Cortland Standard .net

By TOM VARTANIAN
Staff Writer
The great Abbott and Costello routine of “Who’s on First” could be thought of with new meaning starting with the spring sports season at Homer Central.
With the new renovation project for the high school gymnasium and auditorium expected to begin in earnest in April, Trojan sports teams from varsity to junior high — along with daily physical education classes — will be looking for alternative plans through Dec. 2016 or Jan. 2017.
Juggling many of the balls is tough enough under normal circumstances, but Homer athletic director Michael Carboine has a lot more juggling to do over the next 20-22 months.
Along with the known fact that varsity and junior varsity boys’ basketball, girls’ basketball, wrestling and volleyball squads are affected by the new gymnasium construction, baseball and outdoor track and field programs are also affected. So is football at the varsity, junior varsity and modified levels, along with the other teams that use George Butt Field and the areas around the stadium complex because of set-up/storage areas used for the gym/auditorium work. Eventually, varsity and JV softball along with most of the junior high outdoor sports programs will feel some of the effects.
“A majority of our sports contests will be on the road,” Carboine said. “We can have some home contests, but we are getting some assistance from SUNY Cortland, Tully High School and number of our neighbors who have been very helpful.
“The biggest thing people need to really know is we are losing four and one-half practice fields,” he added. “That includes the baseball field outfield, the shot put-discus throwing area and the junior high fields. Those junior high fields will be affected by some drainage work that needs to be done.”
THE CONSTRUCTION FOR the new gymnasium will be in the area between the Fitness Center and small gym, basically the basketball court, locker rooms, coaches’ rooms, trainer’s room and free weight rooms will be out of commission during the project.
“It’s a much needed project,” Homer Central School District Superintendent Nancy Ruscio said. “Anybody who comes here for athletic contests knows that our facilities are outdated and have been outdated for a while. We are very excited for the project.
“It certainly will bring challenges for both the sports and music programs,” she added. “They will all adapt for their various events. Our athletic coaches certainly understand the need, want this and will make it a very positive experience for the teams over the next two years. There are already t-shirts for some of the teams and slogans as road warriors, etc. “
The immediate concern right now is baseball where the varsity and JV teams will be on the road all season. The varsity baseball just found out it will be practicing in Preble. There is a small field in the town that will be used and the varsity team will help in its maintenance during the season. The JV baseball team will practice at the junior high school.
The boys’ and girls’ lacrosse teams will still practice and play games on Butts Field while the track team can still practice at the high school. All track meets will be on the road because of the construction set-up area.
The tennis courts are also getting a makeover, but that is slated to happen over the summer after the boys end their spring season and before the girls start theirs next fall season.
THE JUNIOR HIGH teams face the least disruption this spring as do the varsity and JV softball team who already use a field behind the junior high.
In the fall, Homer varsity and JV volleyball will practice in the Junior High School or Intermediate School while playing all matches at Tully High School as the Black Knights play volleyball in the winter. In return, Tully will played some lacrosse matches on Butts Field this spring.
All football from varsity down to junior high will practice on Butts Field from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. with all home games played there as well.
Soccer for both the varsity and JV girls and boys are still looking for practice fields. Varsity matches will be played on Butts Field while JV games will be played on the grass fields at SUNY Cortland. Casey Field — where Homer used to play games and practice — was considered.
“Casey Field was a possibility, but it was not the first option,” Carboine said. “It is more of a fallback option, if needed at all. It’s really like a jigsaw puzzle as you try to find the correct spot for everyone.
“SUNY Cortland was there for us back when we did the new turf field,” he continued. “They really have been a great neighbor.”
“The partnerships have been great,” Ruscio said. “Mr. Carboine and the coaches have reached out to make these great possibilities. It’s a real win-win. We will continue to reach out to give out athletes the best possible experiences over the next two years.”
Field hockey teams will practice behind the Homer Elementary School. Games will be played on Butts Field.
Junior high teams will continue to practice and play soccer matches at the junior high school. Junior high field hockey will practice and play its games at the elementary school .
THE 2015-16 WINTER season is still being ironed out. While all basketball practices for the boys and girls will be in the junior high or intermediate school, all varsity and JV games will be on the road. There are discussions on the possibility of some “home” games at SUNY Cortland.
Wrestling will still take place in the basement’s small gym, but all matches will be on the road.All that’s been mentioned so far concerns the Trojan sports programs. There are also daily physical education classes that will feel the pinch because of lack of space.
“Luckily we do still have Butts Field,” Carboine said. “We have the Fitness Center and the small gym.
“We are converting a couple of small areas into changing areas for the students. There won’t be lockers, but the kids will have an area to change in. Those areas will be locked during classes so kids can leave their school clothes there. The kids will have to carry their gym clothes or maybe store them in their regular locker.”
The new area will have not only the gym and locker rooms, but a visiting team locker room, new coaches’ offices, new iron (free weight) room, new trainer’s room and new physical education offices downstairs. With the new auditorium renovations, Carboine will even have a new office. His office will be located in what was once the balcony for the old gym.
I’m really excited about the new plans,” Carboine said.
The baseball field will move to the junior high school and be positioned in what is right field for the current softball field. The softball field will be built by the bus garage — centerfield of the current baseball field — and the dugouts for the softball team will be moved to the new high school location.
“THE NEW GYMNASIUM will have bleachers on three sides; a little nice arena feel for larger games,” Carboine said. “The folding door will allow both varsity and JV teams to practice at the same time, hopefully eliminating those 7-9 p.m. practices.
“The coaches have been great with what’s happening,”he continued. “They all know that they have to pitch in and help out. They know that down the road it’s going to be a great place to play and it’s great for the kids.”
“Our PE program has been focused on life skills,” Ruscio said. “You will frequently see classes out on bicycles around town or running around town. Also various activities like snow-shoeing have been incorporated.
“Our PE teachers are very creative and they are up to the challenge,” she continued. “We have worked to provide changing areas. This facility will be significantly impacted over the next two years.”
While the renovations have yet to begin, the future of Homer sports team will be bright and the state-of-the-facilities will be a new source of “Blue Pride” for all Trojans student-athletes.