'A lot of excitement.' Newport Central Catholic dedicates new athletic complex

Before blessing Newport Central Catholic's Ciafardini Family Athletic Complex and Robert J. Schneider Field, Most Rev. John C. Iffert, Bishop of Covington, noted that it was probably his first time on a football field since he was in high school.

He recalled the advice of his freshman offensive line coach, Whitey Miller, yelled at him an estimated 2,000 times.

"Head up! Feet moving!"

Iffert went on to preach about how that message, as well as how meekness, courage and humility can be applied to life and sports.

Most Reverend John C. Iffert, Bishop of Covington, blesses the Ciafardini Family Athletic Complex at Newport Central Catholic on April 14, 2026.

The athletic complex, now almost five years in the making and set to open to NewCath's football and soccer teams this fall, was dedicated on Tuesday, April 14, with mass and a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Tony Ciafardini, a 1966 graduate and local businessman, provided the keystone gift for the campaign.

The field is named after legendary coach Robert Schneider, who died in 2021. He won 345 games from 1966 to 2009 and won state championships in 1984, 2005 and 2006. He also coached baseball for nine seasons. His wife, Nancy, and son, Dave, attended.

From left, Tony Ciafardini, Most Rev. John C. Iffert, Bishop of Covington, Nancy Schneider and Dave Schneider pose with customized jerseys at Newport Central Catholic's Ciafardini Family Athletic Complex, dedicated April 14, 2026.

The timing of the dedication was spearheaded by Newport Central Catholic Principal Dr. Kenny Collopy. Since he was hired in May 2021, he has not been one to wait around for anything when it comes to elevating the school.

"If we wait for the perfect time on everything, we will never find it," Collopy said in his opening remarks.

Collopy oversaw the majority of the school's "Looking Up" capital campaign to build the facility. Many days, he would take the short walk from the school to the construction site with athletic director Jeff Schulkens, watching the campus grow before his eyes.

The Newport Central Catholic community tours the newly dedicated Ciafardini Family Athletic Complex.

"I remember Oct. 21 of 2024, they knocked down the old storage shed," Schulkens said. "It's been an overwhelming process just watching, day by day, seeing the progress."

Schneider hired Schulkens in 1996 to lead the baseball program, doing so until 2019, when he took over as the school's athletic director.

The field and bleachers are currently the only complete parts of the complex. Before the fall sports season arrives, they will grade the parking lot, erect permanent signs and fencing and surface the six-lane track. They also will furnish the press box, restrooms, locker rooms and athletic offices.

When the Thoroughbreds football team christens the field in Week 2 against Lloyd Memorial, Schulkens expects the stands to be packed, similar to how the St. Henry faithful came out for the Crusaders' first varsity home game on Aug. 22, 2025.

First-year coach Terry Brown plans to continue a tradition that has been passed down from Schneider to Eddie Eviston to Dan Wagner to Stephen Lickert. Before each game, the team will pray at the grotto in front of the school.

Tony Ciafardini cuts the ribbon on the Ciafardini Family Athletic Complex at Newport Central Catholic on April 14, 2026.

The Thoroughbreds are coming off an 8-5 season that saw them bow out in the third round of the Class 1A state playoffs. They graduate quarterback Emmanuel Miles, running back Eddie Bivens and their top five leading receivers. But being able to see their new home field from the weight room has Brown's team excited for another season of NewCath football.

"There's a lot of excitement, a lot of buzz flying around The Hill right now," Brown said.

The girls soccer team went 11-8-3 in 2025, its first winning season since 2018. Last year's leading goal scorer Greta Hansbauer is graduating, but coach Emily Wagner return the majority of the team's offensive output, as well as goalie Ava Menning, to build on last year.

The boys soccer team went 8-12-2 last fall and last won the 36th District in 2023, eventually falling in the Ninth Region final. It should contend for a district title this fall, returning all but two players, including leading goal scorers Andrew Verst, Brody Boyers and Ian Darnell and goalie Mitchell Franzen.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Newport Central Catholic dedicates Ciafardini Family Athletic Complex