Grant brings some upgrades to ICHS athletic facilities

May 15, 2023

A MAJOR SUPPORTER — Trustees of the Charles M. and Thelma M. Pugliese Charitable Foundation chatted with Indian Creek school personnel in the high school's new athletic center, which will benefit from a $50,000 grant from the charity. Among those discussing the new facility were, from left: Superintendent T.C. Chappelear, Assistant Superintendent John Belt, foundation trustee H. Lee Kinney, Andrew Connor, Indian Creek High School head football coach and foundation trustee Tom Timmons. -- Warren Scott

WINTERSVILLE — Indian Creek High School students engaged in several sports have a new place to hone their skills thanks to the generosity of many, including the Charles M. and Thelma M. Pugliese Charitable Foundation.

Trustees for the foundation met with Indian Creek Superintendent T.C. Chapelear and other school officials on Friday at the high school's new Student Athletic Center, for which the foundation has awarded a $50,000 grant.

Assistant Superintendent John Belt said Joe Hammack, assistant coach for the school's football team, led fundraising efforts that netted $101,000 for renovations and new equipment for the facility.

Hammack expressed thanks to all involved in creating multiple indoor practice spaces and a modern weight room, outfitted with equipment from Webster's Fitness Products of Pittsburgh, from the former headquarters of the high school's marching band.

Belt said the band not only occupies equal space in the new high school building completed last year, it also has easy access to the school's stage and athletic stadium.

Hammack noted construction for the athletic center included a wall separating the new weight room from practice space for the high school's wrestling team that was designed to accommodate rubber mats currently in use.

Belt noted tile flooring was replaced with a rubberized surface for the weight room, while showers were installed in an area that had included the band director's office.

Hammack said the facility will provide a major boost to the high school's athletes by allowing them to practice indoors when inclement weather occurs.

Citing examples, he said Indian Creek football players have practiced charging tackling dummies on an area of the upper level covered with artificial turf while the school's softball team has gotten in batting time using a net in the same area.

Hammack said the athletic center offers greater opportunity for practice and exercise than available in the past.

"In the old building, our athletes would run in the hallways after school. That's just what you did," he said.

Tom Timmons and H. Lee Kinney, trustees for the Pugliese Charitable Foundation, learned of future plans for the new facility, including an additional locker room.

Kinney said since it was established 22 years ago, the charity has awarded more than $10 million to many not-for-profit organizations, including schools and local government entities, within a 30 mile radius of Steubenville.

He said beneficiaries of the Puglieses’ generosity have included many school projects, from the establishment of a conference center at Eastern Gateway Community College to construction of Pugliese West Elementary School.

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