OAK RIDGE 2017 FOOTBALL

[GIJoe]

The lineman are waiting for the turf and Jumbotron. Trust me you all are not the only ones with that problem.  I hear you hung with Maryville and last year you guys were not terrible offensively. I guess I have 1 more week before I become an adversary.

[atrisk]

Twenty-five more fund raisers and we will get started on those projects. Meanwhile let's wash the widows in the pressbox. Honestly I'm not all about the turf.

[IanMackaye]

It doesn’t sound like you all are at any risk of getting turf any time soon. I don’t understand the push for that either. I also don’t understand why your football stadium isn’t at the school, why it’s a couple of miles away. I know that the high school used to be over there and that’s why the field is there, but I don't get why OR never moved it to the school like every single other school. It would make a ton more sense and actually be a public asset right there in the middle of town.

[SweetScience]

59 minutes ago, IanMackaye said:

It doesn’t sound like you all are at any risk of getting turf any time soon. I don’t understand the push for that either. I also don’t understand why your football stadium isn’t at the school, why it’s a couple of miles away. I know that the high school used to be over there and that’s why the field is there, but I don't get why OR never moved it to the school like every single other school. It would make a ton more sense and actually be a public asset right there in the middle of town.

That'll never happen. I like it the way it is, I think it's part of what makes the OR experience unique. BTW, we aren't the only school like that. Clinton for one off the top of my head is another. You really think they would move the stadium away from the Big Ed's experience? Ha!

[SweetScience]

And I am not to keen on getting the turf either. I like our natural grass playing surface and always have. We have a great drainage system, so that has never been a problem. Some of my greatest memories as a child @ Blankenship were standing on the stairs patting our guys on the shoulder pads and smelling the scent of grass mixed with sweat as they passed by. May sound weird to a lot of people, but that smell will forever be ingrained into my senses haha

Edited August 7, 2017 by SweetScience

[atrisk]

Can't  say if it would be more convenient to have Blankenship at the school or not. As it is now is the only way I  know. Probably a political decision way back when.

[SweetScience]

2 minutes ago, atrisk said:

Can't  say if it would be more convenient to have Blankenship at the school or not. As it is now is the only way I  know. Probably a political decision way back when.

It's what? A whole 5-7 minute drive from the High School? Not a big deal.

[atrisk]

Story. I think it was at last year's Farragut JV game a couple of guys from Farragut came over to our side because of 5he sun thing. Nice fellows. One ask me how long had we been using artificial turf. Now there's a complement to the grounds crew.

[SweetScience]

6 minutes ago, atrisk said:

Story. I think it was at last year's Farragut JV game a couple of guys from Farragut came over to our side because of 5he sun thing. Nice fellows. One ask me how long had we been using artificial turf. Now there's a complement to the grounds crew.

Our field always looks awesome until mid fall of course. Early on in the season though you don't get much better with a natural field. They do a great job, for sure.

Edited August 7, 2017 by SweetScience

[bounder]

Our sorry school board won't even pay to paint the buildings at "The Ship" why would you expect them to fork over a few million to build a new stadium at the school?

[WilleTheWildcat]

Blankenship is where the good Lord put it and ain't nobody going to move it.

Last year on Gaddis' Coaches show, David Clary asked the players what was needed to make the Ship better? If my memory is correct, a Jumbo Tron was mentioned the most and artificial turf second. Some players even expressed that there was no need to switch to arti turf..  I cannot remember what Jordan Graham said but I think he didn't mention the turf issue at all.

My list to improve Blankenship:

Home side seating

Press box and locker rooms

All bathrooms

Big Ed's Pizza in all concession stands

Jumbotron

new fence around field

New track around field

Artificial turf

****** I believe the turf is coming this winter.

[osunut2]

11 hours ago, SweetScience said:

It's what? A whole 5-7 minute drive from the High School? Not a big deal.

As an outsider, I don't have a problem with the stadium being away from the high school, as long as there is ample parking. The parking situation is absolutely terrible though (same problem at Clinton). I don't know if it would ever be possible, but I would convert the track/practice field at the high school into a full-blown stadium. It might actually be cheaper to do that versus making all of the proposed upgrades at Blankenship. Plus, the parking situation is much better, IMO.