New sports facilities revitalize athletics

NEW FACILITIES REVITALIZE HIGHLANDER SPORTS

New football field, basketball court and the return of tennis courts ignite new year for McLean athletics TIPPING OFF — The new basketball

SCOTT SHIELDS SPORTS EDITOR | TANNER COERR COPY EDITOR

After years of dutiful service to McLean athletes, many of the athletic facilities on campus were renovated and restored over the summer in preparation for the fall athletic season.

Indoors, the lower gym was refurbished by way of a new hardwood court bursting with McLean’s red and silver color scheme. McLean’s volleyball squads were the first to reap the benefits, going undefeated when playing on the revamped court.

On top of that, the tennis program was overjoyed to learn they would no longer have to travel to Jefferson District Park to practice, as the trailers which occupied the tennis courts during the spring of 2021 were removed in favor of nets and tennis ball racks. The most notable change, however, was the football field, which was given a fresh look as new turf was put in.

“Every [FCPS] school that has a turf field is on a schedule for about every 10 years to get new turf,” Director of Student Activities Greg Miller said. “And a lot of that is just due to safety. The more that the turf gets played on, [the more] it gets matted down, and it becomes harder and harder as those pellets start to leave.”

BOUNCING BACK — The tennis courts have returned to action after the removal of the trailers. This will be the tennis team’s first season on the courts in two years.

The design of the new field stayed true to the design which preceded it, with some slight changes.

“I liked the alternating kinds of greens every five yard lines—we’re really the only FCPS school who has that, so I didn’t want to make a lot of changes,” Miller said. “[But] we did change [some things]. Before, the end zones were just green with red lettering, [so] we changed those to just the red end zones. We also added a coaching box that is red just to make the field pop a little more.”

The field has been well received by student athletes who have practiced and played games on the new turf during the fall season.

“The old field was nice, but [the new field] was a much-needed upgrade,” senior wide receiver Nicholas Halteh said.

The basketball court had wear and tear issues similar to those which plagued the football field, leading to renovations that changed the design of the court much more than the design of the football field.

“I wanted a red that was more of our school’s color,” Miller said. “And then the ‘Highlanders’ written in cursive was changed to bold.”

Many student athletes shared Miller’s sentiments, agreeing that the design changes were needed.

“I also feel the colors represent our school a lot better, since before our court was painted in a maroon red rather than a bright red like it is now,” said junior Jessica Lin, defensive specialist for the varsity volleyball team.

In the 2020-21 school year, the tennis courts became an extension of classrooms in the school, as several trailers were added within the fenced off area. The additions came with a cost.

“When they told us that the trailers were going on the tennis courts, we were told that it was going to basically ruin our tennis court arrived just in time for volleyball season. The basketball team will get to test the new hardwood in a couple weeks.

THE WHOLE NINE YARDS — The new football field captures the

Highlander spirit. The alternating greens every five yards are a feature unique to McLean. courts,” Miller said, “so I [requested] that when they took [the trailers] off, they would redo the tennis courts.”

The gym floor and the tennis courts were paid for by the county, whereas the football field was funded through a combination of FCPS support and McLean’s athletic boosters.

“The boosters would put up $15,000 a year to help pay for when we needed to get new turf,” Miller said. “New turf costs about $500,000, if not more, and over nine to 10 years [the boosters club contributed] around $150,000, and Fairfax County paid for the difference.”

While the basketball court and football field were the first facilities to be redone, they will likely not be the last to experience restorations in the coming years. The baseball and softball fields received new grass for their fields, and it is likely that future renovations are in the works.

“The new facilities will make the spring season even more exciting,” said junior Maisie McGowan, a varsity tennis player. “They will definitely add to the brand new feel of sports at McLean.”