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Holland breaks ground on new football stadium: 'I am already imagining the first game'

HOLLAND - The dream is slowly becoming a reality.

The Holland High School football team has been around since 1897 with a long and rich history.

But the school has never had its own football field on the high school campus.

The Dutch have played at Riverside Park and Holland Municipal Stadium, which has become Hope College's Ray & Sue Smith Stadium.

A new era began on Monday, June 1, with a groundbreaking on the new stadium and athletic complex scheduled to be finished by 2027.

"Nothing beats your own place. It is going to be something special," Holland coach Will Siffin said. "I want to help build that and bring more pride into it. It is nice to know I was a part of it, but this stadium is going to be here long after I'm gone."

More: Holland High School to begin campus football stadium construction

Voters passed a millage for Holland Public Schools in 2025 to fund the project.

Siffin, along with Superintendent Nick Cassidy, Athletic Director Blake Muller and members of the school board and staff joined students in taking the first ceremonial digs near where the 50-yard line will be in the football stadium.

Some of the sophomore starters, including quarterback Eli Wolters and receiver Finn Galloway, will be seniors when the first season of the new stadium kicks off in 2027.

"It is so exciting. I can't wait for it to be ready so we can play on this field," Wolters said. "It is going to feel a lot better than riding a bus for a home game. It will be really cool to have the community have our back. I am already imagining the first game at the new stadium with all of the community in the stands. It is going to be awesome."

Holland High School students help break ground on the school's new stadium during a ceremony on Monday, June 1.

But this project is not just about football. It will bring a new track, baseball and softball fields, and a place for the marching band to practice and host events.

The excitement is there for everyone.

"It is really nice to have this. We have been working hard for our shows and the field is not always in the greatest condition, so getting this new field is going to make a world of a difference," Holland band member Alex Perales said. "We are excited for this new edition."

The baseball and softball fields are slated to be finished for the 2027 spring season.

Many community members, staff, athletes, alumni and students were on hand for the groundbreaking.

The excitement is already growing.

"I feel lucky being in the place I am at the time I am with all the great support around us. We are trying to elevate the expectations for our team and community. We want to show we are serious about football. I have seen this happen in other places and what it can do," Siffin said. "Building this home field is such a big part of us coming together in trying times and in a challenging district. I think this can bring a nice light and pride in the community, not just the kids."

Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Holland High School breaks ground on first football stadium

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