The Kansas City Chiefs presented St. Joseph Catholic Church & School a $250,000 grant, courtesy of the NFL Foundation and the Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC) Grassroots Field Grant Program.
Chiefs team officials, Archdiocesan representatives and civic officials gathered for the award presentation at a groundbreaking ceremony for St. Joseph Athletic Facility on Dec. 1.
The grant will help fund a field refurbishment project at the St. Joseph Athletic Facility in Shawnee, KS at the parish campus.The grant will support the installation of a synthetic turf field at the school's athletic field, providing more than 5,200 youth with access to a safe space to stay active and healthy.
The St. Joseph Athletic Facility project is one of only 16 in the country that have been awarded this grant in 2025, and the only one in Kansas City.
FOSTERING COMMUNITY THROUGH SPORTS
St. Joseph is revitalizing its former high school football field (at Mirocke Stadium) by refurbishing it into a multi-purpose youth athletic facility to serve the greater community. When completed in summer 2026, the St. Joseph Athletic Facility will be a regional hub for youth sports serving thousands of families in the Kansas City metro area, fostering physical health, inclusive participation, and community cohesion throughout Shawnee and beyond.
There is no other grade school facility in the area that is designed for such versatile use by Catholic families and is widely available to other community groups for athletic activities and events. Highlights include:
- The facility will be the only dedicated youth tackle & flag football field in the Catholic Youth Organization’s regional network.
- The high-quality turf will be adaptable for youth soccer and lacrosse, promoting multipurpose sports usage.
- A family-friendly track and field will host track practices and encourage healthy activity across ages.
- Enhanced amenities—lighting, sound, video scoreboard, accessible restrooms, fencing, and parking—ensure safe and inclusive access.
- Affordable sports programs will be widely available to CYO, Special Olympics Kansas, and other community youth and adult groups.
- The facility provides a desirable location for companies and brands to reach thousands of families engaged in community-building and recreational activities.
- Frequent use by community partners creates sustainable programming opportunities and vibrancy in downtown Shawnee.
HELP GET THE CAMPAIGN OVER THE GOAL LINE
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Learn more about the Athletic Facility improvements.
