Excitement engulfed Mesa Verde High School’s new football field as students, coaches and Mavericks begin their first home game in history at the sports complex. Ron Barney (center), athletics director at San Juan Unified and former longtime coach at Mesa Verde celebrates with Julie Gebhardt (left), the wife of late Mike Gebhardt, also a longtime coach at Mesa Verde. Photo courtesy of Travis Miller/Mesa Verde High School

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - The excitement was palpable at Mesa Verde High School in Citrus Heights on October 13, as 2,000 Mesa Verde High School students and staff, dignitaries and community members descended upon the new football stadium complex. They gathered for the first Friday home game in history on their new football field.  

For those who arrived late, parking was not to be found for miles. Parking at the high school’s several lots, including its new parking lot and street parking for miles surrounding the school was filled. It was a magic day for Mesa Verde and Citrus Heights.

A ribbon cutting for the new stadium and athletic complex took place at 3 p.m. with State Senator Roger Niello, Citrus Heights Mayor Tim Schaefer and San Juan Unified School District (SJUSD) Superintendent Melissa Bassanelli speaking. Other city council members were present. Representatives from Sacramento County Supervisor Sue Frost’s office and California State Assemblyman Josh Hoover congratulated the school for its achievement.

Junior Varsity played their first home game in the stadium at 5 p.m. against Rio Linda and won.  At 7:30 p.m. the Mavericks bolted through their new green and orange tunnel for their first home field Friday night game. They won the game against the Rio Linda Knights 20-6, under the brand-new state of the art LED sports lighting.

Throughout the day and evening the Mesa Verde band tirelessly entertained their audience with energetic music.

Mesa Verde High School opened in 1975 and has never had its own sports stadium. For 48 years the Mavericks have had to play their home games at San Juan High School. In a SJUSD YouTube video, student Anthony Arguelles reflected, “when you have your own stadium, it’s people from your school, [and] everyone is coming together more like a family – it unites you.”

In the same video, Athletic Director Travis Miller noted that, “community-wise it will be great, community groups that are local and have to travel to other high schools or other facilities (to play) can stay in Citrus Heights and use our facilities. People will see the positive energy we’re bringing to Mesa.”

In an interview on Good Day Sacramento on game day, principal Jennifer Peterson, acknowledging they are now the envy of other high schools said, “this is the best stadium in our district and we’re proud of it.  This is 49 years in the making. It’s not just for Mesa, it’s for the community at large.”

Returning to their alma mater were dozens of alumni coming home to their own first homecoming game. They marched in front of the stands, holding their banners, many still proudly able to fit into and wear their letterman jacket. They are eagerly awaiting sitting in their own bleachers watching a game…finally!

In 2016, SJUSD passed Measure P, a $750 million bond measure to fund capital improvements throughout the district, and one of those signature projects was the new sports stadium at Mesa Verde High School.

Construction on the new stadium began following groundbreaking in August of 2022. The work was completed this fall. The stadium features a synthetic turf football field, scoreboards, a new sound system, Mesa-green bleachers, a press box, ticket booth, concession stand with restrooms and renovated locker rooms. The campus also has new tennis courts, a marked running track with bright orange accents.

Principal Jennifer Peterson summed up the importance of the completion of this project, “the athletic stadium stands as a testament to what community can achieve when united by a common vision. This moment has been marked by determination, sacrifice and an enduring belief that our students deserve the very best.”

The closing words on the SJUSD website look to the school’s future place in the community. “Mesa Verde’s athletic complex now stands as a place where students, staff, alumni, and Citrus Heights community members can gather and watch the school’s athletic teams compete in sporting events such as football, soccer, track and tennis.”

Sources: Good Day Sacramento, San Juan Unified School District Ballotpedia

Mesa Verde High School cheerleaders pause during the Star-Spangled Banner at the opening ceremony of the school’s athletic complex on Friday, October 13, 2023.  Photo courtesy of Citrus Heights City Manager Ash Feeney