The Titans are not only heroes to some kids on the field, but their organization is helping to bring good things to young athletes on the fields of Metro Nashville.
The Tennessee Titans give back to Metro Nashville Public Schools originally appeared on The Sporting News
The crowd was energetic and proud at Glencliff High School on last Friday night in Nashville, Tennessee. For their Homecoming game, they were taking on Hillboro High School. The Colts, a Metro Nashville team, were excited not only about the homecoming game but also about the new turf they were debuting. The new turf field was made possible by a collaborative plan. The idea, according to Johari Matthews, Vice President and Executive Director of the Titans Foundation/One Community, was conceived three years ago.
“When discussions began about the new stadium, we focused on how we could give back to the community and create a benefit out of the new stadium deal with the community. We had initially thought about replacing and gifting a new turf field to one of our high schools, which is East High School. And eventually, after speaking with Dr. Adrienne Battle and understanding the importance of ensuring that if you are going to give it to one school, all schools receive the same treatment and benefit. We came together with Metro Nashville Public Schools and the city to think about a collaborative way that we could really make that a reality. “
The reality was a collaborative project between the Tennessee Titans, the Metro Nashville Government, and the non-profit organization The Fans Inc., with Dr. Battle, superintendent of Metro Nashville Public Schools, facilitating an understanding among all three entities that all Metro Nashville Public Schools with football fields needed the turf. All three combined to pay one-third each of the costs to replace the fields for all schools in Metro Nashville Public Schools with turf fields, with Glencliff being one of the latest to debut its turf field.
Metro Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell, who was on hand for the Homecoming game at Glencliff, was happy to see this plan all come together for Metro Nashville public schools.
“I feel like we are very fortunate. Not only since I took office, but starting even a little bit before I took office, we have been trying to make some comprehensive investments in Metro schools. But sometimes when those joint efforts align like this, you get to see the city step up. The school district obviously had a need and the Titans, with that generosity, met with Metro to make sure we could get all this stuff funded. “
McConnell was not alone in his happiness for the new field. Glencliff principal Clint Wilson has seen a different level of joy amongst the school community.
“There has been a lot of excitement with our program. We have not had that here in a while. When the kids heard about it, they were excited to see what it would look like and get to play on it for the first time. Really a cool moment here on the field.”
The stands were packed, the players were excited, and the field looked great, with green turf and blue and red endzones.
The Tennessee Titans, through One Community, have stayed true to their identity since the Organization was established in October 2022. After all, the mission for One Community is to create generational change by focusing on three pillars: Opportunity, Neighborhoods and Education.
However, there is still more work to be done, according to McConnell, as four fields were completed this year, and five more will be completed through this joint venture next year. As far as Matthews is concerned, the Titans are fully committed to helping with these initiatives and will play a role in supporting Metro Nashville schools.
“All these different ways a school can use a turf field, and we were all in. And that was the benefit we wanted to ensure we played a role in and had an impact with. It has been a tremendous thing to see how well-received these fields have been. We immediately realized that this is not only something beautiful happening for all our students across Nashville and our school districts, but also that Dr. Battle was right. Every school deserves this benefit and this gift.”
Category: Football
