The Gene Deal Fields
Construction on the Gene Deal Fields, a transformative athletic facilities project that honors the extraordinary legacy of longtime SSA coach and Director of Athletics Gene Deal, was completed in October 2022.
In partnership with Strada LLC, a Pittsburgh-based design firm, Shady Side transformed the lower grass athletic fields of its Senior School campus into a state-of-the-art outdoor sports complex featuring a multi-use artificial turf field lined for lacrosse, soccer, baseball, softball and field hockey, as well a dramatically improved spectator experience that includes a grandstand, viewing pavilion and terrace, scoreboard, and upgraded landscaping and walkways. The fields include new team dugouts and a batting tunnel for baseball and softball. In addition, the project includes innovative drainage and storm management systems. View photos and read the news story on the Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony.
The celebratory groundbreaking photo op included Sara and David Scaife of the DSF Charitable Foundation, Board of Trustees Chair Jon Kamin '91, Academy President Bart Griffith '93, representatives from Strada LLC, SSA Director of Facilities Paul Francioni and of course, Gene Deal.
Hired in 1982 and appointed as SSA's fifth athletic director in 1990, Gene Deal has been a beloved figure at Shady Side Academy for more than three decades. He played a central role in the Academy's 1992 decision to rejoin the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL). This was a bold, visionary move that meaningfully changed the face of SSA’s athletic program, increasing its visibility and providing its teams with important competitive balance. Under Deal’s leadership, Shady Side has won 64 WPIAL titles, four WIHLMA titles and 15 PIAA state championships in 18 different boys’ and girls’ sports since 1993. 