LancasterOnline reporter Debbie Wygent writes this morning about Octorara’s summer reading program and the recommendation by Dr. Newcome to forgo installing artificial turf on the stadium field, for now.
Here’s what Debbie wrote:
Also, Newcome said during last Monday’s school board work session that he is recommending the district only play soccer on the varsity field.
There was some friction between the soccer and football programs last fall when the rainy, muddy season made field maintenance a challenge. The school board had allowed the football team to play a home game on the varsity field, but some soccer players said that stressed the field, making it dangerous for other athletes.
Newcome said he is going to suggest that the school board approve keeping only soccer games on varsity field, but allow one home football game at the end of the soccer season. He is suggesting the football team find a neutral field for home games. The football team has a practice field, but no facilities for visitors.
“At the March (school board) meeting, I’ll have a blueprint for how to move forward with the sports program this fall,” Newcome said.
Given the district’s anemic economic tax base and the uncertainty of continuing funding from Harrisburg and Washington, this option of playing football on a neighboring field is the least expensive and the most appropriate path for the district to take at this time.
This approach buys the time needed for the ongoing discussions between soccer and football boosters and the district to work out a solution that balances the competing requirements of the 1) district’s athletic programs, 2) the other diverse and far ranging academic needs of the district and of course with 3) what the taxpayers of Octorara can afford.
Read Debbie’s entire article here.
I wonder what facilities visiting football teams require? Soccer, field hockey, cross country, baseball, track, softball all show up to games and just play. No locker rooms required. Having a football team travel to every game takes “home field” advantage away. It also takes community pride away as well knowing we can’t even find a field for our football team to play on with the HUGE campus we have! If my memory serves me correct doesn’t the JV team play all of their games behind the PLC? Why can’t the varsity football team do the same?
I thought from the article that the reason why they are not doing a field for the football team is to pay for the summer reading program. Is that the “almighty god of reading” trumping the “almighty god of football?”
Why not put soccer games on the field behind the PLC and put football at the stadium? Football gate sales bring in much more money than soccer games. Gate sales can be put towards the sports program and renovation of the stadium.