COURTLAND
Dr. Alvera J. Parrish, superintendent of Southampton County Public Schools, announced at Monday evening’s school board meeting a partnership with the National Football League and the Cover 3 Foundation to fund several upgrades to the football stadium and the addition of new athletic facilities. This association will bring short- and long-term improvements, including the installation of two brand new LED scoreboards, a new playing surface, seating upgrades and an outdoor fieldhouse.

“This multi-year partnership will bring needed upgrades to the high school sports complex,” Parrish said. “This is a long-range vision for this board … to better upgrade the facilities that we have so that [the students] can have equitable opportunities to others around us.”

“We’re just really excited about this partnership. It’s been a wonderful experience,” she continued. “It’s my first time ever working with the NFL. They’ve got lots of money.”

Anonymous individual donations and a grant from the NFL cover the $23,000 cost of the new scoreboards, one of which will be placed on the team’s practice field. The installation should be complete by the time the season kicks off on Aug. 28 against Poquoson.

“Down the road, this is something that will be here for all the students, and this is something that would be super to have,” Parrish said. “ All future projects will be funded through grant money, and that includes future field upgrades, stands and concessions.”

Parrish admitted that the outdoor fieldhouse requires a bit of long-range vision, but is hopeful that it will pay dividends for the athletics program and the community.

“Our focus is how can we help not just the school system, but the whole community; how they can benefit from it,” she said. “It’s going to be really a wonderful addition. Think of your rubberized track and your big new scoreboard out there on the field for the students as they come back in the fall.”