3 minute read
New SC Stadium
Sierra Canyon Fires Up its New Stadium Engine
by Robin Park
Beginning this year, various Sierra Canyon athletics teams including football, soccer, and lacrosse will start playing their home games at the newly developed stadium. The sleek and modern 1,600 seat facility will be the hub of a larger development that includes a complete renovation and expansion of the existing field restrooms and locker rooms.
According to Mr. Shapiro, the Chief Financial Officer, construction of the new stadium is a difficult project, as the installation of the new bleachers requires the workers to dig deep into the hillside to anchor the entire structure. The addition of a brandnew stadium will not only bring Sierra Canyon athletics further into the media spotlight, but will also serve as the renaissance of school spirit that Sierra Canyon has long been waiting for; an updated home field will help set in motion a new culture of high school sports in the Los Angeles region, specifically for our football team.
Since the inception of Sierra Canyon, the Sierra Canyon football team has been unable to play a football game at their home field and was forced to use local stadiums and college campuses, such as Pierce College and Granada Hills Charter High School. Despite the school-wide excitement surrounding the football team, the impact of the football fans can be less evident when they are required to travel far to attend football games. Although the Athletic Department has implemented various measures to encourage more SC students to attend away games, such as renting a bus to transport students to and from the fields, there is no denying the fact that more student presence is warranted at games.
High school football thrives on vibrant and upbeat atmospheres on gamedays, but the time and dedication that is required to travel to away football games have deterred many Sierra Canyon students and families from attending Sierra Canyon football games in the past. “Traveling all that time to go to a football game that can take place hours away from school is simply too much to ask from busy high school students who are overwhelmed with both school, work, and other activities,” said Ethan Cho (‘22). “I will definitely
go to more football games if we have home games on our own field. That would honestly be amazing” said Wesley Ishida (‘23). The new stadium will reinvigorate school spirit on campus, and specifically, excitement for the football, lacrosse, and soccer teams who use the field. This enthusiasm will bring both increased competition and funding from ticket sales. These funds help contribute to endeavors far from the athletic This is expansion is honestly fields, including many of Sierra so amazing! I can’t wait to go Canyon’s campus improvement projects, extracurricular activities, to home games at the new and academic programs. stadium! The school has made the Cameron Leary (‘22) right decision in developing its home field to improve student and athlete experiences; the investment will immediately be seen on the field, along with an improved relationship between students and the Sierra Canyon athletic teams; the new stadium will greatly benefit the Sierra Canyon community, but its success will be seen most in how it benefits students and athletes moving forward.
