Field day planned to honor club founder

The Springfield Booster Club is organizing a daylong sports tribute to its founder, Donald I. Gurney Sr., who died in October at age 86.

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Published April 14, 2016 in the Rutland Herald Field day planned to honor club founder By Susan Smallheer SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Booster Club is organizing a daylong sports tribute to its founder, Donald I. Gurney Sr., who died in October at age 86. Rachel Hunter said Wednesday that the Donald I. Gurney Field Day would be held on May 14, and would include a day full of baseball, softball and other family activities at Riverside Park. She said the field day would start with a morning parade, and include 27 different baseball and softball games, involving more than 300 student athletes in grades K-12. She said there would be Springfield High School varsity baseball and softball games, as well as T-ball games for the youngest athletes. “Those who knew Mr. Gurney know how much of an impact on Springfield sports he had,” Hunter said. “We have many exciting plans for the day celebrating Don,” said Hunter, who helped revitalize the Booster Club last fall, which resulted in rebuilding several key buildings at Brown Field at Riverside Park. Hunter said Gurney was always ready to help the Springfield community, and he helped with the effort to rebuild the press box and concession stands. “Don Gurney was always a big contributor, whether it was building a field or maintaining a field,” she said. He and his company helped in many ways, Hunter said. She said the Gurney Field Day will start with a parade at 10 a.m., featuring all the players, as well as Gurney Brothers Construction Co. trucks, and Don Gurney’s calliope. The Gurney family will participate in the festivities, she said, with two of Gurney’s sons throwing out the first pitch. Family friend Bob Flint will speak during the opening ceremonies, she said. Ball games will start around noon. Hunter said that the event still needs donations of time and money. Anyone who is willing to help with the day’s activities should contact her at 886-1070. Anyone who is able to donate funds should send them to the Springfield Booster Club, PO Box 666, Springfield, VT 05156. Any money raised during the day at the concession stand will be used to sustain what organizers hope will be an annual event, Hunter said. “We are in need of help from businesses and people throughout the community to make this special day happen,” she said. Hunter said the Booster Club is working with Springfield schools and the Springfield Parks and Recreation Department to plan the day. http://www.vermonttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/RH/20160414/NEWS02/160419737 http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20160414/NEWS02/160419737