Fund Manitowoc Chiefs "Field of Dreams" Project

Michael Cummings is organizing this fundraiser to benefit Chiefs Football Inc.

Tax deductible

The Manitowoc Chiefs' "Field of Dreams" project seeks funding to transform our youth football facilities into a state-of-the-art hub that inspires and serves our growing community of young athletes. Our organization has been pivotal in fostering youth development through football, providing programs to over 550 participants annually, including our newly welcomed cheerleading team and upcoming adult flag football league.

The Manitowoc Chiefs organization has a long history in Manitowoc and has been in existence since 1937 (88 years) & offering youth football since 1974 (51 years). Despite our historic success, outdated infrastructure and insufficient facilities hinder our ability to provide a safe and positive environment for our athletes. This project addresses critical infrastructure needs, including parking expansion, ADA accessibility, field lighting, and modern scoreboards, among others, with a comprehensive budget of $1.5 million.

If you're a Company Sponsor &/or Donor wanting to write a check instead of donate on this GoFundMe, our mailing address is: P.O. Box 234; Manitowoc, Wi 54241. You can also kindly contact Michael Cummings (Manitowoc Chiefs President) to arrange any other sponsor/donation details.

This project promises significant, long-lasting benefits—enhancing community engagement, supporting youth development, and setting a new standard for athletic facilities in Northeast Wisconsin. We are committed to maintaining and operationalizing these improvements sustainably, ensuring that our facilities continue to be a source of inspiration and enrichment for the community.

The "Field of Dreams" project will address the following critical needs:

Parking: Parking is a major issue at our location. This construction project will add approximately 50 spots along with dedicated bus parking.
ADA Access to Field: Currently, there is no accessible pathway to the field area for those with disabilities. This construction project will provide a paved path that adheres to ADA standards.
Field Lights: Right now, our programs are limited to daylight hours. We have grown to serve over 350+ youth athletes through our NFL Flag & Tackle Programs. With the number of athletes and programs we have running, lights will allow us to continue to expand our programming, which will include adult offerings in the future.
New Scoreboard: Our current scoreboard is over 30 years old. We fear if something breaks, we will not be able to get parts for it. This project provides a larger scoreboard with more capabilities.
Sound System: We currently don’t have a dedicated sound system for the field area and utilize portable speakers. This construction project will install a permanent stadium-grade sound system under the scoreboard.
Bleachers: Our current bleachers are not designated for football and are on the verge of being taken out of service. They can accommodate about 25% of those in attendance for our events. This construction project will add a 500-seat elevated bleacher system along with ADA-compliant ramps.
Field Storage: We currently have a small shed with no power on the field. The shed is not large enough to accommodate all of our equipment and is starting to have structural issues. This construction project will provide a new storage shed with power and lights large enough to accommodate all of our Tackle & Flag equipment.
Press Box with Storage: We currently video record games from a tripod standing on either the back of a John Deere Gator or picnic table. This construction project will allow us to mount a permanent camera to monitor the field when not in use and also have a place for events protected from the weather to record games. Not to mention, it will be at the appropriate height for recording football activities. The storage under the press box will provide additional field storage for expanding programming equipment needs.
Field Irrigation System: Our current field does not have irrigation. We use the field from April through October, so maintaining a proper playing surface is critical to our programming and also player safety. This construction project will allow us to have the field infrastructure in place to ensure a safe surface for our athletes.
Goalposts: Our existing goalposts are just metal poles connected by scaffolding clamps. The base of the poles is “hard pounded” in the ground (no base or footing) and deteriorated in the ground where a hard enough shake or impact will bring them down, thus a safety hazard. This construction project will provide official football goalposts intended for the sport and mounted on an actual foundation intended for the goalposts.
Concessions Stand: Our existing concessions stand was built by volunteers and not up to acceptable standards due to a multitude of reasons. This project will remove the existing concessions stand and replace it with a professional-grade facility which is used for over 25 events a year.
Pavilion Improvements: One of the first things visitors see when entering the facility is the Al Kubsch Pavilion. This pavilion is in need of much-needed “TLC.” This construction project will give the pavilion a facelift which will inspire further revenue streams through rentals.
Concourse & Fencing: Right now, there is just a grass hill between the parking area and the field. This construction project will provide a timeless illuminated concourse which celebrates the history of the Manitowoc Chiefs along an official path to take a visitor from the parking area to the field. The field will be fenced off to channel all visitors through the concourse and they enter under an iron archway.
Professional Landscaping: There is not much landscaping at the facility right now. This construction project will be finished with professional landscaping to ensure the overall beauty and experience of the Manitowoc Chiefs facility is second to none.
Player Benches: Our current player sideline benches and locker room benches are made of wood. All benches appear to be at end of life without considerable rehabilitation. Additionally, all benches are not long enough to accommodate our current team needs. This project would replace all benches with industrial-grade powder-coated metal benches long enough to accommodate our team needs.
Sideline Tarps: The Manitowoc Chiefs field is a natural grass field. During Tackle Football game days, the area where our players stand becomes degraded which makes grass nearly impossible to maintain. Sideline tarps will prevent the grass from being “ripped up” so we can maintain an adequate surface for our other programming.

Through these strategic efforts, the Manitowoc Chiefs are committed to maintaining and enhancing the value of our newly developed facilities, ensuring they continue to be a source of community pride and engagement for years to come.

Here is what our current facility looks like: