THIS IS Our house.

A long awaited new complex now houses Central athletics

by Evie Nowicki staff writer

The Trojan Athletic Complex (TAC) is a beautiful addition to the Traverse City community. Back in 2020, our school was fortunate enough to get permission from the city to create a space for Central athletes to excel and show their ability at another level. The TAC holds three sports including baseball, softball, and soccer. The design was a lengthy process where they tried to make the complex look professional and Trojan-like. “Coaches are the experts in the field and give lists with priorities. We worked to get as much as we could for each program,” states Lead Principal Jessie Houghton.

The need for the new complex came about because a lot of the fields were outdated. “Our soccer fields hadn’t been touched since I was in school here,” Athletic Director Justin Thorington implies. “The need for the complex was just based on congestion and the need to house more teams.” Now at the new complex, the fields accommodate both varsity and junior varsity athletes.

The TAC has a lot to offer compared to the previous fields. Players at Central are very pride- ful about the clean and modern new place. “Our locker room and the heated dugouts are awesome, plus the locker room right behind the dugout is the best,’’ mentions Daisie Brewer ‘24, a Central Varsity Softball player. When some games finish, players can easily walk over and watch their friends play in other matches happening at the complex. Plus, there is a full running concession stand with many kinds of drinks, pizza, and candy to meet all of the community’s demands. One of the most positive changes is the inclusion of a dedicated training room for our wonderful athletic trainer Amy Ream, where many athletes come to treat their bodies before, after, or even during a game. “Oh, it’s awesome, I love that room. That’s where Amy gives me tape,” says Quinn Noyes ‘24, a Central Varsity Soccer player. The convenience of this room is especially beneficial for the athletes. “We don’t have to go anywhere and it’s right there,” says Brewer.

Throughout the TAC, a lot of the community comes out to watch these high school sporting events. Since there are three sports often going on at once, this place does get very full. But the complex isn’t just for student use. “I know a lot of community users like to use it, because it is located right off of the Tart Trail, so that is really nice as well [because] they can just bike right up to it too,” Thorington remarks.

Trojan athletes at Central have made quite a lot of memories at the TAC in its inaugural years. “We won Districts there, so that was truly amazing,” Brewer adds. This place has given students many opportunities to showcase their skills, but also sharing some sentimental moments with the ones they love the most. “Playing on that field with [my older brother] Everest is definitely a really good memory,” mentions Noyes.

Since the TAC is so new, there are still a few kinks to work out as time goes on. “From a baseball and softball perspective, sometimes you get foul balls just flying into the spectators,” mentions Thorington. “So we’re looking into getting netting that can drape the whole thing so when foul balls go out, we don’t have to worry.” From a public perspective, Thorington shares that the layout of the TAC can be problematic for mobility. “When you have games going on in the far JV fields, the bathrooms are a little bit farther away than you like. If you’re in a wheelchair or not very mobile, it makes it tougher,” Thorington admits.

I have a personal connection to the complex because I play softball. With only playing one year at the new fields, I feel that my love for the game has improved. Winning Districts on these fields meant the world to all of us players, especially to be on our brand new battlefield that we call home. Many of the perks and benefits of the TAC include the heated dugouts, athletic trainers room, and concession stands that are the building blocks of the great facility. All sports are well deserving of these fields because of their grit and poise to represent the Trojans athletically.

For the future, the TAC will continue to thrive by housing teams, providing a spot for athletes to make memories, and a home for the Traverse City community to watch high school sports. With that being said, the athletes want to see more support from their fellow peers. “I wish we had a student section so bad, that would just be so cool,” Brewer laments. //

DANIEL SCHMIDT STAFF WRITER