Boys Town Home Campus - Boys Town, NE

Mayor Caitlin Huber; Brent Robinson, Boys Town Athletic Director; Vice Mayor Edgar Jasso; Father Steven Boes; Ron Gartlan, Godfather's Pizza CEO; The Godfather; and Bob Pick, Associate Executive Director of Boys Town Home Campus cut the ribbon to officially dedicate the newly renovated Palrang Field House.

Improved Palrang Field House Continues to Help Boys Town Youth

An improved and renovated Palrang Field House was officially dedicated at a ribbon cutting ceremony Feb. 8, between the girls and boys varsity basketball games versus Winnebago.

"The Field House has always been a fun place for the kids who call Boys Town home - where we can run, laugh, and be kids again," said Caitlin Huber, Mayor of the Village of Boys Town during the dedication ceremony. "The improvements have made this place even more inviting, safer, and a great place for our athletes to compete with character."

Improving the Field House facilities helps sustain an important part of life for some of America's severely at-risk youth. "It really tells a kid that you care about them," said John Mollison, '64, Vice President of Human and Physical Resources. "And I can tell you from being a kid here, that is the neatest feeling in the world."

"Father Flanagan was a pioneer in his day in helping kids get stronger in body, mind, and spirit," said Father Steve Boes, Boys Town National Executive Director. "He built churches, a school, and this place, the Field House, because he knew that these elements combined in the life of a kid could help him become a strong citizen."

The dedication comes following nearly six years of renovations. The new entrance on the southeast side of the building encompasses a full glass front and a large Cowboys blue star can be seen as fans approach the building. "We have a lot of events here and most of them take place at night so when the people are walking up and see this with the lights on, it really gives a good impression," said Brent Robinson, Boys Town Athletic Director.

Some of the more extensive reconstruction focused on improving the locker rooms. The boys locker room now includes revamped lockers and new bathroom and shower facilities. The girls and coaches locker rooms also received a facelift.

The Godfather throws Frisbees to the eager crowd during the game between the Boys Town High School Cowboys and the Winnebago Indians.

"This Field House represents a safe haven for our youth to recreate, compete, and cheer on their fellow classmates," said Robinson. "It is exactly what Father Flanagan visualized so many years ago. And we take honor in preserving it, along with appreciating the improvements that have been made."

During the dedication ceremony, Father Boes paid tribute to those generous donors who made renovations of the Field House possible, including Marge Holt, who made her donations in memory of her late husband, Edwin "Tex" Holt, a former youth at the Home.

"Each person has a way that they can contribute, and finally a door opened where it became possible for me to do something for Boys Town - and it's all for my husband," said Mrs. Holt, whose generous gifts supported both the renovations and the continued maintenance of the Field House.

The dedication coincided with Godfather's Night where Boys Town recognized its sole national corporate sponsor, Godfather's Pizza.

"The Field House helps in our mission of providing help, healing and hope to our youth and Godfather's support in communicating this mission is critical," said Father Boes. "We thank them for their constant support and are thrilled to have them share in this celebration."