Carnett: 60 years later, LeBard Stadium still precious to community

In my view, it’s the most elegant structure in Costa Mesa.

I am, of course, somewhat biased.

The building to which I refer is fairer than the stunning Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall; more breathtaking than the Costa Mesa Plaza Tower; and more utilitarian than “The Pit,” Vanguard University’s gym — and the former Santa Ana Army Air Base Service Club — which sat on Orange Coast College’s property as its gym from 1948-62.

On the verge of celebrating its 60th anniversary, my favorite Costa Mesa building has attracted millions to its site since 1955.

I speak of Harry R. LeBard Stadium on OCC’s campus. The building stirs up in me a host of wonderful — and not-so-wonderful — memories and emotions.

LeBard Stadium was constructed at a cost of $300,000. Originally called Pirate Stadium, the 7,600-seat structure was designed by Parker, Zehnder and Associates. It was dedicated on Sept. 16, 1955, and OCC’s Pirates tied East Contra Costa College in the inaugural contest, 13-13.

Brown sod was delivered just days prior to the opening kickoff, and had to be spray painted green for obvious aesthetic reasons. The order to paint the field — something now routinely done in stadiums around the world — was issued by OCC’s founding president, Basil H. Peterson.

By halftime, every uniform on the field was green.

The facility was renamed LeBard Stadium in the late 1960s, after a member of the college district’s first board of trustees.

The stadium’s playing surface is below grade, meaning it projects a dramatic sunken-bowl appearance. Construction crews excavated dirt from the site of the field and piled it high on both sidelines to form the underpinning of the grandstands. Today, LeBard is lauded for its intimate, fan-friendly atmosphere, with all seats being close to the action.

In 60 seasons, LeBard Stadium has hosted more than a thousand community college and high school football games, attracting more than 2 million fans. I’ve attended games that drew upward of 10,000. Spectators overflowed the bleachers and spilled into the ivy.

I’ve seen temporary bleachers installed above the south end zone.

I’ve also attended many high school games and community college bowl games in the stadium, along with 31 OCC commencements. I was on hand for several Fourth of July fireworks shows and numerous high school all-star contests.

In 2004, the stadium underwent a makeover. That project included improved seating and access for disabled fans, a new scoreboard, an artificial playing surface, and, later, a new field house.

I received my introduction to the stadium in June of 1958. LeBard was three years old at the time, and served as host to my Everett A. Rea Junior High graduation.

During my junior and senior years at Costa Mesa High, our varsity football team played its home games at LeBard. The first game I witnessed there was Costa Mesa’s 25-0 victory over Northview High of Covina in 1960. I was public address announcer for all Costa Mesa High games that year at LeBard.

My high school graduation was held in the stadium in June of 1962, and my OCC graduation was staged there in June of 1969.

While in high school, my buddies and I would sneak into the stadium to play baseball on the field. We’d hit home runs into the bleachers. Every time we’d jack the ball into the stands we’d whoop it up. We were unceremoniously thrown out of the facility more than once.

I joined OCC’s staff in 1971 as director of community relations. For the next 15 years I also served as sports information director and ran the press box on game nights. For 21 seasons after that I was public address announcer for all Pirate home games.

I worked more than 160 games in the press box. When I retired in 2008, the college graciously named the press box after me. I was deeply touched.

Walking into LeBard today is a bit like walking into Fenway Park or Carnegie Hall or Westminster Abbey. Countless lives have been shaped by its existence.

LeBard Stadium, to me, is hallowed ground.

JIM CARNETT, who lives in Costa Mesa, worked for Orange Coast College for 37 years.