Legendary Coach Paul Adams Cuts Ribbon for New DHS Turf

welcomed special guest and former coach Paul Adams to the football field Friday night. His assignment: cut the ribbon during a half-time ceremony to inaugurate the artificial turf that was recently installed in the field named after him. 

Adams served as head coach for the Warriors from 1966 to 1992, and had only one losing season in 26 years. Escorted by Susan Bromberg of the DHS Boosters Club, Adams made his way to the ribbon met by applause from an appreciative audience.

Earlier:

In remarks before the ribbon cutting, DHS Principal Audris Griffith thanked the Boosters “Making a Difference” campaign committee consisting of Bromberg, David Haas, Tina Kayne, Brandon Kerndt, John McGuire, Howard Pattis and DHS Athletic Director Robert Ruiz. The campaign raised $500,000 toward the funding of the field, triggering a contribution from the school district that made the field a reality. About 200 donors contributed to the campaign.

“How’s this for home field advantage,” current Boosters President David Haas asked the spectators.

Ahead of the ceremony, Haas told Patch the brilliant green field, accentuated by black end-zone turf with red lettering, was “even better” than he expected it to be. A colorful Warrior emblem sits mid-field.

Although some community members have expressed concerns that money is going toward athletics rather than academics, supporters argue that the money is well spent. They say students who otherwise wouldn’t have had the chance to set foot on the field will now benefit from the constant access now allowed.

Ellery Marks of the girls’ field hockey team also spoke at half-time. “We hope that (the turf) will encourage more students to participate in athletics,” she said. 

Unfortunately, the new turf didn’t slow a tough Zion Benton squad in the Friday night varsity football game. The Zee Bees won the game against the Warriors 27-13.