Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Go-Devil's Stadium Opens In '99

One of the biggest stories of the year in Gurdon was the inauguration of the new Go-Devil Stadium.

This was one of the projects the Gurdon School District had promised would be done if the district's voters passed a 3 mill increase. They did.

In addition, a physical education building for Cabe Middle School, a new field house for the Devils and $800,000 in renovations at Gurdon Primary School.

Work on the PE building went well and quickly, while there were some problems getting the field and stadium ready.

One headache the district had during the construction was extremely dry weather conditions. This made it tough to get the dirtwork done on the field for sodding purposes.

However, this situation was overcome.

Then, with the bleacher skeletons in place, there was a delay in getting the seating.

It seems the company the district had contracted the seating from had won a larger contract from a race track and pushed back the smaller clients.

But, everything worked out as planned in the long run as the bleachers were finished in time for Gurdon's first home game of the season.

This was played Friday, Sept. 10, with the Devils hosting the Beavers of Lake Village.

It was a perfect night for football and a dedication.

Fans arrived at the new facilities an hour early to look around, with every available parking spot being taken.

The actual dedication ceremonies took place at halftime, following the performance of the Go-Devil Marching Band.

Devil football, according to GHS Principal Leonard Gills, has been around since 1919, with the team having a long and proud winning tradition.

Superintendent Bobby Smithson followed, recognizing the efforts of those who helped make the stadium a reality and not just a dream.

Special recognition went to the Horace C. Cabe Foundation, the Lewis Cabe Foundation, First State Bank, former Clark County Judge Grady Runyan and Austin and Mary Lou Capps.

Special guest for the night was 4th Congressional District Rep. Jay Dickey, who called it a "wonderful thing."

He said the taxpayers gave the district money to build the stadium, comparing it to what is done in Washington by Congress.

Former Devils were asked to come down from the stands for special recognition and had the field officially dedicated to them.

The only blemish on the evening's festivities was the outcome of the game. Gurdon lost 15-12.