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Wednesday, November 11, 2026Nov 11

Ooltewah, Soddy Daisy high schools to get artificial turf football fields

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Fans watch a scrimmage between White County and Rhea County at Rhea County High School in 2022. The Rhea County football program has had an artificial turf field for over 10 years.
Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Fans watch a scrimmage between White County and Rhea County at Rhea County High School in 2022. The Rhea County football program has had an artificial turf field for over 10 years. Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Fans watch a scrimmage between White County and Rhea County at Rhea County High School in 2022. The Rhea County football program has had an artificial turf field for over 10 years.

Ooltewah and Soddy Daisy high schools will soon get artificial turf football fields.

On Thursday, the Hamilton County school board entered into an agreement with the Hamilton County Schools Funds for Excellence to manage a $2 million donation from U.S. Xpress to install the fields.

The school board voted 9-0 to enter into the agreement. School Board Members Larry Grohn, R-East Ridge, and Tiffanie Robinson, an independent from Chattanooga, were absent.

“I just wanted to say thank you,” Board Member Ben Connor, D-Chattanooga, said. “It takes an absolute village, army, whatever you want to say, to raise children, and to support your community is fabulous.”

(READ MORE: Effort to promote equity through student transportation prompts discussion at Hamilton County school board)