Wednesday, September 15, 1999
Athletic group could solve facilities problem
BY ANDREA TORTORA
The Cincinnati Enquirer
COVINGTON — The Holy Cross High football team will play its only home game this October at Holmes High's Ellis Stadium. It will be the first home game for the 2-year-old football program, yet the Indians won't be playing on their own field. They don't have one.
For three high schools in Covington, decent athletic facilities are hard to come by and money to renovate existing tracks and fields does not exist. So educators and coaches at the high schools are teaming up with city officials to generate funds, improve facilities and maybe teach students a bit about cooperation.
They are banking their hopes on an athletic commission: A nonprofit group that could raise money, maintain fields and build new facilities for use by the city, Covington Public Schools and the Diocese of Covington.
“You can see that Holmes doesn't have all it needs, where it needs it and in the condition it
wants. Holy Cross and Covington Latin have even less,” said Joe Meyer, Covington city commissioner. “Obviously they compete on different levels, but when the kids run track, they need the same-sized field.”
Numerous Tristate schools share facilities. Newport Catholic plays football games at Newport High. Purcell Marian plays home games on Norwood High's fields. What's being talked about in Covington could take it a step further — cooperation between a city and public and private schools.
Track and cross-country team members at Holy Cross practice in the streets. Covington Latin's team uses a parking lot. Elementary soccer fields are used for practices and games.
All three schools and community teams share city and Fraternal Order of Police Association fields for soccer, baseball and girls softball teams. There is no designated cross-country route and there are not enough tennis courts.
If the plan is successful, Holmes' Ellis Stadium would become the official home for Holmes, Covington Latin and Holy Cross. It would get new artificial turf to help withstand use by dozens of teams in each season.
Until then, the schools borrow the field and students are learning to share. But playing home games on someone else's field can be discouraging.
Holy Cross football players Scott Svoboda and Tony Stoeckle said they would rather carry the ball into an end zone where the letters spell “Holy Cross” and not “Holmes.”
Others at Holy Cross say they are glad to have a place where fans can cheer on the team. Holmes students say they are happy to share what they have with other students.
“It might be good for us to get a better understanding of their school,” said Nicole Harrington, a sophomore who plays clarinet in the Holmes marching band.
Ron Madrick, Covington Schools athletic director, offered Ellis Stadium to Holy Cross this year.
“We felt it was in the best interest of our community to provide our facilities to them,” Mr. Madrick said.
What has happened since is brainstorming on how to improve and how to create new facilities.
Holy Cross football Coach John Wysong said having use of a stadium — rather than playing away games every week — gives a positive boost to the football program.
“They really make it feel like our place,” Coach Wysong said. “The kids love it, it's close for fans and it's a nice complex to play in.”
Holmes has the only track in the area, and it is in obvious need of repair. Large splotches of red illustrate where black rubber coating has worn away.
“The things we need to do are probably prohibitive for any one group,” said James Kemp, Covington Schools superintendent.
Schools can invest only in property they own or have a controlling interest in. The same goes for the city.
A nonprofit athletic commission, officials say, could solve that problem and skirt arguments over separation of church and state.
Greg Jarvis, Covington city manager, said he hopes the alumni associations at each high school and the business community “will step up to the plate. Maybe we could be very successful.”
The group must now finalize a list of priorities and start the incorporation process. Mr. Jarvis said more concrete plans should be in place by the end of November.
Until then, Holy Cross is gearing up for its first home game against Dayton High. Cheerleaders and students who keep stats for the team said being at the stadium gives game day a different atmosphere.
“A lot more people are able to come now,” junior Erin Mulroney said. “And they get more excited.”
WISH LIST
Covington school and city officials identified these needs for high school athletics:
• Install artificial turf at Holmes' Ellis Stadium so it can be the principal facility for football and soccer for all three schools.
• Provide two quality baseball fields with grass infields.
• Provide soccer practice facilities for boys' and girls' teams at each school.
• Provide a softball field for girls' fast and slow pitch.
• Designate cross-country routes through Devou Park and the city.
• Use Holmes for track practice. Build an upgraded facility for meets.
• Continue to use the Boys & Girls Club for swimming teams.
• Upgrade soccer facilities at Covington Public elementary schools.
• Add two courts at Holmes; give students priority at Devou Park tennis courts.
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