Hixson Youth Athletic Association football field to receive makeover

photo Chattanooga State instructor of landscape management Casey Neal, left, and Chattanooga State student Chris Wood, of Hixson, plan to complete intense turf work to improve the Hixson Youth Athletic Association football field. Photo by Katie Ward

Chattanooga State landscape and turf management students and volunteers plan to redo the turf of the Hixson Youth Athletic Association football field in front of the former Hixson Middle School June 10-11.

"We are just so excited at HYAA to have Chattanooga State, Abba's House and Stuart Heights Baptist volunteers helping us," said HYAA football commissioner and Abba's House associate pastor Ronnie Phillips Jr. "We thank God for a community like Hixson willing to help us have a top-notch program for kids of all races. HYAA is about building kids up."

According to Chattanooga State landscape and turf management instructor Casey Neal, more volunteers are needed. The goal is to recruit at least 30 to 40 volunteers. Some volunteers will prepare the site June 10, but the majority will work one of two shifts, from 8 a.m. to noon or from noon to 4 p.m. June 11, to complete the project.

"We need to get the field in good, playable condition," said Neal. "We will rip out the area between the 30-yard lines and re-sod it. We want to level it out and re-seed it."

Chattanooga State student and Hixson resident Chris Wood, who used to play on the field, said when HMS players last played there in 2009, a child could break an ankle due to worn-down spots on the field.

GET INVOLVEDTo RSVP to volunteer at the HYAA football field, contact Chris Wood at 304-2698. To learn more about Chattanooga State's landscape and turf management program, call instructor Casey Neal at 697-2580.

"The kids deserve a better football field than this," he said.

Neal said Bermuda grass will spread across the field in time for football season. He said volunteers will also check out the irrigation system and make sure the sprinkler system works well.

The city of Chattanooga is providing the sod, compost and seed for the project. Companies supplying free labor include Bobcat of Chattanooga, 4Rent and Fischer Irrigation and Lighting.

"This semester we are talking about turf grass management from installing turf to maintaining it for sports fields, golf courses and residential property," said Neal. "It will be great to show the kids what a difference a day of work makes on this field."

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