Football Parents Displeased with Practice Facility
A few Glen Rock parents want the district to move the football team's practices from Coleman to the new multi-purpose field. But that's not likely to happen this year, the athletic director says.
Two parents of Glen Rock football players told the school board Monday night the current practice facility is "unacceptable."
James McGuire, a parent and former coach, said the new high school multi-purpose field hasn't been getting optimal use, and conditions at Coleman School's field could lead to injuries.
"When injuries occur, time is of the essence," McGuire told the board. The athletic trainer's office is at the high school, a 15 minute walk. Further, the mud-prone field itself is not hashed and its uneven surfaces increase the likelihood of injury, McGuire contended.
To boot, the bathroom facilities are minimal at Coleman. A lone port-a-potty is not always there, he said.
There also are no goal posts at the practice facility, which puts kickers at a disadvantage. The temporary lighting must be manually moved and is not sufficient, he added.
"We dont feel there's any reason it can't be brought back to the high school," he appealed to the board.
But according to Athletic Director Frank Violante, there are reasons it can't be brought back to the high school. For now, anyway.
"Right now there's not enough room here for everybody," he said of the new multi-purpose field, which was renovated in the fall with turf. Soccer teams also use the field during the same times, he said.
He pointed to other teams practicing at Coleman, Hamilton and other facilities that require a lenghty walk. If the fields are dangerous due to mud, Violante said he hoped the coaches would call off the practice.
The field crunch this year is further exacerbated by the ongoing baseball field renovation, which has prevented soccer teams from practicing in its outfield.
Violante said they'll be working to find an appropriate balance for football and all other sports, though it might take some time.
"We're trying to work it out so everybody gets a piece of the pie," he said.
Rene
12:01 am on Thursday, February 14, 2013
Put lights on the field already.
USA1
9:07 am on Thursday, February 14, 2013
Hey Violante, why don't you give up one of the many Assistant Football coaches who get paid a stipend and give that money to the bowling coach. Since you want to make sure "everyone gets a piece of the pie"
Mikka H
10:18 am on Thursday, February 14, 2013
Bowling?
Really.....will they serve BEER? you can't bowl without BEER....it's just not right....
where do I sign up......
Brian
12:52 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
How about instead of complaining, the parents say thanks for spending $4.2 million of tax payer money to build a new turf field? You asked for a new field, got a new field and now are complaining about the consequences. A little appreciation and patience would be greatly appreciated.
Elizabeth Cox
8:53 am on Friday, February 15, 2013
agreed! can't please everyone- someone has to complain! there use to be 2 soccer fields- girls on the top field, boys on the lower and football on the field- everyone was happy-