Bill Sauer Field
Home of the Chieftains
1925-2007

Bill Sauer Field
Aerial Photo of Bill Sauer Field - Circa 2004

The Story of Bill Sauer Field

Bill Sauer Field was home to the Logan Chieftains from 1925 until 2007 and served not only as the home for Chieftain football, but hub for the entire Logan community.  Every Friday night in the fall the old Hilltop came alive for Chieftain football home games. 

Nestled in the valley below the old high school and with cemeteries within sight, Bill Sauer Field created an intimidating atmosphere for opposing teams.  The Hilltop was filled with cars crammed in any spot or near spot fans could find, the sidewalks were full of purple and white as Chieftain fans made their way to the old stadium, and sound of the Marching Chieftains warming up for their famous entry through the East Gates dominated the atmosphere.

Constructed in 1925 by the Logan Kiwanis Club, the LHS Athletic Field was established between Spring and Market Streets behind the high school and was used through the 2007 football season. During its 83 year history, the stadium hosted 426 games and saw the Chieftains play to a record of 270-131-14 and win 23 SEOAL Championships.  The stadium originally consisted of only wooden bleachers built into the hillside between the field and the high school.  The first game was played against Athens in 1925, and the field was dedicated against Columbus East High School, a 9-0 victory for the purple and white.

In the early 1930s a scoreboard and press box were added to the stadium, and lights were first erected in 1935.  In the first game of the 1935 season, Logan hosted Lancaster High School and the first night football game was played in Logan on a Friday night.  A then record crowd of over 1200 people saw the game.  That same season the visiting team was moved to the north sideline, along with the addition of a visitors bleacher section on the same side.

In 1937 the WPA built a new concrete stadium on the south (home) side of the field, upping the capacity on the home side to 2000 people.  The first game was played against McArthur in 1937 and the field was dedicated against Gallia Academy that same season.  The powerful Blue Devils topped LHS 20-19 in the dedication game. 

The LHS Band Booster's concession stand was built in 1949, as well as the addition of the flag pole that still stands in the west endzone.  In 1969 the current press box was built with increased space and visbility.  In 1975 the field was re-dedicated and re-named for Logan's #1 Sports Fan Bill Sauer.

In 1985 a $383,632 facelift made Bill Sauer Field one of the finest facilities in Southeastern Ohio.  The playing surface was replaced, new lights, new visitors bleachers, and repair of the home stadium were all completed.  The current scoreboard was erected that season in time for the opening game of 1985.

The 2007 Chieftains concluded the final season at Bill Sauer Field with a playoff loss to Tri-Valley in a hard fought 31-26 game.  The team captured the school's 23rd football championship with a 7-0 SEOAL mark and a 9-2 mark overall.

Who was Bill Sauer?

Bill Sauer
Bill Sauer
Cerebral Palsy would be a major setback in a normal man's life, but for Bill Sauer it was only the first setback in an amazing life.  Born in 1908, Bill  wasn't supposed to live past the age of seven.  Instead Bill bested that mark by more than ten times, and became a legend and beloved friend to the people of Logan.

"Passing the same test as everyone else," Bill graduated from Logan High School in 1932.  Bill also received an honorary Varsity "L" his senior season for his "unending devotion to all LHS athletic teams."  Bill never missed a game or practice during the school year sports of Football, Basketball, and Track and Field.

After his father died in 1946, Bill supported not only himself, but his mother as well by operating a concession stand at the city pool, a small candy store, and by selling Christmas cards and magazine subscriptions.

Bill's smiling face and his specially made motor vehicles became a familiar sight around Logan.  During a 35-year stretch, Bill missed only three LHS football games.  He became affectionately known as "Logan's Number One Sports Fan."  Bill was named Ohio's Handicapped Person of the Year in 1967.

In 1975, the LHS Athletic Field was officially renamed Bill Sauer Field as a tribute to a man who loved to watch "The Purple and White" play ball.  As a final tribute, Bill was an inaugural inductee into the LHS Athletic Hall of Fame in 1976.