniors in the masonry and construction program, spent several days during their summer break carving the wings for the griffins that now sit atop the concession stand. The students used PVC sheets and scaled architectural images, refining the pieces with electric sanders and dremels before final installation.
For Jackson, the construction pathway was an unexpected shift after her preferred enrollment in sports medicine reached capacity. She now intends to pursue a career in electrical work, masonry, or carpentry upon graduation. Alawamola, who moved to Akron from Syria, also expressed pride in the finished product. Masonry teacher Matthew Simpson noted the impact of having students build permanent fixtures for their own school. The griffins are now prominently displayed to serve as a permanent testament to the work of the class of 2026.
A Legacy of Resilience and Future Expansion
Principal LaCresia Denson addressed the crowd at the 50-yard line, noting that the school’s pride has persisted despite the historical limitations of their facilities. Buchtel has a deep athletic tradition, including state championships in 1987 and 1988, and a long list of alumni who advanced to play in the NFL. Denson emphasized that the new facilities serve as a tool for students to maintain their focus on both character and achievement.
Student leadership echoed this sentiment. RJ McCraney, the head drum major for the marching band, described the upgrades as a standard for future classes to uphold. The district remains busy with other capital projects, including the upcoming construction of North High School and a combined campus for Pfeiffer Elementary and Miller South School for the Visual and Performing Arts. For Buchtel supporters, the focus is already shifting to the next item on their list: adding permanent lights to the stadium. As board member and alumnus Summer Hall stated, the facility is finally something the 1040 Copley Road community can claim as a point of institutional pride.