COLUMBUS NEWS
Columbus Catholic Fieldhouse
Columbus Catholic Schools is celebrating the completion of a long-awaited 52,000 square foot fieldhouse and educational expansion. This was a $12 million, 100% community-funded project that will shape student life for years to come. Our 20-year dream has become a reality.
For decades, our original 73-year-old gymnasium has been the heartbeat of campus, hosting varsity games, concerts, drama productions, and practices for 18 basketball teams, nine volleyball teams, and more.
Our enrollment has been increasing each year, and some grade levels are now up to four classrooms. We want to keep expanding on that.
As enrollment and youth sports offerings grew, the schedule stretched thin. Lights were on from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., with some teams practicing before dawn.
The new fieldhouse changes that. The facility features four full-size basketball and volleyball courts, a fitness center, and four state-of-the-art classrooms equipped with Promethean boards. The additional space lets all high school teams practice right after school while younger teams move to earlier evening slots. Students and families can be home for dinner.
This project was made possible by the generosity of the Marshfield community. Lead gifts came from the Roehl, Jim and Sherrie Weber, and Wheeler families for the following: Roehl Sports Center, Jim and Sherrie Weber Educational Wing, and the Wheeler Family Fitness Center. Court sponsors were Ken and Joellen (Weber ’72) Heiman, Kim and Cheryl Heiman, Bill and Mona Hilgemann, and Wisconsin River Orthopaedics. Built with local contractors and materials, it stands as a true testament to what our community can accomplish together. When you visit our facility, please pay attention to the donors listed on the wall. If you wish to be a part of this facility, we still have naming rights available. Please contact Joe Konieczny at 715-305-9839. The fieldhouse will welcome visitors for events and tournaments from across Wisconsin. We will host six volleyball tournaments, 15 basketball tournaments, and multiple community events in the facility during this school year, bringing new business to area hotels, restaurants, and shops.
As Joe Konieczny (’96), Director of School and Community Engagement, shared, “This fieldhouse is more than just a building. It is a reflection of what a community can achieve when people come together around a shared vision.”
Schedule a tour: Contact Joe Konieczny at 715-305-9839 to see the facility firsthand.
Fieldhouse Dedication
Caption: Bishop Battersby (center) dedicated the Columbus Catholic Fieldhouse on the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, joined by Father Robertson (left).
Bishop Battersby joined us in celebrating the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Our Lady of Peace Church. Following Mass, he blessed and dedicated the new Columbus Catholic Fieldhouse, marking a joyful milestone for our community. The day concluded with Our Lady of Peace's annual parish picnic, where parishioners and school families came together for fellowship and celebration.
Fall Athletics in Full Swing
The fall athletics season at Columbus Catholic Schools has been filled with energy and accomplishment. From the fast-paced rallies of volleyball to the determined strides of cross country, our student-athletes have represented the Dons with pride and perseverance.
This season also marked a major milestone for Coach Jeff Edwards, who celebrated his 200th career win as head coach of the Columbus Catholic soccer program. His leadership and commitment have shaped a culture of excellence and teamwork.
We welcomed two familiar faces to our coaching staff as well. Bill Eggebrecht (’79) returned to the tennis program as head coach. A Columbus alum and former member of our boys’ tennis team, Bill brings both experience and enthusiasm to the court. He has worked with several of our athletes in recent years and continues to share his passion for the sport — and for Columbus Catholic.
Jim Nystrom (’86) also joined as head coach for cross country, a program that has long benefited from his leadership. Jim has coordinated the Marshfield Cross Country Invitational at Wildwood Park for years and is an avid distance runner himself. Being part of the Columbus Catholic Schools community is truly a family affair for the Nystroms — his sons Peyton (’18) and Tom (’20) are both proud graduates.
As we wrap up a strong fall season with eyes on deep postseason runs, we celebrate our athletes, coaches, and families who continue to make Dons athletics a source of pride and community spirit.
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Caption: LEFT: The 1978 Tennis Team included Mary Beyerl, John Ptacek, Keith Koenig, Al Michalski, Bill Eggebrecht, Brad Lindner, Gary Haley, and Coach Gary Hallowell MIDDLE: Concentration is the name of the game, as Bill Eggebrecht completed the upward swing of his forehand shot. RIGHT: The 1985 Cross Country members included (front) Terry Huettl, Brooks Holtey, Tim Moen, Darren Brost, (middle) Bill Miller, Don Hasenhorl, Chris Drews, Chuck Meyer, Nathan Jansen, (back) Jeff Wolf, Mike Sadowski, Andrew Mork, Jim Nystrom, and Steve Heinzen.
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