Bennie Gatto was back last week at Lathrop High on the athletic field named in his honor.
He was on hand for the Sept. 26 re-dedication ribbon-cutting ceremony at the newly modernized stadium.
Back in 2012, Gatto, who was joined by Joyce (sadly, his wife of 70 years passed away in 2023), was at the initial dedication of the football field.
Not only was he one of the movers and shakers of his beloved City of Lathrop, dating back to the years before the city’s 1989 incorporation, Gatto was also a longtime fixture on the sidelines, working as a member of the chain crew during football games at both East Union High and LHS.
Gatto was joined by students, teachers, and administrators at LHS coupled with Manteca Unified School District officials (Assistant Superintendent Victoria Brunn and school board members Marie Freitas and Denise Mathews).
Work on the stadium renovations began this past spring on the installation of the new field turf and track. The Spartan football team had to play a portion of its home schedule this season at Weston Ranch High during the renovation efforts, returning back to Bennie Gatto Field at Paul Wiggins Stadium in time for last week’s homecoming game.
“The moment the ribbon dropped, students couldn’t wait to start running, trying to the first to run a lap around the new track,” said MUSD officials via social media.
They added, “It was more than just opening a stadium – it was celebrating a space known for making memories and building Spartan pride.”
As for Gatto, he was especially thrilled with the makeover of the stadium. “They did a wonderful job on the field,” he said.
Gatto, who was a two-term mayor of Lathrop along with former city council member and planning commissioner, was also pleased with other recent improvements to the school and around his fast-growing city.
He had long pushed for Lathrop to have its own police force along with an animal shelter.
Gatto, in addition, was pleased to see the Lathrop High monument sign in front of the campus finally get painted in the school colors, making that request numerous times over the years.
