Grass is fake, but the change is real for JCSU athletics
|
Posted By: S. Moore on March 10, 2023 Change is inevitable. At Johnson C. Smith, it’s about time. Installation of a FieldTurf playing surface for Eddie McGirt Field is the first step in an initiative to revitalize Golden Bulls athletics. Not only will the football program get a state-of-the-art artificial surface to host games, so will the track program. “Anything that we can do facility-wise to help attract more student athletes is exciting to us,” athletics director Steve Joyner told me. “We can’t wait to get that field in so that we can continue to build better facilities for our student athletes, getting our track back up and running, and things of that nature. We’re very excited about the facilities that are coming online now.” FieldTurf isn’t the only change. Construction of a new weight training facility, locker rooms and study area/meeting rooms are expected to start this month as well. The upgrades are long overdue at JCSU, which has historically lagged their CIAA rivals. The gap has widened in recent years as those rivals – from Virginia State to Livingstone added facilities. It gives you an idea of who's taking athletics seriously and who isn't. JCSU was in a bad spot and faced the real possibility of falling further behind. “I’m a Golden Bull, and to see this type of history-making event happen in person is amazing,” Golden Bulls football coach Maurice Flowers said. “It’s all I can say. I’m past excited and almost speechless because we as Smithites know it’s been a long time for these types of upgrades to come for the athletic department. Not just football, but for the athletic department.” A new day is dawning at JCSU, and it’s long overdue. Facilities are only a start, and with an influx of new hires among coaches like Flowers and Lawrence, there actually may be reason for hope on Beatties Ford Road. The grass is greener, and perhaps there’s now a path forward to a better program. SOURCE The Charlotte Post If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
Comments
More From This Author
Latest News
Popular News
 |
North Carolina HBCU Unity DayShaw University - Elizabeth City State University - Johnson C. Smith University - Fayetteville State University - Livingstone College - North Carolina A&T State University - North Carolina Central Uni ...more
Reginald Culpepper • 104,272 Views • August 8th, 2016 |
