MONESSEN - As a quarterback in the early 1970s, Ted Harhai guided some great Monessen Greyhound football teams on many scoring drives.
Some 36 years later, Harhai, now a member of the state House of Representatives, has scored one more touchdown for his alma mater.
The Monessen Democrat announced to a large crowd at Memorial Stadium Friday that he was obtaining a $500,000 grant to help the district pay for a $1 million renovation project.
The announcement came during pregame ceremonies to mark the school's 600 all-time wins on the gridiron.
"It was paramount for me to find the funding - a matching grant - for this project," Harhai said. "I was pleased and honored to be able to come back to the school district and help out with a project that is so important to so many people."
Monessen Superintendent Dr. Cindy Chelen said the district floated a $1.6 million bond issue last year for improvements to the stadium and other facilities.
"We did the parking lot at the elementary center and the roof, and we had a half million dollars left," Chelen said. "We started putting out bids for the stadium renovations, and the project, to do it right, would cost a million.
"I called Ted and told him I had a million dollar project and only had $500,000 and to get to work for us."
"One of the stipulations is that it has to be a million dollar project," Harhai said. "I told Cindy, 'You get $500,000 and the state will deliver $500,000.' It was kind of like build it and they will come."
Chelen said the front wall, from ticket booth to ticket booth, including the gates, will be razed. She said the concession stands and bleachers will be renovated.
"The project also calls for new lights to be installed," she said.
Harhai said he has helped obtain grants for many projects in his district, but added money for Memorial Stadium gives him great personal satisfaction.
"Starting when I was a young manager, then in midget league, junior high, JVs and the high school, I spent a lot of years on that field," he said. "And over the years I've come back as a fan many, many times. And the only un-enjoyable moments for me were when we lost. And we haven't lost too many games."
Chelen said some portions of the project will begin when football season ends.
"It means so much to the district to get this money," Chelen said. "It's exciting. It saves taxpayers money and keeps us from raising taxes."
When asked if it was beneficial to have a Monessen alum in a position of influence, Chelen smiled and said, "Yes. Yes it is. Ted has shown time and again to be a great ally for the district."
