MVHS can only benefit from lights installed on the upper field
Bright lights illuminate the dark Friday night sky. A crowd of boisterous, purple-clad students and parents buzzes as the MVHS football team prepares to meet its foe on its own grid-iron. Roars of enthusiasm explode from the vibrating bleachers, and the entire school faithfully cheers its team on. For one night, the teachers and the students become nameless faces in the stands, united by the desire to support a team. As the Matadors score, the scoreboard puts flashes a number under the “Home” sign. Imagine this scene. Because it should be a reality.
In its illustrious 41-year history, MVHS has never hosted a football game on the upper field. Throughout the countless years of academic excellence, the tradition of high school football present in most American high schools has been nonexistent here. For more reasons than one, it’s time for a change.
In May, the residents of Cupertino passed the parcel tax, which gave MVHS funding for new buildings and renovations. The millions of dollars that will be infused into the school budget over the next few years will provide more than enough money for field renovations. The renovations may include lowering the field and moving the bleachers to reduce crowd noise.
Additionally, football lights will dramatically change the school’s sports programs. Participants of activities such as field hockey and soccer are forced to practice and play games during the afternoon, when many parents are unable to attend their children’s competitions. Lights would alleviate the schedule problems in all practice-intensive outdoor activities. In football, the addition of home games will greatly reduce current transportation costs for not only the players but also for members of band and Spirit.
Most significantly, lights will transform sports games into community-driven events. Students and teachers who want to participate in school events will not have to travel to Cupertino High School in order to support the football team. Higher attendance in home games will inevitably increase the popularity of various sports programs that play at night. Even club organizations will benefit by being able to host concession stand fundraisers.
Unfortunately, opponents to the field lights are still vocal about their grievances. Many claim that the extraneous noise and brightness from night time football games will detract from privacy. Some say the extra cost of renovating the field is unnecessary and the funds can be used for areas of the budget hurt by the recession, like teacher wages.
These claims are not baseless, but most opposition centers on the interests of surrounding homeowners, not MVHS. The fact is, the school has absolutely nothing to lose in hosting football games, and it is only because of these homeowners that this motion is not being passed.Therefore for the sake of MVHS, the district has a solemn obligation to allow lights to be installed and initiate the changes that must be made.
