If all goes as planned, there will be a flurry of activity taking place at Wayne Jamison Field shortly after members of the Bridgeport High School Class of 2020 receives their diplomas. And one of the first steps to make that plan happen took place Tuesday morning at the complex.

 

Bridgeport High School Track and Field and Cross Country Parents’ Association President Stacy Martin, along with boys’ track Coach Jon Griffith and girls’ track coach Emilee Yurish were on hand to present a $15,000 check to help with a trio of projects at the school.  The biggest of those projects is a $350,000 press box and field house weight room renovation.

 

The check was presented to BHS Principal Matt DeMotto and Travis Jones. Jones is helping the administration in raising funds for the project.

 

Of the $15,000 donated, a portion will go to three projects. Griffith said $5,000 will go to the press box and weight room project, another $5,000 will go to renovating the weight room inside the school, while the final $5,000 will go toward painting the track.

 

“This is going to benefit all the athletic teams, not just the track team,” said Griffith. “All of the sports use the field, the press box and the weight room both here and at the school. We’re excited to be able to do this.”

 

As for the project involving the press box, Jones and DeMotto said this is the first large donation that has been put toward it since it was publicly announced. The Harrison County Board of Education has already approved $150,000 for it, which is a number that coincides with funds provided for other press box facilities in the county.

 

“This is the largest from one of the groups that utilizes and benefits from the facility,” said DeMotto. “It’s nice when groups who utilize the facility contribute. It validates the project. It’s one they see also needs done.”

 

DeMotto says there are plenty of stakeholders involved that utilize the facility. He said the facility, the entire facility, will not only be using the upgrades but will need to be involved in future renovations and upkeep of the entire facility.

 

“To see Coach Griff step up with that understanding is a reflection to not just his program, but to the overall facility that benefits many programs,” said DeMotto.

 

Griffith laid down a challenge recently. He asked other programs to step up and match or exceed the donations to the various projects the track and cross country dollars are helping to fund.  He thinks that will happen.

 

“I’m sure everyone is going to be do their very best to help out this cause the best they can,” said Griffith.

 

As for when the project will start, the goal is to have it begin after graduation. That, however, depends on whether the funds can be raised or not.

 

“You always want to see facility improvements started sooner rather than later. That would be nice. That is the goal,” said DeMotto. “We’ve got some work yet to do (on fundraising).”

 

Along with the dollars presented Tuesday and the BOE funding, DeMotto said there have been dollars the school has set aside and raised that will be utilized. However, six-figures in funds still need to be raised at a minimum.

 

“We’re not across the finish line,” said DeMotto.

 

Anyone wishing to donate individually or on the corporate or business front can contact the high school. The number to call is 304-326-7137.

 

While a start time hasn't been announced for the weight room project inside the school, Griffith did say the painting of the track should take place soon. In fact, weather permitting, the painting of the track should be done in March and before the team's first scrimmage.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows check presentation made Tuesday. Shown, from left, are Jon Griffith, Matt DeMotto, Stacy Martin, track and cross country association treasurer Travis Jones and Emilee Yurish. Bottom shows a conceptual look at what the new press box will look like when completed.