To further interest in the student athletics, Highland will be undertaking a massive renovation effort of its sport facilities.
The district is set to install a turf surface for the football field, as well as replace the current track surface.
Kicking off May 9, the project is set to be completed by Aug. 5 in time for fall sporting events.
Following the renovation effort, Highland will become the lone school in Morrow County with an artificial turf surface on its football field.
The renovation project will be completed by Vasco Sports Group and the MOTZ Group.
The district has been setting aside funding for the new track for a number of year.
And with a donation of $250,000 from Jack Fishburn; the Fishburn Family Field at Covrett Stadium will be home to new generations of Highland Scots.
Aug. 19 will be the premier Scots’ soccer match, with Highland girls beginning at 5 p.m. and Boys Soccer at 7 p.m. In addition, Scots Madness will be held on the same evening with an introduction to all Highland student athletes.
When asked what has changed for Highland High School athletics, Mike Delaney, new Athletic Director for Highland, quickly responded, “Updates to the facilities, growth of the Booster Club and of course, soccer.”
Coming from Big Walnut School District, Delaney knows about the growing pains of a small town school with an increasing population.
A former head basketball and football coach, Delaney has seen how a changing community effects trends in high school sports. For example, under Mr. Delaney, Highland has welcomed soccer into their athletic program, expecting other sports to become more popular and part of Highland Athletics in the future.
“The more choices, the more ways we allow kids to express themselves athletically, the better it is for students,” said the AD.
Since the formation of Highland H.S. Varsity Soccer, Highland Scots Soccer Club participant numbers have jumped from 96 kids to 143.
According to the athletic director board report, Highland has 182 students, (grades 7-12), participating in spring sports. The MOAC has recognized 127 Highland athletes, (grades 9-12), who have maintained a GPA of 3.2 or higher through the first six weeks of school, giving credence that students who are athletes can excel in both sports and academics at Highland.
