MAKIKI — Players ticked off all the reasons why they liked Roosevelt's newly renovated football stadium — artificial turf, synthetic track, less abrasions, no mud.

But perhaps the main reason is being able to call it their own. Emblazoned right in the middle of the $4.5 million Ticky Vasconcellos Stadium is "RHS." Unlike years past when rain turned the previous field into a mud pit, no mud will ever cover up "RHS." Again.

"You have it right in the middle," pointed out Roosevelt freshman player Leland Kaho'oilihala, who said that was the best feature of the field.

The Rough Rider JV and varsity football teams debuted their sparkling new stadium last night, with players, fans and alumni beaming at all the new features, and bemoaning all the bads of before.

"When we used to get hit on the field, we used to get all kind scratches," Roosevelt sophomore quarterback Matt Lono said. "Now you just get turf burn. It's not as bad."

Roosevelt is the only public high school in the state with an artificial-turf field, and just one of a handful of state high schools to even have that luxury. Aside from the new turf, the field includes a synthetic track, new long jump and pole vault pits, shot put area and concession stand. The project was a collaborative effort from private and public sectors, and alumni who remembered everything Roosevelt had to offer and wanted to give back for it.

The field debuted just in time for the school's commencement ceremony in June. But last night marked the beginning of months worth of prep football to be held every weekend.

The junior varsity team even christened it with a 20-6 win over Campbell. The blazing sun started off their game, but when it was all over after Lono threw two touchdowns and ran in for another, the lights illuminated the brand-new facility.

"It's a good feeling," said Roosevelt sophomore running back Willy Kaina. "We're the first public school with a rubber track and turf field. We're blessed to have this field."

NO MORE FLOODING

Before, the grass field became roughed up from daily practices and weekend games. Four schools — Roosevelt, Farrington, Kaimuki and McKinley — all play home games at Roosevelt.

Crushed rock and drains beneath the field will prevent standing water and mud of the old field.

"Back then, the field was muddy and dry and hard," said Tracie Kaho'oilihala, a 1982 Roosevelt graduate whose two sons, Leland and Leighton, play for the JV team. "When it rain, it flooded."

Ronalyn Rosenberg, a Roosevelt graduate, echoed many of the same feelings other alumni in the stands had.

"I wish it was here when I was here," said Rosenberg, whose son plays for Campbell's varsity team.

RAISING MONEY

Keith Amemiya, Hawai'i High School Athletic Association executive director, found out three years ago about a grant from the National Football League that provides funding for field renovation.

The grant from the NFL and its field renovation partner, Local Initiatives Support Corporation, would provide $200,000 if that amount was matched. To seek ways to raise funds, Amemiya contacted Roosevelt alum and attorney Bert T. Kobayashi Jr., former First Hawaiian Bank CEO Walter Dods and State Sen. Brian Taniguchi, D-10th (Manoa, Mo'ili'ili, McCully, Makiki).

Kobayashi led alumni fundraising efforts, getting retired Circuit Judge Marie Milks and State Sen Carol Fukunaga, D-11th (Makiki, Punchbowl, Ala Moana, McCully), to co-chair Roosevelt's 75th Anniversary Dinner. The November 2005 event raised $600,000.

Roosevelt graduate Gigi Velasco, who helped coordinate fundraising efforts, said the school's sense of 'ohana has kept students coming back.

"From high school, a lot of us come back," said Velasco, a 1990 graduate. "I helped coach for a little while and just helped out. The school and faculty is very family oriented here. You just automatically come back and support."

Taniguchi helped secure another $4 million from the Legislature. Amemiya and his wife, Bonny, donated $20,000 for a new wireless scoreboard, and Hawai'i 3R's executive director Ryan Shigetani helped lead a volunteer effort to repaint the stadium's concrete bleachers.

"Once people found out that this was going on and that they needed funds for the field — a lot of people found out really fast — they were willing to support," Velasco said.

STUDENT PRIDE

In the end, the students will benefit the most from Ticky Vasconcellos Stadium, named after the coach who led the Rough Riders to three straight Interscholastic League of Honolulu titles from 1955 to 1957. The stadium is also home to Roosevelt's soccer and track and field teams.

"Not that much public schools get to experience what we have," Lono said.

"It's a beautiful facility and a great thing for the kids to have," said Melissa Ahuna, a Campbell parent.

Sumi Ortanes, a 1981 Roosevelt graduate, hopes the stadium will be a source of pride for students.

"It's nice and beautiful," said Ortanes, whose son T.J. plays on the JV team. "They're excited to be the first set of athletes on the field.

"It's a different sense of pride and different sense of responsibility. They know they have to protect it from damage."

When the lights went off at the end of last night's Campbell-Roosevelt varsity game, it marked just the beginning of a new era of Roosevelt football, and evidence of what happens when different groups rally for the same cause.

"Seeing what we had all those years and then seeing what we got now, it's like when you build a new house," said Roosevelt athletic director John Chung, who has been a teacher and coach at the school for more than 20 years. "You want to keep everything spic and span. We're making sure we upkeep this thing so other schools, maybe down the road, can build a facility like this."