Head football coach, Trent Merzon, had a vision which is now becoming a reality, step by step, as the old football field begins the transformation into an outstanding sports track and field in every sense of the word, thanks to a few friends who happen to either have played ball on that field, or live here in Oakdale. 

This isn’t “just about building a new football field and track.  This project is a symbol that represents a long standing history of “Community, Spirit and Commitment.” 

Because the necessary funds were not available a group of local contractors, suppliers, engineers, sub-contractors and service providers, stepped forward.  

All the preliminary demolition, grading, and ground preparation are being donated,…yes donated! 

This is about demonstrating teamwork, leadership, and commitment to this community. It is about the kids who attend this school, and who will be playing on that field this fall, and for generations to come. We are not a community of special interest and separate entities. We work and serve together. We need and depend on each other.  This is about our Agencies, and Service Providers: Law Enforcement,  Fire Fighters, Military, Educators,  Media, Churches, and Businesses joining together to serve our community.  Oakdale!  That is what “The Corral Needs Fixing” is all about.” 

Some people will surely be amazed at the sheer volume of time, labor and materials that has been donated. In one sense they should not be. This heartfelt demonstration of stepping forward, volunteering, and going the extra mile is what these folks are all about. Not surprisingly, even though this is the busy season for contractors, the moment they were approached, they were on board and they are now a very active part of the team.

It's another step in a massive community project at Oakdale, one that has seen the town and its businesses raise enough money and in-kind donations to begin work on the installation of artificial turf and a synthetic track.

"I can't believe how fast this came together," said Merzon.  "This community is very proud of its school and its kids. If something needs to get done, the community is going to find a way."

And...they did just that. Men with vision and a lot of determination found a way by raising $1 million in combined money, pledges and labor in about six months.

"It shows how much support this school has from the town," Oakdale High Principal Rick Jones said. "A community-based project like this is just incredible."

The wheels were set in motion soon after football season ended. Merzon and junior varsity coach Dave Bacigalupi met to discuss potential field improvements.

The Oakdale Varsity, 'The Mustangs' had completed their season finale at Sonora.  Conversation turned to the new FieldTurf surface serving the Sonora stadium.

Merzon was impressed,  "And when you see the stats — 50 percent less concussions on an artificial field instead of grass — we started working on it."

The city responds

The support was immediate, with several Oakdale residents joining the committee for FieldTurf. One was Phil Wilder, a construction firm consultant.

Wilder, who moved to Oakdale about three years ago, had connections with several local construction companies that boosted the project. Soon, several major local companies — mainly Ross Carroll Inc., George Reed Inc. and Teichert Construction — donated the workers and equipment needed for the early demolition.

Just under half of the $1 million needed for artificial turf and a synthetic track comes in the preparation work.

While Wilder was talking to construction companies, money and pledges began to roll in from Oakdale's citizens and businesses. .

" Merzon said. "We have zero doubt it's going to get done. We may even be able to pay it off in a year or two."

The Oakdale Joint Unified School District gave the committee the green light to begin work, and it has been full speed ahead from that point on.

By mid-April, there was enough money and pledges to begin the work. Rob Becker, a construction manager who was working on other projects at Oakdale, joined the committee in April and has helped work out a timetable for FieldTurf. He and Merzon say the field will be in by mid-August.

"This project had so much momentum," Becker said. "Their enthusiasm was contagious; I thought, 'What could I do?'"

The football and track project goes hand-in-hand with a school district project just west of the stadium. Construction has already started on what will soon be a new baseball field, two new softball fields and two soccer fields. Modernization of the school's classrooms is also under way.

"We want this to be something everybody's proud of," Merzon said. "We want to have the best football stadium, the best baseball field, the best softball fields."

Groundbreaking ceremony

Dale Clipper, the head football coach from 1959-79, spoke at a recent groundbreaking ceremony.  The four varsity head coaches to follow Clipper — including Merzon — were also Oakdale High graduates.

This is a special place," Clipper said. "We put in a track, a practice field and built the mound for the home bleachers in 1952. But all that is minuscule compared to what is happening now. It's amazing."

It's amazing to most, that this town of 17,219 can raise nearly $1 million in money, pledges and services in six months. But not to its residents.

"We're Oakdale people, we aren't going anywhere," Merzon said. "We've got an incredible amount of pride in our school and our kids."

There's a lot of drive there, too.

"Never tell somebody from Oakdale that it can't be done," Clipper said. "We'll find a way."