A Bold Refresh: Nease’s Brand New Track and Field Receives Positive Feedback

By Bella Hayes

After months of waiting, Nease football finally has a new place to call home. Over the summer, the Nease football field underwent a major transformation, bringing a new turf and track to campus. The upgrades have completely changed the look and feel of the field, giving athletes a more updated and reliable space to practice and compete. Head football coach, Collin Drafts said, “One of the best things about it is that we get to practice in the stadium every day now. That gives us a true home field advantage now that we are practicing in the exact setting we play in on Friday nights.”

The new turf is one of the biggest changes to the Panther Stadium. Unlike the previous playing surface, which was natural, the turf provides a more consistent field for players which can handle much more use throughout the season. For the football team, these changes create a field that can better withstand practices, games, and Florida’s unpredictable weather. For staff members, the new field removes the need for heavy maintenance. And for Nease students, the changes to the stadium kickstart an all-star program that Panthers can take pride in. Senior football player, Chase Bogle, states, “The new turf makes the field look a lot nicer and gives us a better surface to play on. The whole environment feels newer, and it’s exciting to have a new field that our team can be proud of.”

The track surrounding the field was also replaced as part of the project. The new track gives Nease track and field athletes an updated surface to train and compete on while also completing the new look of the stadium.

While the improvements are exciting, they came with one major downside: Nease was unable to host a home football game until September. Because construction continued through the beginning of the season, and the school placed limitations on track use, the Panthers had to start the year playing their games away from home. Additionally, the Panther Regiment, Nease’s marching band, had to give up the opportunity to host the annual district-wide Music Performance Assessment.
The lengthy wait made the return to the Panther Stadium even more exciting. Senior football player, Jayden Haynes, tells us, “It was hard having to wait because we were all excited to play on our new field, but the wait made our first home game even more special.” After spending the beginning of the season on the road, finally getting to play under the lights on the new turf gave the team and student section something to look forward to. Coach Drafts said, “I truly believe Nease has always had the best overall atmosphere for football games in all Northeast Florida. Now that we have the beautiful turf field as an upgrade it makes it even better.”