Cheever Field was completed in 1924, and the last game was played at its original location on September 8, 1989 against Mesabi East. In 1991, Cheever Field was moved to accommodate the new addition to the high school that included a new gym, pool, and band room.[1]
Head Coach at the time of the move was Murry Anderson. Anderson and many of the other coaches at the time felt the field was the best one around. The atmosphere of just being down town Hibbing, and right outside the high school made the field a place everyone wanted to be. It was a great field, but there were safety hazards, and damage beyond repair. This made Cheever field the best part of the school property to put the new addition. The field was then reconstructed on the Hibbing Community College grounds, and Hibbing football is still played there today. [2]
Cheever Field was named after Wilbur Cheever. Cheever was an active participant in football and basketball in high school. He was captain of the high school team in 1994. Cheever went on to play football in junior college at Hibbing from 1925 – 1927. During these years he played quarterback and was the all conference quarterback all three years. Wilbur was an extraordinary football player was referred to as “the man to beat”. Cheever went on to play football at the University of Bozeman in Bozeman Montana. There he broke his leg during a game, and the injury became life threatening when gangrene set in. He wouldn’t allow amputation because it would end his football career. Wilbur Cheever died December 2, 1930. The original stadium was dedicated to him October 6, 1934.[3]
[1] Poster. September 8, 1989. “A last hurrah for Cheever” December 6, 2010.
[2] Interview. Murry Anderson. December 15, 2010.
[3] Wilbur Cheever. July 23, 1993. Hibbing High School Wall of Fame. December 15, 2010.