Crusaders inaugurate newly renovated athletic field

By Cristina Cabrera Jarro -

Photography: Cristina Cabrera Jarro

MIAMI | St. Michael the Archangel School inaugurated its newly renovated athletic field with a community celebration Sept. 28, 2025. More than 700 attendees — students, families, faculty, staff, and alumni — gathered to enjoy food, games and the revamped space, now suitable for baseball, softball, soccer, cross-country, and more.

At the event, Father Elvis Gonzalez, pastor, and principal Lisette Reina-Naranjo, both dressed in the purple and gold St. Michael Crusaders jerseys and caps, threw out the ceremonial first pitch at a softball game to mark the occasion.

“When I became principal three years ago, the field was one of the main things to fix,” said Reina-Naranjo, an alumna of the class of 1980. “The kids weren’t playing. The field was a mess. So, the fact that we’ve done this with the help of so many, it means the world. The kids now have a field that they can use for (physical education), we can host games, and it doesn’t flood. There’s a lot of positives and we’re very excited.”

Auxiliary Bishop Enrique Delgado, who celebrated Mass at St. Michael Parish prior to the event, also attended. Before the ribbon-cutting ceremony, he blessed the field.

“Lord, send your blessing upon these fields so that all those who play on them may be blessed, and may always attain physical fitness while keeping a spirit of love for you, Lord,” he prayed.

Among those in attendance was Armando Senra Jr., a St. Michael alumnus whose family construction company, 3A Builders, led the renovations. As a student, Senra played multiple sports for the school, where his brother and sister also attended.

“It’s a lot of years being here, and finally an opportunity as adults to come back and do something significant,” Senra said.

Before renovations, Senra initially reached out to Reina-Naranjo with a different proposal. Inspired by his other alma mater, Belen Jesuit Preparatory School, he wanted to start an alumni association at St. Michael’s. She invited him to the school, and during their meeting, she asked him how long it had been since he last visited.

“It had been a while. So, when we started walking, I saw the field, and I said, ‘Wow, the field’s in pretty bad shape.’”

The field sits several inches below the level of the surrounding residential area and was prone to flooding during rainy days. Over time, the baseball playing portion became unusable. Reina-Naranjo explained that the school had not had a baseball team in four years because the field was in such unplayable conditions. With 74 years of wear and tear, it was finally time to renovate.

The project expanded from simple repairs to a full overhaul, including a new drainage system, leveled grounds, topsoil, sprinklers, fencing, dugouts, batting cage, and more. During construction, P.E. classes were restricted to just the basketball court.

“You could see the kids looking and waiting,” Senra recalled.

Senra and 3A Builders aimed to create the best facility in the archdiocese for students from pre-K through middle school.

“What was here before lasted as long as it lasted, so this should last even longer,” he said. “It was a need, and we did it. Now, we have everybody saying it’s one of the better fields.”