Reitz Bowl
The Reitz Bowl, one of the great natural
stadiums in the nation, was born by accident. It was originally
planned as a retaining wall for the new F. J. Reitz High School.
Foresight by a school member noted that with some small changes a
football stadium could be made too. This was done and 2002 marks the
84th year for football at the bowl. The first two years was a
reserve schedule and then in 1921 Reitz began varsity play.
In 1931, Reitz played its first night
game. Also in 1931, Reitz played Bosse an extra game for charity on
December 4th. This was during the great depression. 1959 was the
last Thanksgiving Day game in the State of Indiana, Reitz against
Bosse. 1973 saw the new all transistor scoreboard go into effect. It
was, as all past Reitz scoreboards, a gift of the Nut Club.
 1974 saw PAT come to Reitz Bowl. PAT
is Prescription Athletic Turf, a method of draining and irrigation
from pipes laid beneath the playing surface. What occurs during this
process is the drainage of any excess water by a vacuum system when
the field is flooded by rain, and irrigating water to the surface of
the field when it is too dry.
 Along with PAT came the renovation of
the bowl seating, walkways, and stairs. A new all weather track was
added too. 1976 saw the new all metal permanent type bleachers
become a reality.
Play Clocks were introduced to the Bowl in 1995, and 2003 saw a brand new sound system that rivals those in the Big Ten.
New turf was installed at Reitz Bowl and all the EVSC football fields in time for the 2009 season. On Aug. 19, 2011, that playing surface was dedicated as Herman Byers Field, in honor of Hall of Fame coach Herman Byers.
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