Blankenship Field

[catmom]

I was disappointed to hear that Blankenship Field was in poor condition and that there were bare spots on the field. I know that in past years the field was consistently mowed and that work on the bare spots often took place during the spring and summer. I heard today that winter rye was planted so that the field would look good for graduation. We need to remember that this is a football field and not a photo opportunity for graduation pictures.

In years past the football boosters (ususally only a handful) would take two Saturdays in the month of July to paint the steps, pawprints and any other cardinal and grey areas at the stadium. We were very proud of the traditions of the past booster members. I know that parents have become very busy and many families include two working parents and so it is very difficult to find volunteers to help in these parent organizations. I believe this reflects on why students don't want to work very hard either--it becomes that same old "someone else will do it." We don't want to do the work but sure want the praise!

TRADITIONS ARE WHAT MAKE THE OAK RIDGE WILDCATS!!! I urge the Oak Ridge Boosters and parents to step up and make the team proud. Call any former football booster and ask some of the activities that have been done in the past to instill pride and emotion into this team. I am sure they will give you a lengthy list. HERE'S WISHING A GREAT OAK RIDGE FOOTBALL SEASON!! GO CATS!!

[catmom]

After rereading my ow n post I need to clarify a couple of items. I did not mean to imply that the boosters are responsible for the grass on the field-they are not. That should be the responsibility of the school system. Our football field is often the first and only impression some visitors to Oak Ridge see. We would want that to be the best it can be. So let's all work together to make it that way. If you can't support the boosters with your time, I know that they will be happy to take a monetary contribution.

[Ole Dad]

I agree mom. The field is the responsibilty of the school system and Carringer. I think that "The Tank" could make a big impact on this siuation with a timely article and pictures in the Oak Ridger ASAP. That is probably a noble cause and article for him. Also, as I said in another post...hand out a list of the school boards home phone numbers at the Tueday skrimmage so the 1,500 faithful can place calls to each of them and see how fast it gets fixed. This is unacceptable.

After rereading my ow n post I need to clarify a couple of items.  I did not mean to imply that the boosters are responsible for the grass on the field-they are not.  That should be the responsibility of the school system.  Our football field is often the first and only impression some visitors to Oak Ridge see.  We would want that to be the best it can be.  So let's all work together to make it that way.  If you can't support the boosters with your time, I know that they will be happy to take a monetary contribution.

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[TankTalk]

"The Tank" would love to have something in tomorrow's issue. He would also love to have some folks go on the record and call him as early as possible with some info and nice quotes about the legitimate concern. I will also contact Carringer in the AM to get his take on the situation.

 

I am concerned about a photo, however. Running black and white during the week ... and trying to show the brown may not be as mentally effective as I would like. I have seen Blankenship Field - it's not what you would expect from a program like Oak Ridge.

 

With all of that said, I do in fact think we need to get something in the sports pages about the field conditions. I just want to make sure I get both sides of things and without something other than posts from those equally concerned, the article may not be very strong.

[Lost Old Dad]

Just show the school board the cost of seed and then the cost it would take to make it 'turf'. That should get their attention!

 

Unfortunately with ANY volunteer organization be it boosters or whatever, only about 5% do the work so the other 95% can enjoy it. Oak Ridge is NOT alone when it comes to that.

 

I have seen parents that would spend thousands of dollars on their kids, but not 5 minutes. Unfortunately I see them in court everyday!

 

I challange EVERY parent on here to spend some time with YOUR children everyday. It will not only do them good, it will do YOU good as well.

[Ole Dad]

That field was done in prescription Bermuda turf with a great irrigation system years ago. I'm sure Tank can get the scoop on what was done and how the field is supposed to be cared for from Bounder or one of the old heads. If they have let it go to the dogs then the SB should step up immeadiatly and resod the field with new Bermuda before the season. Overseading is only a winter fix to protect the Bermuda and make a field look good temporaily. Deffered maintenance is what is ruining all of the OR facilities. Enough is enough.

Just show the school board the cost of seed and then the cost it would take to make it 'turf'.  That should get their attention!

 

Unfortunately with ANY volunteer organization be it boosters or whatever, only about 5% do the work so the other 95% can enjoy it.  Oak Ridge is NOT alone when it comes to that.

 

I have seen parents that would spend thousands of dollars on their kids, but not 5 minutes.  Unfortunately I see them in court everyday!

 

I challange EVERY parent on here to spend some time with YOUR children everyday.  It will not only do them good, it will do YOU good as well.

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[o21putt]

Blankenship field has been one of the worst conditioned fields in the area for the past several years. There are many schools in the area that have better fields, Clinton, Anderson County, Kingston just to name a few. It is my understanding that the City of Oak Ridge is in charge of that field. Of course, I could be wrong. I don't think that the school system has anything to do with the up keep of the field. They have tried many different methods to make it better and nothing seems to work. Sounds to me that they need to go and get a "good" golf course suprertindent that knows how to grow grass and maintain it. It is usually a quagmire in some areas and then some areas have very little grass. Go figure. It is kind of like the dressing room that they provided for the visitors and as far as that goes the dressing room for Oak Ridge itself under the pressbox is inadequate to say the least. They could use some good idea people to spruce the place up.

[Ole Dad]

I'm sure "The Tank" will get to the bottom of it and help the charge to correct the situation. He will dig up the facts. Smart guy!

Blankenship field has been one of the worst conditioned fields in the area for the past several years.  There are many schools in the area that have better fields, Clinton, Anderson County, Kingston just to name a few.  It is my understanding that the City of Oak Ridge is in charge of that field.  Of course, I could be wrong.  I don't think that the school system has anything to do with the up keep of the field.  They have tried many different methods to make it better and nothing seems to work.  Sounds to me that they need to go and get a "good" golf course suprertindent that knows how to grow grass and maintain it.  It is usually a quagmire in some areas and then some areas have very little grass.  Go figure.  It is kind of like the dressing room that they provided for the visitors and as far as that goes the dressing room for Oak Ridge itself under the pressbox is inadequate to say the least.  They could use some good idea people to spruce the place up.

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[DCCATVOICE]

Actually, the city doesn't maintain the fields. It is the school system that does..Of course you would think that the city and schools were the same but they aren't. The school system should have used the grass from the soccer field they plowed under and moved it to the Ship. That field had the nicest grass of any field around. Now it sits under a pile of dirt. Dead

[catmom]

Great Point!! Hopefully this thread will get all the powers that be to think about the condition of the field. I also hope that the current boosters won't let certain traditions die. Does anyone know if the senior class still hosts a cookout after the freshman/jv scrimmage, bananas and gatorade after practice, junior and senior lunch on Fridays with that famous "Wildcat Pudding"?

[OR nole]

Aside from the grass issue, the locker rooms are not what a pround program such as Oak Ridge should have.

 

Maybe someone knows the answer to this. Does a certain ORHS alumni/athlete, 34th richest person in the world, satellite TV company founder contribute to the school? I know he owes nothing to anyone, but help with the funding for the school improvements would be just a drop in the bucket to someone who got his start in such an outstanding school system.

 

Or is he very generous and does not seek publicity?

Edited August 9, 2005 by OR nole

[o21putt]

Interesting thought OR nole. I asked that same question a few weeks ago about the same individual that you are referring to. At this point in time, he has not contributed to the renovation fund for the OR High School. Things that make you go Hmmm.