Last Friday, I was in Lakeview to broadcast the Dawson-Boyd and Lakeview football game on a beautiful fall evening. As I walked from my car toward the field, I couldn’t help but notice what a fantastic complex Lakeview has. It’s relatively new, and I’ve been there before, but it always strikes me: what a huge difference there is in high school facilities compared to when I played back in the 1970s!
Later that night, sitting in my chair and scrolling through my photos, I was again impressed by Lakeview’s field. That got me thinking about the high school football fields I have the privilege of broadcasting from each year. Every one of them is unique in its own right. So, let’s take a trip around the area and share some of my thoughts on these local venues.

Lac qui Parle Valley (LQPV)
The LQPV facility was built in 1990, and what I love most is the press box. It is, without a doubt, the biggest one around—I get my own room! When they were planning the new one a few years ago, the school superintendent approached me and asked for my advice, knowing I work in so many different press boxes. I told her, “You can never make them big enough!” I’m glad she took my advice.

Dawson-Boyd’s R.B. Clay Field
This is one of my favorite football fields. It’s set in a natural bowl, with cars lining the perimeter. The old press box was small and famously rickety. I remember broadcasting once with the Marshall radio guy—who is as big as I am—and we literally had to stand on opposite ends for fear of tipping the whole thing over! The new press box is fantastic, and the old one was actually moved to the LQP County Fairgrounds, where it’s still used for rodeos. It’s a great place to experience high school football, loaded with tradition.

Canby
Canby just finished building an amazing new facility, complete with a track and artificial turf. The new press box is excellent, and I now have my own room. The upgrade was definitely needed; the old press box was so difficult to get into. The only thing that takes some getting used to is being on the other side of the field compared to the old setup!

Minneota’s K.P. Kompelien Field
This is a truly historic and unique venue. It’s one of only a few in Minnesota that is a baseball-football combination. The football press box is located in center field. It even has a Viking carved tree next to the scoreboard. I always enjoy broadcasting here; you can feel the history in the place.

Yellow Medicine East
This is another historic football field with an all-grass surface and a perimeter partly lined with granite rock. This field holds a special personal memory for me: I played my very last high school football game here back in 1976 with the Madison Dragons. Whenever I go to broadcast, I’m always brought back to that devastating loss. I remember sitting in the locker room afterward, not wanting to take off my uniform. This field means something to me.

MACCRAY
I haven’t had a chance to visit the new football complex yet, but it looks nice and is another example of the growing trend toward artificial turf. The old field in Maynard had plenty of history as well.

There are other school fields I don’t get to broadcast from much anymore, but I always loved going to Montevideo and Morris. Benson was famous for having a press box where I had to be outside on the very top—I froze to death a few times! And Wabasso has the most unique press box I’ve ever seen; I can’t even begin to describe it.
So there you have it—some thoughts on the area’s football fields from a guy who gets to call the action every week. If I have a final say, I have a few preferences: I prefer grass fields over artificial turf, I definitely like to have my own room to broadcast from, and the concession stand and restrooms need to be close!
What’s your favorite high school football field in the area, and why?