Photo courtesy of Mifflin County School District.
Aerial view of the Husky Multisport Facility Project construction site in May 2024.
LEWISTOWN — If legendary Lewistown band director Palmer S. Mitchell were still alive, he probably would have written a swan song for the venerable field that bears his name.
The night lights at Mitchell Field will be turned off after Friday’s high school football game between the Mifflin County Huskies and Red Land. The Huskies, who have hosted football games since 1949 when the stadium was named Mitchell Field, will move into a state-of-the-art stadium in 2025.
The Husky multi-sport facility project is expected to house many sports teams and host prestigious events such as band contests, similar to the events Mitchell Field hosted in its heyday.
“If you think about what Palmer Mitchell would say, I think he would think it was a great idea and would be very enthusiastic about the possibility of having a band event in Mifflin County.” said Art Belfiore, Mifflin County High School Band Director.
While Belfiore will certainly not be able to attend the friendlies, he is excited about the opportunities the new multi-sport complex will bring to the Marching Huskies.
Photo courtesy of Mifflin County School District.
Alumni band members will perform at Mitchell Field on October 4th.
The thought of hosting a competition in Mifflin County makes me salivate, especially considering the incredible success of the band program.
Largest alumni band participants
Respect for the marching band’s accomplishments, combined with the desire of many former members to march on Mitchell Field one last time, resulted in this year’s Homecoming, the largest alumni turnout in more than a decade.
“We have more than 160 alumni representing each decade from the 1950s to the 2020s.” Belfiore said. “The oldest graduate graduated in 1954 and actually auditioned for Palmer Mitchell.” Belfiore said.
“I know there was a big turnout because it was the last homecoming at Mitchell Field.” Belfiore added. “We hope to generate enough excitement and enthusiasm that the same people will come back year after year.”
Photo courtesy of Mifflin County School District.
A record number of graduates performed with the marching band at the final Homecoming on October 4 at Mitchell Field.
What if a new stadium with a successful band program and strong brand doesn’t succeed?
The marching band will have its own dedicated section in the new football stadium, similar to the blue band at Penn State’s Beaver Stadium.
Richard joined the band to be in the game
Before that happens, Mitchell Field will get one last swan song, allowing those who remember it fondly to share their memories.
“I first became aware of Palmer Mitchell as a coach when I was in sixth or seventh grade.” I remember Frieda Richard, a 1954 graduate of Lewistown High School and perhaps the oldest member of the band. She currently serves as president of the Lewistown Community Band.
Photo courtesy of Mifflin County School District.
A “Welcome to Mitchell Field” sign hangs at the historic stadium between South Main Street and Lindbergh Way in Lewistown.
“I wanted to go to the football game, but I thought the only option was to join the band.” Richard added.
So she started playing the flute the summer of sixth grade and passed an audition for the marching band.
“I was the only flute player at that time.” Richard said. “That was my connection to Palmer Mitchell. He passed away that fall, so our relationship became very limited.”
Mitchell’s relationship with the Richard family didn’t end there. She said her father and Mitchell “were contemporaries at Penn State.” They were in various bands together.
“I knew about Palmer Mitchell.” Richard added. “He was a musical hero. I hung out with him for a few months. He started my middle and high school career in my high school band.”
community loses a true friend
On October 30, 1948, the community lost a true friend when Mr. Mitchell, a respected music teacher and band director at Lewistown High School, died in his sleep.
At its regular meeting on December 29, 1948, the Lewistown Board of Education “New name for Lewistown High School playground.” According to the Sentinel. The sports facility known as the Lewistown High School Athletic Field has since become known as Mitchell Field in memory of Palmer Mitchell.
Mitchell shared his love of music not only with his students, but also with the community of central Pennsylvania. “Many bands attended his funeral in Beaver Springs all at once.” Richard said.
“I think one of the most important things is that Mitchell Field is said to be the only football field named after a band director.” Richard added. “I’ve always heard about it. I don’t know if it’s the only field in Pennsylvania, the only field in the United States, or the only field period.”
Either way, the impact Mitchell has on his students and community is the same.
Richard laughed, “I didn’t play the flute to play music. I just wanted to be at the football game.”
She was excited to be a part of this year’s alumni band, which included a record number of 160 alumni.
memories will live on
Jim Platzer, who lives in Johnstown, returned for the homecoming game on Oct. 4. “The district is building a new stadium to replace the one we have called home since the 40s.” Platzer wrote on social media.
“I also get to be on the field with my sister Mandy, which we didn’t have the opportunity to do.” Platzer added. “Thank you to everyone who made it happen. It was awesome.” He also used to belong to the blue band.
Some said it was a special night. Despite not being a Mifflin County graduate, one of the event’s organizers, Stephanie Diehl, is credited by many as the reason so many graduates attended.
“I moved to Lewistown in 2000 with my husband, who graduated from Indian Valley.” said Deal, a 1994 graduate of Tunkhannock Regional High School.
“I have served as the Mifflin County Alumni Association Marching Band Alumni Director for the past two years, and prior to that I joined the Alumni Association once it was opened to schools outside of Mifflin County.” Mr Deal added. “We were so excited to have such a great turnout for this year’s alumni band.”
Although Diehl is sad to think this will be the last time the band members step foot on Mitchell Field, he is excited to continue the tradition next year at a brand new field.
“We hope to have a large turnout for the ‘First Alumni Band Reunion’ march on the lawn!” It would also be great to have current band members and alumni march together from the high school to the field. ” Mr. Deal explained.
Some parents are like Jennifer McArdle Eichhorn of Yeagertown, whose son Wade is now a Marching Husky. “We’ve had parent-child combos several times.” said Cole Cullen, another graduate who went on to play in the prestigious Blue Band.
Karen’s oldest son, Riley, returned to the Homecoming march with his girlfriend, Mikayla Pecht. Both are 2020 Mifflin County graduates. “He and I shared the field with my youngest son, Bailey, who is still in the band.” Karen explained.
“It was very nostalgic.” Riley added. “While I look forward to updates, Mitchell Field will always hold a special place in my heart. I am very grateful for the opportunity to visit it one last time.”
Lewistown graduate Roy Long was also there. He has attended Homecoming many times, but never with as many participants as this year.
And there’s more to the story. And memories. All tied together by a common bond: Mitchell Field. May you continue to live in song.
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