OAK RIDGE 2017 FOOTBALL

[atrisk]

Kind of a positive note. If the turf was down the Freshman game would still be on. I'm feeling better already. 

[oridgecat]

12 minutes ago, atrisk said:

Kind of a positive note. If the turf was down the Freshman game would still be on. I'm feeling better already. 

That is true.  Nice and sunny out here now.  

[catswild]

22 minutes ago, atrisk said:

Kind of a positive note. If the turf was down the Freshman game would still be on. I'm feeling better already. 

You're right. Gaddis probably didn't want to tear up Blankenship with two games tonight with all the rain we had earlier.

[oridgecat]

9 minutes ago, catswild said:

You're right. Gaddis probably didn't want to tear up Blankenship with two games tonight with all the rain we had earlier.

Yup.  

[WilleTheWildcat]

I can't believe it has been this long but I moved to Chattanooga to teach in Hamilton County Schools in 2001, and I have read references to a local gentleman who started a business and made very good money. 

Has this gentleman been approached to consider a donation to improve what to me is one of the most important places in Oak Ridge history. Blankenship is a facility that has been used by almost every Oak Ridger since 1943. Players from Boys Club to junior high/middle school, to ORHS has played football there. SoccerCats and Lady SoccerCats have played there. Most ORHS graduations have been held there. The earliest ORHS students attended school there. Countless of other civic activities have been held there. The track has been used by many Oak Ridgers ( like me ) for exercising. When at Jefferson Junior High we used the track for time trials. On weekends many kids have gathered there to play pick up football or ultimate Frisbee. 

If you have taken a breath in Oak Ridge, you have been to Blankenship Field!

If anybody knows if this man has been asked to donate, what was his answer? I would love to talk to this gentleman for a few minutes to plead our case for a donation. Maybe we could honor him by naming the whole facility in his name while keeping the field named for Blankenship and the stadium named for Jack Armstrong.

Put  permanent signs at the lower and upper entrances that reads Welcome to "add his name here" Facility. Home of Blankenship Field and Jack Armstrong Stadium. Just an idea. Any comments?

[atrisk]

Care to name names? Who's property is Blankenship Field? Why haven't THEY maintained their property? This is a city/school board issue. As long as the "golden goose" hope exist, the longer this issue will carry on. Put away the "crying towel"

[oridgecat]

4 minutes ago, atrisk said:

Care to name names? Who's property is Blankenship Field? Why haven't THEY maintained their property? This is a city/school board issue. As long as the "golden goose" hope exist, the longer this issue will carry on. Put away the "crying towel"

I have no idea who Willy is talking about?  

[bounder]

I think I do and he has been approached and he isn't interested.  And Atrist is correct it's the School Board and City's responsibility but they have dropped the "ball" and aren't ever going to do anything about the situation. Guess we just need to learn to live with it. I worked with the Quarterback Club on "The Ship" back in the early 2000's and upgraded some of the facilities. But we could only do so much on a volunteer basis and off donations of materials from local businesses. So now I guess I'm just a grumpy old man about the whole situation. 

Edited October 24, 2017 by bounder

[atrisk]

It has been my experiences that grumpy olden get more done than "pipe dreams"

[OR nole]

17 hours ago, WilleTheWildcat said:

I can't believe it has been this long but I moved to Chattanooga to teach in Hamilton County Schools in 2001, and I have read references to a local gentleman who started a business and made very good money. 

Has this gentleman been approached to consider a donation to improve what to me is one of the most important places in Oak Ridge history. Blankenship is a facility that has been used by almost every Oak Ridger since 1943. Players from Boys Club to junior high/middle school, to ORHS has played football there. SoccerCats and Lady SoccerCats have played there. Most ORHS graduations have been held there. The earliest ORHS students attended school there. Countless of other civic activities have been held there. The track has been used by many Oak Ridgers ( like me ) for exercising. When at Jefferson Junior High we used the track for time trials. On weekends many kids have gathered there to play pick up football or ultimate Frisbee. 

If you have taken a breath in Oak Ridge, you have been to Blankenship Field!

If anybody knows if this man has been asked to donate, what was his answer? I would love to talk to this gentleman for a few minutes to plead our case for a donation. Maybe we could honor him by naming the whole facility in his name while keeping the field named for Blankenship and the stadium named for Jack Armstrong.

Put  permanent signs at the lower and upper entrances that reads Welcome to "add his name here" Facility. Home of Blankenship Field and Jack Armstrong Stadium. Just an idea. Any comments?

Old story.

The gentleman worth $14.7 billion has been approached. Former ORHS basketball captain. Maybe he donated something. Doesn't appear to be large, if at all.

If JG couldn't sell him, I doubt anyone could.

Edited October 24, 2017 by OR nole

[bounder]

In his defense he doesn't donate a lot of money to anybody. Unless something happens that well is dry. Best just move on.

[atrisk]

Puzzling, but a good guy. Have been to a couple of his tailgates at UT. To each his own. "Best move on" is correct.