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Gladiators to play home opener in Evansville

EVANSVILLE — The Rock County Gladiators will continue spreading their games around the area by playing a game in Evansville this summer.

The semi-pro football team will battle the St. Francis Monarchs at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 6, at Evansville High School stadium. The game will be the team's regular season home opener.

The Gladiators have been playing their home games in Beloit on the field of the former Beloit Catholic High School. The team is branching out this year, playing two preseason games at Monterey Stadium in Janesville.

The team is interested in playing at other high school stadiums in the county because many players come from towns around the county, Gladiators vice president A.J. Albrecht said.

One of the team's quarterbacks, Dan Roberts, is a Milton native and is working with officials in the Milton School District to set up a game, Albrecht said. The district was in the process of hiring a new athletic director, so striking a deal to play in Milton might not work until next year, he said.

The team is investigating games in Edgerton and Orfordville next year, he said.

The Gladiators are looking for halftime entertainment, such as high school or middle school bands, he said.

"If we can give someone an opportunity to come in and perform or do something like that, it's a bonus for us to have something there at halftime and it also gives them an opportunity to practice or get some exposure to people that way," he said.

Playing on Evansville's high school field early in the summer should leave it in fine condition for school sports, said Joe Francis, director of buildings and grounds.

"We think we'll be alright with one game," he said.

"They've been very reassuring that they'll leave the field in good condition," District Administrator Heidi Carvin said.

Not all of the financial details of the contract are worked out yet, she said. But the team will pay the district the standard fees under its community use policy, which include a clerical fee, fees for custodial staff time and a portion of ticket sales, she said.

"We hope they get a good crowd," she said.