Judge Memorial 'digs in' on new sports field and stadium complex

Intermountain Catholic

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Soil is dug and tossed by dignitaries while Judge Memorial Catholic High School cheerleaders add to the enthusiasm. Dignitaries included Salt Lake City Councilwoman Nancy Saxton (second from left), Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon, Salt Lake City Mayor ?Rocky? Anderson, Diocesan Administrator Msgr. J. Terrence Fitzgerald (third from right) Judge Memorial Principal James Hamburge, and EDA Architect John Shuttleworth. IC photo by Barbara S. Lee

SALT LAKE CITY — Another chapter in the history of Catholicism in Utah was written again Feb. 28 when ground was broken for the first phase of a multi-phased construction project at Judge Memorial Catholic High School.

The ground-breaking ceremony called for the closure of an entire city block as dignitaries, diocesan representatives, Catholic schools representatives, and students and teachers from Judge Memorial and Our Lady of Lourdes Elementary School gathered to officially kick off Phase One of the project, a $10 million sports field and 1,600-seat stadium.

The Judge Memorial Jazz Band played "Blue Skies" to try to ward away the clouds and wind while Lourdes students danced in the street.

Judge Memorial Principal James Hamburge paid tribute to Mary Judge, who in 1909 built a miner’s hospital on the site that is now Judge Memorial. He recognized the "Magnificent Seven," fathers of Judge Memorial students who cleared and prepared the original athletic field that has served the school well for more than 20 years.

"We are on sacred ground," Hamburge said. "It was here that 85 years ago, Mary Judge built a hospital. We want to make sure Judge Memorial Catholic High School is here for another 85 years, serving the needs of the Catholic community in Utah.

Father Joseph M. Mayo, rector of the Cathedral of the Madeleine, blessed the land and the people present, reminding all of the sacrifices made by the first priests, sisters, and parents who supported the fledgling hospital, then school.

Architect John Shuttleworth of Edward Daniels Architects, said in developing a design for the sports complex, he was encouraged to "think big," but keep in mind that the entire development project, that will eventually include the sports complex, a performing arts center, a new library, and computer center, all must be contained within the school’s current 4.3 acres.

"For the school to leave this site would be a great loss of history and legacy," Shuttleworth said. "While we are used to thinking of building a high school on a 35-40 acre plot, we respect the needs of the community to keep the school here... so we are doing our best to work together to make this miracle happen and keep it as an important part of the community."

Several people, including Mayor Anderson, spoke of the uniqueness of having a large high school in the center of a community and a residential neighborhood. Hamburge introduced two members of the Douglas Neighborhood Association who have worked with the school on the expansion plans and their impact on the surrounding neighborhood. 

Mayor Anderson, a parent of a Judge Memorial graduate, praised the teachers and students for welcoming his son and making him feel "a part of the Judge Memorial family" when he first arrived as a new student. 

"At Judge Memorial my son found community and friendship," he said. "He found welcoming teachers who genuinely cared for him. I’m proud that a school that brings so much to the community in your volunteer efforts and your service programs, is right in the center of our city. And it is gratifying to see people of the city and the neighborhood stepping up dramatically in support of this project."

Salt Lake City Councilwoman Nancy Saxton noted that the present capital campaign is the school’s first in 20 years. Their last campaign funded the school’s auditorium.

"Judge Memorial strikes a balance in the neighborhood between education and service to one another," Saxton said. "I recall Father (John) Norman (former president/principal of Judge Memorial), who negotiated so well issues in the neighborhood."

Calling on the Judge Memorial athletes to identify themselves, she said with the new sports complex, "you will be hot teams, playing on your own field."

Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon introduced his wife, Amy, a 1988 graduate of the school, and their daughter, Sophie, "class of 2018."

With Sophie at his side, Mayor Corroon spoke of the importance of Catholic education, athletics, and "the continuation of a great tradition.

"Go, Bulldogs," he cheered.

Throughout the ceremony, Hamburge introduced others who joined the ground-breaking festivities – Dr. Galey Colosimo, principal of Juan Diego Catholic High School; Judge Memorial Coach Jim Yerkovich, who led the school basketball team to a championship this year.

Diocesan Administrator Msgr. J. Terrence Fitzgerald drew the celebration back to the spiritual and social reasons for the project. He thanked the new people who have become involved in the building project, as well as those people and families who have supported Judge Memorial over the years.

"Judge Memorial is a community of faith," he said. "Average people of many faiths have built it brick by brick and dollar by dollar. We want to thank them all." 

Ground was officially broken after cheerleaders called a cheer, urging Lourdes students to join in, which they did enthusiastically. They also sent a laud cheer all the way to San Francisco directed to Archbishop George Niederauer.