Just over one year ago, the home of the Mason Punchers, R. Clinton Schulze Stadium, best known as the Puncherdome, sustained damage when a windstorm whipped through town in April 2024. Graduation was hastily relocated to the River of Life gymnasium and the fate of the home-game venue hung in the balance.
Engineers determined that the stadium would need a complete overhaul of the roof structure and press box, reinforced bleachers and a new roof on the ticket booth.
The report estimated that winds on the day of the event topped 70 mph. There was direct damage to the press box, such that replacement was recommended. The roof framing of the bleachers was affected by the winds from the storm. Under the circumstances, engineers concluded, it cost efficient to replace the entire roof rather than implement local repairs. No repairs were needed to the seats and minimal repair could be made to the concrete pedestals that support the posts of the seats.
