Menasha hosts community scrimmage at Banta Bowl to kick off football season

Menasha football is playing their home games at the Banta Bowl on the campus of Lawrence University. Aug. 13, 2026. PC: Fox 11 Online

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Menasha football opened the doors to its community on Thursday, but this time at their new temporary home.

The Bluejays will play their home games at the Banta Bowl on the Lawrence University campus. On Thursday they hosted Xavier for a scrimmage, their first event of the season.

“It’s a phenomenal place,” said head coach Jeramie Korth. “We kind of hit a home run with this.”

Last month, the tornado caused the bleachers to cave in and a light pole to snap in half at Nathan Calder Stadium in Menasha. They quickly found the Banta Bowl and have been practicing at Maplewood Middle School.

“It’s allowed them to focus on something they love right,” said Korth. “If we are able to put away the distractions in our life and some things like that that are negative and surround it with positive things, I think that’s great for everybody. So mentally very healthy for them to get back on the football field. I think healthy for their families. I think healthy for the city of Menasha.”