The Kirtland Local School District is pleased to announce that John Wilson, Jr., owner of AQUA DOC Lake & Pond Management and a 1980 graduate of Kirtland High School, has purchased the naming rights to the stadium for $200,000.
John Wilson Jr. was introduced to the football team in the locker room prior to their November 4 playoff game. Athletic Director Matt Paul said to the players, “Mr. Wilson is allowing us to get exactly what we want in our stadium because of his generosity.”
“We are getting the best materials money can buy because of him,” said Coach Tiger LaVerde.
“John is a great fit for the naming rights of our renovated stadium. He is a Kirtland graduate and self-made success story from years of hard work! Mr. Wilson is a huge sports fan and loves following the Hornets. I am very thankful for his generosity and support which will allow us to upgrade our turf and provide funding to our facilities and programs ” said Superintendent Chad VanArnhem.
The district will receive $20,000 for the next 10 years with $10,000 paid at signing of the agreement. Under terms of the deal, which will be voted on officially at the Board of Education meeting on November 28, the stadium will be known as “Wilson Stadium.”
Now with John Wilson, Jr.’s commitment to our stadium project, we are able to use private money to upgrade the turf that has a longer warranty and put it towards maintaining the district’s athletic facilities. The Kirtland Athletic Boosters have also donated $40,000 to this project. Their support has helped ensure that the turf will be upgraded. The Kirtland Athletic Boosters continue to be extremely supportive and helpful to the district’s athletic programs.
Wilson has lived in Kirtland for 29 years and has always loved Kirtland athletics. “Watching football in Kirtland is always so unbelievable,” said Wilson. “You have put yourself on the map and created a phenomenal program. We want our home to be the best. It’s exciting to be a part of it.”
Since 1983, AQUA DOC has been maintaining ponds for individual homeowners, associations, condominiums, businesses, golf courses, municipalities and marinas. AQUA DOC’s focus is sustainable stewardship of freshwater ecosystems and maintaining a healthy balance in the waters they manage.
Wilson’s passion for lakes and ponds began in 1983, when he began working for the small family company that would one day become AQUA DOC. In 1989, he purchased the company from founder William P. Cloonan and has grown AQUA DOC into the industry leader it is today. To this day, Wilson’s hands-on involvement with his company has not changed and he can still be found on the many lakes and ponds AQUA DOC manages and meeting with clients. When Wilson is not out on the waters, he is spending quality time with his wife of 34 years, Jeanine and their two children, Maddie and Johnny III. He enjoys playing hockey and baseball and can often be found attending sporting events from the local Kirtland High School football game to the World Series.
The district continues to pursue other sponsorships. Interested businesses, organizations or individuals can contact VanArnhem at chad.vanarnhem@kirtlandschools.org.