The Memorial Stadium, what used to be the high school’s strong-standing press box, is now Horace Good’s construction site. The biggest reasons the north box lacked use was on account of the middle school moving into its facility and the south press box being of easier access. Due to these factors, it was torn down over the summer. Now it awaits a new box to take its place. While a press box seems like a basic necessity to a playing field, they can actually hold much more meaning. This Memorial Stadium was used by many, including coaches, administrators, commentators and athletes. As for the impact the stadium had on the community, it varies among users. Diana Olivas-Reyes, Health junior, recalls fond memories being up in the box.
“I used to go sit in there with Ms Dubois, the commentator, and talk to her during the football game’s halftime,” Olivas-Reyes said.
The conversations that took place in the box weren’t just about sports.
“I would go up there to talk to her about school, the student section and cheer. I’d really just bond with her,” Olivas-Reyes said.
Moments like these make saying goodbye to the box a sentimental time.
“It makes me kind of sad knowing it’s not there because that’s where they controlled the music and it added to the experience of a football game,” Olivas-Reyes said.
Other students remember times in the press box too. Abigail Colbary, Public Service junior, has her own stories.
“After I cheered for the games, I would go up there and say hi to the people up there. I would even say hi to Mr. Lee when he was up there too,” Colbary said.
As for administration’s use of the press box and its impact on them, Jarod Spencer, JAG sponsor, knows the importance of a well-established one. Spencer, having run the scoreboard in the past is familiar with Horace Good’s space.
“I think it being torn down was very necessary. There was a ladder that you had to climb to get from the stands to the platform, which made it difficult to access it easily,” Spencer said.
To mitigate the issues, Spencer has ideas to improve the overall quality of a stadium press box.
“Air conditioning and heating, plenty of room for people to move back and forth, windows with less dividers to be able to see the activities. Even our current box here at the high school has a divider that you have to look around, one with no dividers is ideal. A bathroom would be nice, adequate lighting would be good,” Spencer said.
When building a press box for a school playing field, there is more that goes into it than one would think. As for Horace Good’s new box, it will be in the world for the foreseeable future.
