New walkway in works for Greensburg’s Offutt Field

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, June 26, 2018 | 9:21 PM

Previous Next

Previous Next

When Lynn Jobe became Greensburg Salem's athletic director eight years ago, there were two projects she wanted to oversee.

The first was to update the school's fitness center, which she did.

The second was to create a walkway for fans to enter Offutt Field from Pittsburgh Street. The project is called the Greensburg Salem Walkway Project at Offutt Field.

That project is underway, and the outgoing athletic director is hoping it is complete within a year.

Jobe oversaw a committee that met Tuesday to discuss the project.

Jobe, who resigned at the end of the school year, gave committee members an update on the project, which is awaiting approval from the school board and the City of Greensburg.

She wants the walkway to be a meeting spot for fans entering the stadium for athletic events and other school functions.

“We just want to establish a nice entrance into the field,” Jobe said. “We will be able to bring the band and cheerleaders into the stadium from there. It will be the official entrance into the stadium.”

The walkway will include benches and an timeline of historic Offutt Field, which originally was called the Athletic Park and was built in 1890.

The field was renamed Offutt Field in 1928 after community leader and school director James H. Offutt.

“There are still some hurdles we must clear,” Jobe said. “The design has changed, and we're trying to get everything to certain standards. There are different issues we must solve.

“We're working with a lot of people. Some issues can be worked out quickly, and some are time consuming. We're problem solving. It's a fun process, and it's going to be a great project, and it's going to enhance the whole community. We're excited.”

The field was the football home to the Greensburg, Greensburg Salem and Greensburg Central Catholic schools, and a Class D Minor League baseball team. Seton Hill also uses the stadium for home football games.

Inside the stadium will be an area with historical facts about famous players, teams and events that occurred in the stadium.

“There were a lot of great athletes who played at the stadium,” Greensburg historian Howard Kaufman said. “Connellsville's Johnny Lujack, who was a Heisman trophy winner, Youngwood's George Blanda, who is an NFL Hall of Famer and the Homestead Grays home run slugger, Josh Gibson.

“Almost everything imaginable was played at the stadium. The Steelers practice there. It's been busy over the years.”

Paul Schofield is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at pschofield@tribweb.com or via Twitter @Schofield_Trib.