Dedication Game is August 21
by B.B. Branton
posted July 3, 2009
Baylor School's Heywood Stadium is getting a state-of-art face lift this summer with the finished product being the crown jewel of the school's already impressive athletic facilities.
Baylor's newest athletic site – completion date of mid-August – is the all-weather AstroTurf Red Etter field for football and lacrosse and a 7-lane all-weather Rekortan track.
Bulldozers and graders are moving dirt and gravel by the ton, while project managers from three companies along with school officials work in concert, overseeing the fast-moving plans.
"The school's latest project has been driven by the necessity of football and lacrosse using the same field," said Don Curtis, Baylor School project manager for all new construction.
"It's all about field utilization as this AstroTurf cool grass technology allows football and lacrosse to be played on the same surface without a strain on the facility," stated Curtis. "The wear and tear placed on a natural grass surface is not conducive for almost year round use (fall football, spring lacrosse, late summer football)."
The new Red Etter Field at Heywood Stadium (encircled by the new track) – to be dedicated at Baylor's opening football game with Franklin Road Academy seven weeks from tonight (Friday August 21) – has a completion date of August 9 and the track is to be finished the following week.
A hall of fame coach, Etter led the Baylor football program for 14 years and guided the Red Raiders to the national high school championship in 1973.
"The artificial turf and track project is yet another example of Baylor's commitment to excellence," said Baylor athletics director Thad Lepcio.
"In return, Baylor demands excellence from its students," Lepcio stated. "To achieve this excellence, we provide the highest quality teaching, coaching and facilities."
The most recent example of Baylor athletic excellence is the girl's track state championship won in May at the BlueCross Spring Fling in Murfreesboro.
"I was very proud of my kids in the way they responded when I told them that beginning in May we would have to find another place to practice (due to construction) until the state meet (May 21,22)," said 19 year Baylor track and field head coach Bill McMahan.
"They didn't complain or whine about having to get in cars each day and go to GPS and wait until 4:30 p.m. to begin practice," state McMahan who has led the Baylor to six state track and field championships; four in girl's and two in boy's. "Good friend, Jeff Gaither (GPS track coach), and Stacy Hill (GPS athletics director) graciously offered their facility to us those last three weeks of the season."
McMahan believes in the old adage of "built it and they will come."
"I think the new facility will help get more kids out for football, lacrosse and track. Anytime you build something new, there is excitement in the air," he stated.
"There is no question that Baylor's athletic facilities are second to none not only in Chattanooga, but probably the entire Southeast," said Lepcio.
The Major Players:
Competition Athletic Surfaces
Competition Athletic Surfaces is the general contractor for both the field and the track and is responsible for all prep work for the both facilities.
"Myself along with Steve Clift and others at Competition Athletic Surfaces are excited to be part of this great project and know that upon completion, the field and track at Heywood Stadium will make for an impressive athletic facility," said Lee Murray.
AstroTurf, Inc. in Dalton
The highlight of Baylor's AstroTurf field is the "Cool Grass" technology.
Upon completion, Red Etter Field at Heywood Stadium will be one of only three fields in the country using this innovative product.
"Cool grass technology is put into the fiber to reduce the temperature of the surface," said Andy Belles, product manager at AstroTurf. "I believe the players and coaches will be excited about the new field and the high quality of the product."
Rekortan
Producers of the all-weather, sandwich system track
Quick Facts:
Red Etter Field at Heywood Stadium
Completion date: August 9.
Dedication Game is August 21: Baylor vs. Franklin Road Academy
Surface: AstroTurf with "Cool Grass" technology.
Astroturf Fiber: Polyethylene and Nylon blend
The Baylor block B will be in the in the center of the field.
Track: 7-lane Rekortan all-weather, sandwich system
Color: Black
Drainage system on inside of track
Completion Date: Approximately August 16
General Contractor
Competition Athletic Surfaces in Chattanooga
Funding
The field and track project is being funded with private donations.
Heywood Stadium
Built: 1971
Named for long time Baylor football coach, Humpy Heywood.
The Baylor Track
The original track was completely refurbished in the mid-1990s. The track was re-surfaced about six years ago.
Contact B.B.Branton at william.branton@comcast.net
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