"Welcome to a very special event and a special day in the history of Canisius High School."
Those were the words of President Fr. David Ciancimino, S.J., as Canisius High School began its dedication and blessing of Coppola Family Field and the David M. Downing '83 Press Box, part of our expansive new baseball facility at the Stransky Athletic Complex on Clinton Street.
"Sixteen years ago, we had a vision that today becomes a reality," said Director of Athletics Jim Mauro. "Today, Stransky becomes a true athletic complex with the addition of the Coppola Family Field, a baseball home befitting of the status of our storied program."
The Crusaders completed the great day with a stirring, 11-inning victory over Monsignor Martin Athletic Association rival St. Francis. CHS tied the game in the bottom of the seventh before going on to win, 4-3.
"Ralph Coppola, for whom we are naming this field, and his family have been tremendous supporters of Canisius High School for many years," said Ciancimino. "We are honored to have his wonderful wife Suzanne as well as family and friends here today as we dedicate Coppola Family Field, and we are extremely grateful for their generosity and care of Canisius.
"We are also joined today by the family of the late David Downing, another Canisius family which has strongly supported CHS over the last several decades, and for whom we are naming our press box at this facility. We are honored to have David's wife Karen, who currently serves our board as a trustee, and her family with us to pay tribute to David and to offer our gratitude for their tremendous support of CHS."
Ciancimino presented ceremonial baseball bats to Suzanne Coppola and Karen Downing, as well as to CHS attorney Edward Cosgrove, "father to several graduates and grandfather to several more, who has provided invaluable legal assistance and guidance throughout the process of having this facility built."
Assistant to the President Fr. Richard Zanoni, S.J., blessed the field and the press box.
"God values all sports, but I think God may have had a favorite," Zanoni said in his introduction. "The very first line of the Book of Genesis read: 'God created the heavens and the earth in the big inning.' "
His prayer concluded with "above all, may all of us, players and fans alike, celebrate the joy and exhilaration of life which acknowledges your goodness, O God. Let us run the bases we have to run, every day, until we are all safe at home with You. Amen!"
The ceremonial first pitches were thrown by two Canisius High School baseball coaching legends, Bryan Tenney '76 and Paul Smaldone '60.
Tenney, who coached at CHS 1991 to 2018, is also honored with one of three home-plate plaques behind the large backstop of Coppola Family Field. The others honor John Barnes (coach from 1931-65) and Connie McGillicuddy '39 (1966-1990).
