Revere Officials Hold Grand Opening Ceremony for Della Russo Stadium

The Revere High football team made it a perfect night for the city with a 35-0 victory over Medford High in the season opener Friday night at the new Harry Della Russo Stadium.

Before the game, Mayor Dan Rizzo and Ward 4 City Councillor Stephen Reardon led the impressive grand opening ceremony for the $8.5 million state-of-the-art facility.

Highlighting the ceremony was the dedication of the Silvio Cella Fieldhouse in memory of the legendary Revere football coach and director of athletics. The 1973 Revere High School Super Bowl football team, coached by Cella, was recognized during the ceremony while former RHS quarterback Jim Del Gaizo, who went on to play for the Miami Dolphins, was one of the guest speakers.

Rizzo, who launched the effort and then executed the plan that resulted in the construction of the new facility, proudly pointed out that the complex not only includes a brand new turf field but a regulation track, new tennis courts and basketball courts. He said the facility will help energize the entire downtown business district.

Officials praised Rizzo and city officials for their efforts making the project a reality.

Speaker of the House Robert A. DeLeo told the large gathering, “We have said many times that Revere is a city which is on the move and that’s because of the wonderful people here tonight. Let’s use these facilities as a place to come together and make Revere an even better city.”

State Sen. Anthony Petruccelli, who played football at Boston College High School and the University of Rochester, congratulated “the members of the Revere School Committee, City Council, and the leader of the city, Mayor Rizzo, for a job well done and bringing this to fruition.”

“Everybody needs a quarterback to march them down the field and our Tom Brady is right here – Mayor Rizzo,” said Petruccelli. “Congratulations to the citizens and the student-athletes who will be using this wonderful facility.”

Petruccelli then elicited one of the most enthusiastic responses from the large crowd, drawing cheers. Borrowing part of a quote from Patriots owner Robert Kraft, Petruccelli said, “Tonight we are all Revere Patriots.”

State Rep. Roselee Vincent said, “It’s really great to be here tonight in this beautiful stadium. I really want to commend our mayor and his entire administration for their leadership in seeing this remarkable complex come to fruition. Without their dedication and hard work, we wouldn’t be standing here tonight in this beautiful facility.”

Vincent said the original Harry Della Russo Stadium was first built in 1935. Eighty years later, Revere has a new stadium that is being hailed as one of the best in the region.

And coach Lou Cicatelli and his RHS football team will be looking to stay undefeated at the new stadium with the renewal of a former Greater Boston League rivalry versus Chelsea High Friday night