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3- Reeds Spring and Hollister get Artificial Turf
Within less than 24 hours Reeds Spring and Hollister both announced that they would be installing artificial turf. Two different situations that ended with two incredible fields.
Reeds Spring was in dire need of something to be done with the playing surface. Despite a really nice stadium, the field itself was among the worst in southwest Missouri. So bad in fact, that a home playoff game had to be moved to a neutral site a few years ago. Enter Pro Football Hall of Fame President/Executive Director David Baker. Baker had a relationship with the school after a speaking engagement for the schools Foundation. He was able to set them up with the University of Cincinnati, who despite having new turf themselves was going to have to make a change to accommodate the soccer team they share the field with.
It was great deal for both sides. Reeds Spring would get the highest level of turf on the market and get it a greatly reduced price. And the University would be able to unload the surface they no longer had a use for.
For some of us it was almost like a child waiting on Christmas morning as the process of preparing the ground and then laying the turf down took place. The result was an absolutely incredible place for the Wolves to call home.
Hollister, meanwhile, had what I considered to be the best playing surface that I see all year. There is not a level of football anywhere that would not have been pleased to play on that field. That is tribute to the hard work done by the guys that take care of all the fields in the school system.
That being said, Hollister Superintendent, Dr Brian Wilson and the Hollister Community wanted even better for the students. At the request of Dr Wilson and Coach Jacob Hamon the Hollister Community stepped up. Through the generous donations of businesses the school district was able to secure the funds needed to make the turf field a reality. And the new look Tiger Stadium is something to behold.
Both schools point to the fields being more than just for high school football. And, I can tell you, first hand, that I have already seen both places being utilized in different ways. Whether its youth football, band competitions, or PE classes the turf is already paying off for both districts. The fields are, and should be, places of pride for the communities.
