Look good, feel good, play good.
This old coaching adage usually applies to uniforms, pregame warmups, and maybe even how a team dresses when they travel.
The Cambridge School District and the Cambridge High School Athletic Department is taking that one step farther for the upcoming season by making sure the facilities are looking good, too.
Upgrades to McFarland Stadium will “wow” Bobcat fans this fall as Scott Hagan, the Barn Artist, is currently doing his magic on the newly renovated press box. Hagan, best known for painting barns, specializes in hand painting larger than life designs on various types of structures including gymnasium walls (stay tuned for more on the gym).
“The vision and talent of Scott (Hagan) has literally transformed these spaces by making everything around them look better,” Athletic Director Aaron Quinn said.
Renovation on the press box at McFarland Stadium started last summer and includes the replacement of the flat rubber roof and a redesign of the interior layout including new counters, windows, electrical, HVAC and flooring.
Most of the work was completed by the school district’s own maintenance crew led by Adam Regan and Dennis Wood. Their expertise and the skills of the maintenance crew allow renovation projects to be completed at a fraction of the cost of hiring contractors. District technology
Adam Regandirector, Phil Biddle, also contributed to the project by hooking up Wi-Fi service to the press box.
The Gene Ford Gymnasium at the High School also is being renovated. Hagan has created a spectacular piece of Bobcat-themed artwork for the walls, plus the gym floor is being refinished with some special touches as well.
"These projects have been two years in the making,” Quinn noted. “Through the determination of our administration and dedication of those that have invested their time and energy, two of the highest traffic areas for our community have been given a much-needed facelift. Both areas are something we all can and should be proud of."
Even with the inhouse expertise, the press box renovation and other similar projects would not be possible without the generous support of sponsors.
Dennis WoodSoutheastern Ohio Regional Medical Center (Southeastern Med) made a substantial naming-rights donation that is paying for the press box project at McFarland.
New lights, a new sound system, a new track, a new scoreboard, and a new flagpole have been installed at McFarland. All of those have been paid for either with donations or funding from the school district and the City of Cambridge.
Amy Latham State Farm and Theo’s Restaurant and Catering made substantial donations that are being used for upgrades at the stadium like the new scoreboard that displays their names.
Guernsey-Muskingum Electric Cooperative made a naming-right donation for the press box at the Gene Ford Gymnasium that is helping to pay for renovations along with rental income from Newpointe Community Church that uses the high school cafeteria for weekly services. Latham is also sponsoring the scoreboard in the gymnasium and a donation from the Gene Ford Foundation also helps with gymnasium renovations.
An ongoing partnership between the School District and the City of Cambridge has helped both entities with facility upgrades in recent years like the new lights at the stadium and at Don Coss Stadium, the baseball field at the City Park.
"Without the willingness of our community partners to help fund these initiatives, Athletics would not be able to provide first
Scoreboard at McFarland Stadium.class facilities for both our student-athletes and visiting teams,” Quinn said. “The renovations to these areas are a beautiful testimony of the support from Southeastern Med, Guernsey-Muskingum Co-op, Theos Restaurant and Catering, Amy Latham (State Farm) and the Gene Ford Foundation."
Other projects within the district include upgrades to the softball field and Don Coss stadium that includes batting cages, fence-toppers, upgrades to the softball back stop and dugouts. At the track, new timing technology is being installed and bleachers may be moved to create better sight lines and improve handicap accessibility. New equipment also has been purchased for the weight room.
Thanks to these investments, the Bobcat athletic facilities will be looking good for all sports in the upcoming year.