7/31/2012 - Turf Field Great For Newton
Like most people, Kurt Weaver has trouble falling asleep now and then.
So when the Newton AD was tossing and turning one night recently, he came up with a pretty darn good idea.
Let’s put on an all-day sports event at the high school featuring all four fall varsity sports teams that use fields on one day at the high school.
Well, normally that scenario would be a nightmare logistically for Weaver, but with the anticipated finish of the installation of artificial turf, lights and a scoreboard at Palmer Field within the next two weeks, Weaver’s vision will become a reality.
After years of planning and fund-raising Palmer Field’s $1.2 million makeover should be finished as the Braves join the ranks of Pope John and Vernon as schools with turf and High Point, Hopatcong, Lenape Valley, Jefferson, and Vernon as schools with lights.
Weaver is planning on having the all-day event the second week of the season with girls soccer, boys soccer, field hockey and football all playing on the same day, same site to kick of the new era of Newton athletics.
The project is slated for three phases with Phase 1 being the turf and lights. Phase 2 is the construction of three tennis courts, new outdoor basketball court, a small parking area, and a modification of the existing parking areas where the basketball court is now at the high school.
Phase 3 is the addition of auxiliary turf fields for sub-varsity games on a multi-purpose field lined for soccer, field hockey, lacrosse and football or the same field plus additional space lined for baseball and softball.
There is no timetable for the next two phases, according to G. Kennedy Greene, Superintendent of Schools for Newton.
What an exciting time for Newton athletics and it has been a long time coming.
As the oldest high school in the county, Newton certainly has a rich and storied history in and out of the classroom, but its on-site facilities, or more importantly, its lack thereof has been an issue for years.
Every day after the final bell has rung for school, Newton athletes have to board a bus not just for away games, but for practices at the Abbey in Andover, Memory Park and the Merriam Avenue School.
This has long been the bane of every AD at Newton, including Weaver.
Although the trip isn’t very long it still requires a bus, gas and supervision. These are things most ADS do not have to deal with.
I have heard horror stories from former ADs about the situation and their hands were tied. School officials have always been very appreciative of the town and the owners of the Abbey for the use of their land, but now they will have more say and control with the upgrade of the facilities.
In fact, Newton will still need the use of those fields for practice and sub-varsity games.
I always used to tease Pat Brennan, the outstanding boys soccer coach at Newton, about the Abbey Field. Brennan would always smile and say they know every bump, nook and cranny of the field so it was an advantage.
We would joke that the Abbey was like an ugly dog you own. You can make fun of it, but nobody else can. And despite its rough exterior, the Abbey has been very kind to the Newton boys soccer team over the years.
Just think about watching Andy Weber and Brett Conrads this fall maneuvering up and down a turf field with the type of skill and speed they possess? Not a pleasing proposition for Newton’s opponents, I’ll tell, ya.
Then there is Newton field hockey, one of the top programs not only in Sussex County but in North Jersey. Lisa Bechtel has done a marvelous job with the Braves with well over 300 wins and numerous league titles.
And the Braves have accomplished all that playing on one of the roughest fields in the county. No slight to Merriam Avenue, but you can sprain ankle just walking on it, so just imagine trying to dribble a field hockey ball with one side of the stick.
In fact, after last fall’s terrible weather, the team had to play on the high school football field because Merriam was unusable which put further stress on the grass at Palmer Field.
It is a credit to Bechtel and all the great players she has coached that they have accomplished all that they have. Again, can you imagine Alexis Johnson and Heather Connelly having the chance to play on turf? Wow, that would have been the price of admission.
Let’s not forget the girls soccer program under the dean of girls soccer coaches in the county Jake Mull. The young Braves will also benefit greatly as sophomore Alyssa Cronin, a D-I prospect already, will lead the Braves.
Come spring, the up-and-coming boys lacrosse squad led by coach Brian Bennington will reap the benefits of playing on turf and it will only bolster the program.
Weaver said that the new field will benefit not only the school, but the entire Newton community. He wants everyone in Newton to enjoy the fields and he has already reached out to all the youth programs.
This renovation is a win-win for everyone in Newton and I couldn’t be happier. Newton is a tough blue-collar town, but that doesn’t mean the Braves have to play on inferior fields.
So congratulations to all who were involved in this project, they should be very proud.
Hopefully the people in Sparta take notice and finally get the turf fields that school needs so desperately.
That’s it for now, see you on the sidelines.
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