Celebrating the donation of a new scoreboard at Bradley Central High School's McKenzie Baseball Complex, as well as honoring Bear legend Coach Joe Adams by naming the field for him are, from left, Bradley head coach Travis Adams, President of the Bradley Cleveland Public Education Foundation Lynn Volz, Critical Power Solutions President Chris Cassada, Bradley County Director of School Linda Cash and BCHS principal Patrick Spangler.
photo by Joe Cannon
CLEVELAND, Tenn. — Continuing recent trend another local high school athletic field has upgraded with a new scoreboard.
After adding a new softball scoreboard at Bob McKenzie Field at the beginning of the spring season, Bradley Central now has a brand new baseball scoreboard, along with naming the diamond in honor of the legendary Bear head coach Joe Adams.
Like many others, "Joe Adams Field" at the McKenzie Baseball Complex had been in need of a new scoreboard for several years and thanks to a generous donation it has one.
A post on social media Wednesday announced, "Bradley County Schools is delighted to announce that Bradley Central High School Baseball has received a generous donation from Critical Power Solutions for the purchase of a new scoreboard.
"This significant contribution was made possible through the efforts of Chris Cassada, President of Critical Power Solutions, who identified the need and took action to support the school's baseball program.
"This heartfelt contribution comes with the honor of naming the field 'Joe Adams Field,' in tribute to the legendary Bradley Baseball Coach Joe Adams," it continued.
"Bradley County Schools extends its heartfelt appreciation to Chris Cassada and Critical Power Solutions for their generosity and commitment to improving our school facilities.
"This donation is a testament to the strong community spirit and support of Bradley Central High School," related the announcement.
Cassada shared his deep connection to the school and his motivation for the donation: "I've known Travis Adams and his family for a long time. I attended Bradley Central, and many of the coaches, like Coach (Keith) Freeman, played a part in shaping who I am today.
"For me, it's about the relationships and the connection I have with the school, what they did for me, and what they've done for my kids.
"Bradley was a big influence in my life and continues to be for my children. It was a need that had to be addressed, and we wanted to give back to those who have poured into us," he added.
"We also wanted to honor Coach Joe Adams by renaming the field 'Joe Adams Field,' which we believe is a fitting tribute to his legacy."
Cassada's family has deep-rooted connections to Bradley Central High School.
His son, Teigan, was a standout senior on the 2023-2024 baseball team, which advanced to the TSSAA Cass 4A State Championships.
His son Raleigh will continue the family legacy as rising sophomore on the team while his youngest son, Zander, eagerly anticipates his future as a Bear.
Coach Travis Adams, expressed his gratitude, stating, "We are incredibly thankful for the generous donation from Critical Power Solutions. This new scoreboard is something our players can be proud of, and having my dad's name on the field is a touching tribute.
"He was a pivotal figure in Bradley Baseball from 1976 to 2001, and this dedication keeps his memory and influence alive."
Lynn Voelz, President of the Bradley Cleveland Public Education Foundation, emphasized the community's generosity: "It's so gratifying to work with community donors. "We have an incredibly generous community, who, when they see the need, want to meet the need. They invest in the community in a variety of ways, but here, they're investing in youth.
"This speaks volumes to today's youth, encouraging them to give back as they grow. The commitment shown by Critical Power Solutions is remarkable, and we are profoundly grateful,” she assessed.
Bradley principal Patrick Spangler, also expressed his heartfelt thanks: "We are deeply grateful for the generosity of Critical Power Solutions.
"This new scoreboard not only enhances our baseball facilities but also serves as a lasting tribute to Coach Joe Adams. It is an incredible addition to our school, reflecting the spirit of community and dedication that defines Bradley Central. Thank you to everyone involved for making this possible."
The upgrade also drew the attention of an opposing coach.
"Saw Bradley's new one (scoreboard) a little over a week ago," related Walker Valley head wrangler Wes Anderson. "Travis (Adams) keeps his field nice, but it's amazing how much better the scoreboard makes the whole facility. It look phenomenal."
The upgrading of local scoreboards trend started with the three local high school football stadiums — Bear Stadium and the McKenzie Athletic Complex at Walker Valley in 2017, plus Benny Monroe Stadium in 2021 — upgrading their scoreboards with video boards a few years ago.
A trio of new scoreboards for other sports were also recently installed at Walker Valley as well as one at Cleveland High.
On the north end of the county, "Mike Turner Field (2022)" and "Larry Haney Field (2019)," as well as the Mustang soccer pitch, have added new scoreboards, while Raider Field at "Bill Talley Stadium" upgraded its scoreboard in 2021.
The current scoreboard at CHS softball's "Brenda Lawson Field" was donated by the local businesswoman in 2013.
(Contact Joe Cannon at joe.cannon@clevelandbanner.com)