IN Sewickley Area Spring 2014 | Page 46

QUA KER VAL L E Y S C HOO L D IS TRI C T NE WS ewickley Area Chuck Knox Stadium turf to be replaced The artificial turf at Quaker Valley’s Chuck Knox Stadium will be replaced following the spring athletic season. The Quaker Valley School Board approved the $439,539 contract with Shaw Turf during its legislative meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2014. Installation will begin immediately following the upcoming boys’ and girls’ lacrosse season. The new turf will be ready in time for the start of the football and soccer seasons in August. The current turf was installed in 2004 and is in disrepair. The playing surface is uneven, the fibers are coming out and many of the seams have torn. “The lifespan of artificial turf is typically seven to 10 years,” Dr. Joseph H. Clapper, superintendent, said. “We are pleased that we were able to attain maximum use of the field for an entire decade.” Chuck Knox Stadium is used for practice and games by several Quaker Valley High School athletic teams including girls’ soccer, boys’ soccer, football, girls’ lacrosse, boys’ lacrosse as well as the marching band and cheerleaders. In addition, the field hosts events for middle school athletics as well as community sports and recreation teams. “Our stadium and athletic field is the center of activity for so many school and community teams,” Dr. Clapper said. “It’s an important community asset that we must maintain in order to ensure its continued volume of activity.” Since the turf was installed in 2004, the district has garnered nearly $40,000 in stadium rental fees from a variety of non-district groups and organizations. Prior to 2004, the stadium had natural grass playing surface. “Maintaining a grass field with this level of usage is just not feasible,” Dr. Clapper said. “Artificial turf provides a safer surface for our student athletes, maximum facility use, and is much less costly than maintaining a grass field.” 44 Sewickley Area Mastroianni inducted into the PBC Hall of Fame Q uaker Valley School District’s director of athletics and student activities is among the latest inductees to the Pittsburgh Basketball Club’s Hall of Fame. Mike Mastroianni, who also serves at the varsity boys’ basketball coach, was honored at events on Jan. 25 -26, 2014. The Pittsburgh Basketball Club introduced its Hall of Fame in 2009 to acknowledge the rich basketball tradition of Western Pennsylvania and to honor the many outstanding coaches, players, teams and contributors that truly set the standard for today’s teams and players. “Mr. Mastroianni has made a significant impact on Quaker Valley’s entire athletic program,” Dr. Joseph H.