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Posted September 26, 2007

Out There: Field dedication remembers duo

By Deb Cleworth

The Rev. Mark Doyle would be proud.

“The field was Father Doyle’s baby, and he took great pride in it,” said Mark Birkhauser, head coach for the Assumption Middle School football team. “I think he would approve.”

The rain let up Tuesday, and the Rev. Tim Welles, accompanied by two members of the Assumption Middle School football team, walked along the perimeter of the school’s field, blessing it with its new name: Frank Walsh & Rev. Mark Doyle Field.

Doyle, who died in January 2004, loved sports and is in Assumption High School’s Hall of Fame. Walsh died in the mid-1980s and was a prime benefactor for Our Lady Queen of Heaven (St. Mary’s) and Assumption High School.

The dedication was part of a tailgate party before an Assumption Middle School game against Wausau Newman, the school where Doyle taught before coming to Wisconsin Rapids.

Despite the rain, the tailgate event was a success. The home and school group tries to hold an event every year, said Lorna Holewinski, president of the group. The crew worked out of the parish garage, amid pews stored there during the church remodeling project.

Jennel Statz was a student — and cheerleader — at Our Lady Queen of Heaven when Doyle was at the parish. Now she is the parent of a first-grader at the school and a kindergartner at St. Lawrence.

“I think (Doyle) just really loved the kids, and he loved the game,” she said.

While many there did not know Walsh personally, they knew of what he did.

“The money for the field development was donated by Frank,” John Wasshausen said.

Those who attended the event were proud of the renovated field.

“We practiced and played here, but it was getting pretty rough,” Mark said. “I think it means something to the whole parish.”

Out There is a Tuesday through Saturday column. Visit forums.wisconsinrapidstribune.com and click on the Out There link.

The Rev. Tim Welles, accompanied by two Assumption Middle School football players, dedicates the football field behind Our Lady Queen of Heaven Church and School. DEB CLEWORTH/DAILY TRIBUNE