Football Parents Displeased with Practice Facility

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.