Field turf, track coming to Carson High

Anytime a new football coach takes over, there's going to be a built-in, new found excitment about the program.

Add in the fact, the program is going to have a renovated stadium and new field turf, even more excitment is generated.

Blair Roman, who has taken over as Carson High's football coach, said it's expected that the new track and field turf will be completely installed this summer in time for the Senators' season opener, which will be played at home on August 30 against Spanish Springs.

In addition, renovated bleachers are also expected to be completed in time for the home opener.

Roman said he and vice principal Pat Houlihan are confident that the entire project will be completed by the home opener.

"Without any snafus they should be able to complete everything by the 29th," Roman said. "I think it's a really exciting thing for our community."

The project is being funded by a bond measure that the community passed in the fall of 2006. The new track is desperately needed as the current track has fallen into disrepair.

With a new track, Carson will again be able to host track meets in 2009, which means the Carson Invitational in which schools from all over Northern Nevada competed, could resume. The Carson Invitational has been a major fund-raiser for the track program in the past.

In addition, Carson likely now becomes a candidate to host the NIAA Track Championships for all classes in 2010.

Roman said the new field turf will also be available for the soccer teams to use if they choose. The field turf stadium, though, wouldn't be a regulation-sized soccer field, which Carson already has. The soccer field which is used for games at Carson is natural grass.

Roman said he's also offered the use of the field turf stadium to the Pop Warner and Scholars and Champions programs.

In the event that the turf field isn't ready for the season opener, Roman said he does have a backup plan.

"Without trying to sound an alarm or anything we do have contingency plans if the field isn't finished on the 29th," Roman said.

As far as his program, Roman said he's worked hard to encourage prospective players to come out and believes the numbers in his program will rise.

He said he believes he has "solid commitments" from about 50 players to play varsity football this season. "We're getting off to a great start," Roman said. "I think there's a lot of excitement."

Informally, Roman's players have been working out in athletic conditioning and weight lifting classes and he said the numbers have been strong.

But Roman stressed that this season Carson will have a tough schedule and be in a tough league. With enacted realignment, the Senators will be in a league with Galena, Manogue, Douglas, South Tahoe, Damonte Ranch, Wooster and Fallon.

"Hopefully people will be a little patient but we're certainly looking to be competitive right now," Roman said.

Roman takes over at Carson after serving as an assistant under Coach Bob Bateman at the school in the 1990s. Roman also served as head coach at North Valleys.

The roles are reversed now as Roman is the head coach and Bateman has returned to serve as defensive coordinator. Among others on Roman's staff are Jim Franz, who will be the line coach.

The Carson High Boosters program is also spearheading a fund-raising program to help support the program. Among the needs are senior scholarships, varsity home uniforms, freshmen game pants, varsity travel bags, junior varsity and freshmen travel bags, blocking dummies, video cameras, helmets and pads and volunteer coaching supplements.

Sponsorship levels are $1,000 for Titanium, $500 for Gold, $250 for Silver and $100 for Bronze. For more information, go to www.senatorboosters.com or call Lori Urbani, (775) 287-4025.