A video of the dedication is at the bottom of the story
CIRCLEVILLE, OH — On a poignant Wednesday evening, the cracks of bats and the cheers of fans were momentarily replaced by a hush of gratitude as Circleville City Schools officially cut the ribbon on the new Earl Dean Field of Dreams and the Earl Dean Champion Complex.
The ceremony marked the completion of a massive renovation project funded by a $1.1 million donation from Terry Dean (Everts High School Class of 1960). The gift was a tribute to Terry’s father, Earl Dean, a legendary local coach and advocate for youth sports who treated every player in Circleville like his own.
The highlight of the evening came when Terry Dean took the podium to address a crowd of student-athletes, coaches, and community members. Dean shared that when he was recently inducted into the Hall of Fame, 12 different baseball players hand-delivered him letters of thanks.
Voice thick with emotion, Dean read one from sophomore Kayon Johnson.
“Dear Mr. Dean… It’s no secret, you donated a lot of money. You might have been able to buy something really nice for yourself. However, you gave your money to help us kids have a really nice baseball field… It makes me want to work harder to prove myself, because I know.”
Terry told the crowd his dad made a promise to a lot of kids that he never had to walk back on, “He [my father] wouldn’t make you the best on the team,” Terry reflected during the ceremony, “but he’d make sure you became the best player you could be.”
Terry reflected on the sheer amount of student-athletes his father coached in his prime, “if you were an alumnus from the 60s, 70s, or 80s, you knew who my dad was.” He remembered when going to games with his dad, 30-year-old men would call his dad their coach and shake his hand.
Project Scope: By the Numbers
The project, which began in October 2025 and reached completion on March 27, 2026, has completely transformed the district’s athletic footprint. Under the guidance of consultant Field Source, the upgrades included:
High-Performance Turf: Installation of turf playing surfaces on varsity baseball and softball infields.
Massive Earthwork: Moving 3,500 yards of dirt and bringing in 4,000 tons of stone.
Premium Outfields: 115,000 square feet of high-performance Kentucky Bluegrass sod.
Fan Experience: 2,000 square feet of new concrete for spectator seating.
The varsity baseball field now carries the Earl Dean Field of Dreams moniker, while the expanded complex—which houses the Terry Anderson Varsity Softball Field, tennis courts, and football practice area—has been renamed the Earl Dean Champions Complex.
Honoring a ‘Reliable’ Man
Terry Dean shared several anecdotes about his father, painting a picture of a man who believed in showing up. Earl Dean was a staple at the Pickaway Power Plant, famously never missing a day of work—except for the one time he called in “sick” to watch his sons play in the district finals.
“Dad believed in hard work, in showing up, and in making sure kids had opportunities,” Terry said. “That’s what this gift is about.”
A Future for Tigers Athletics
Superintendent Dr. Kimberly Halley expressed the district’s deep gratitude for the transformational gift, noting that the fields will carry Earl Dean’s name and values for generations.
As the spring athletic season gets underway, Circleville athletes will now compete on collegiate-level surfaces, a reality that Mr. Dean says was made possible by the dedication of the staff, Coach Bingham, and the vision of Ryan DeMay.
The Earl Dean Field of Dreams is now open for the 2026 season. Come out and support your Tigers as they christen the new turf!
