NNPS celebrates newly-resurfaced Todd Stadium with ribbon cutting
Posted: April 11, 2024
Newport News Public Schools celebrated its new artificial turf surface at John B. Todd Stadium with a ribbon cutting ceremony on April 11.
The surface was installed this spring and will be available for school sports events and for outside groups to use. The field is painted in NNPS colors of blue, yellow and white with an NN logo at midfield and Todd in one endzone, Stadium in the other.
School Board Chairman Lisa Surles-Law, Vice Chairman Dr. Terri Best and Board member Douglas Brown, as well as Superintendent Dr. Michele Mitchell, school division staff and community members were in attendance.
"The field itself with its new artificial surface is competitive with any field not only in our regional area, but across the state," said Director of Student Athletics Lee Martin.
Attendees were able to walk on the field, take photos and videos, and see the new logos and lines marking playing fields for various sports.
The advantages of the new turf surface are numerous. Now in addition to being used for track and football, lines have been added to create soccer and field hockey fields to accommodate those sports, according to Martin. In addition, the field won't have to be maintained as grass had to be, which will save money on labor and materials.
The facility will be able to be used more often and for more varied activities by the local community and organizations around the state.
The stadium is currently hosting spring sports and other events and will be the site of the first NNPS middle school football city playoff games with the semifinals on May 18 at noon and 3 p.m., and the championship game on May 24 at 6 p.m.
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