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Police are searching for clues to help track down vandals who spray painted graffiti on the field and press box of the newly renovated $1.3 million high school stadium.Click to enlarge

Police are searching for clues to help track down vandals who spray painted graffiti on the field and press box of the newly renovated $1.3 million high school stadium.Click to enlarge

BEAVERCREEK — It took only a few hours of work, some paint and cleaning solution to wash away most traces of vandalism at Beavercreek's newly refurbished $1.3 million stadium, but the stain remains.

"You finally get something nice and this happens. It's unfortunate," said Ed Zink, Beavercreek athletic director. "For the most part we got it cleaned up."

Vandals spray-painted graffiti on the new artificial turf and press box, destroyed granite benches and defecated on the 50-yard line, according to police reports and district officials.

Police think it happened between 2:30 a.m. and 3:15 a.m. Tuesday, July 15, and the suspects might be driving a white car, possibly a Mustang.

The graffiti refers to Stebbins High School and its sports team the Indians. Officials from the Mad River School District are also conducting an investigation, said Dennis Morrison, Beavercreek superintendent.

Beavercreek opens its football season against the Indians next month, but Zink said there isn't a particularly heated rivalry between the schools. "It could have been anybody that did this," he said. "I don't want to point the finger at Stebbins."

Beavercreek is considering increasing security after this vandalism and another less serious incident earlier in the summer.

Coaches and staff are also speaking to students, Zink said. "I hope our kids have enough class, and I think they do, so they don't go retaliate."

Despite the cleanup, a few stains remain on the newly installed artificial turf.

Workers are putting the finishing touches on the $1.3 million renovation to Frank Zink Field that included new turf, track and refurbished stadium. Money for the project came from a 10-year agreement, signed in January, with Premier Health Partners, for exclusive advertising and naming rights.

Board members and school officials said the remodeling was needed because the high school's outdoor athletic facilities were in such poor shape the school could not hold track meets.

Contact the reporter at (937) 225-2342 or cmagan@DaytonDailyNews.com