As winter starts to wrap up and spring approaches, the new stadium for Kenwood High School is set to open. With the arrival of spring sports, more people will be outdoors, and people are looking forward to enjoying the new stadium. A lot of changes have been made that will benefit not only the players but also for the local community. One significant change is the replacement of natural grass with turf on the field. Turf offers several advantages, particularly in terms of player performance and resilience to various weather conditions. The funding for this stadium renovation project was generously provided by BCPS.
Beyond the realm of athletics, the new stadium offers benefits for the broader community. Coach Rucco highlights its potential impact on the neighborhood youth, stating, ““The field turf surface is a much safer, productive and enjoyable surface for our student-athletes to perform on. It looks great, and is what most all NCAA collegiate athletes compete upon. It’s a state of the art design and its weather proof. We no longer have to worry about the grass surface getting muddy and unplayable.”
After nearly four months of construction, the stadium was finished on November 15th, just in time for spring sports teams to become the first ever to play outside on the new field. We all are looking forward spending time at the new stadium, cheering on our amazing Kenwood teams as they work hard.
As anticipation mounts for the upcoming spring sports season, there are a few things to look out for. Coaches and athletes are gearing up for challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Spring tryouts starting on March 1st, mark the beginning of a journey for both returning and aspiring athletes. The spring sports lineup includes Softball, Baseball, Lacrosse, Track & Field, Cheerleading, Tennis, and Allied Softball. These tryouts necessitate fulfilling various requirements, including obtaining a sports physical, maintaining a minimum GPA of 2.0, and mentally preparing for the season ahead.
With the mix of returning and new athletes, that means a new season with more excitement. Coaches, especially Coach Jay, the JV softball coach, are brimming with excitement for the upcoming year. Coach Jay expresses his optimism, stating, “I feel good about the upcoming season and am excited for it. I have a lot of returning talent as well as incoming talent, which should bring two good teams.” With that, we can expect a good year for the upcoming JV softball season.
Additionally, Coach Jay explains the importance of joining sports, highlighting the numerous benefits, “I believe joining a sport has quite a few benefits. It helps develop social skills such as making friends, learning how to work together with peers in challenging yet positive situations. It keeps you active if you are not big on exercise, but most importantly, it teaches time management and why it is important to manage your time effectively.”
Coach Jay’s excitement is matched by Mr. Neilson, the boys’ varsity lacrosse coach, who shares, “I feel that this upcoming lacrosse season will be exciting and competitive. There is a core of guys that have been in the program for 3-4 years now, and competing at the varsity level. They are a hardworking and determined group of young men who put in work every off season to be ready for the following season. I am excited and hopeful that we will have a successful season!”
Mr. Neilson strongly advocates for student participation in sports, emphasizing the numerous benefits they offer. “I think students should play sports because it helps build character and teamwork skills,” he asserts. “Sports are a wonderful way to challenge your mind and body. I think students should play lacrosse because it is a sport that tests all abilities, including your mind, body, and toughness. It is fun and skillful which makes it one of the most athletic sports in the world! Some of the best athletes in the world say lacrosse is one of the roughest sports they have ever played. Others say lacrosse encompass all athletic abilities, such as speed, strength, power, agility, and hand-eye coordination.”
As we learn more about the enthusiasm these coaches hold for the upcoming year, Mr. Avampato, the boys’ varsity baseball coach, shares his anticipation for the approaching season. He notes, “We have some talented players who have matured and improved since the last season. We always look forward to seeing what new talent might join the team. Baseball is a great game because it takes a combination of athletic ability and intelligence. You do not always have to be the best athlete if you really understand the game and have good situational awareness.” Additionally, Coach Avampato underscores the value of sports participation, stating, “Sports in general are great ways for students to stay active and in good physical shape but to also build bonds with their fellow teammates and learn important skills about how to work with other people from all diverse backgrounds. Which is a great skill for everyone to have as they enter the workforce over the next several years.”
As coaches share their enthusiasm for the season, Derek Jeter’s perspective resonates: “You’re playing a game, whether it’s Little League or Game 7 of the World Series. It’s impossible to do well unless you’re having a good time. People talk about pressure. Yeah, there’s pressure. But I just look at it as fun.”
