Athens High School / Triumph after Tragedy

Thursday September 16, 2010.  It was the first tornado to hit The Plains, Ohio since 1937.  

Violent Storm

The Athens High School girls soccer team was half way through a tied game versus Alexander High School of Albany Ohio when the game was put on a weather delay due to lightning.  High winds and tornado sirens signaled a more serious threat - the team and the fans sought shelter in the football locker room.  

Destruction

The Press Box was blown off the bleachers at AHS a
tornado blew through The Plains last fall.
Photo Credit: Dustin Franz

Just as the tornado sirens began screaming the electricity went out. Two HVAC units were torn from the rooftop of the High School. Visitor side bleachers were ripped from the ground and thrown into the track. The press box on the field was destroyed.  The roof of the concession stand ripped off. Trees were down, fences demolished, scoreboard broken in half - debris everywhere.  Basil Rutter Field was covered in broken glass, splintered wood and other unidentifiable materials. In a word, destroyed.  Amazingly, no one was seriously injured.

• Click HERE to read an incredible front line account from sports editor Kevin Wiseman who was at AHS to cover the soccer game.
• Click HERE to see compiled images
• Click HERE to see the National Weather Service Storm Survey

Rebuilding

Almost immediately students, staff and community members began piecing the destruction back together. Volunteers literally began picking up the pieces one by one. Support groups were formed and planning committees began plotting their comeback.  Fund raising was in full effect - one AHS alumnus donated $300,000 to his alma matter to rebuild the football field and surrounding areas.  The stadium has been named Scott Riggs and Family Stadium in his honor.  A total renovation for Athens High School including new lights, scoreboard, field, track, bleachers, concession stand, restrooms, press box, field house, walls and sidewalks.  

After hearing solid references and strong reviews of The Motz Group (Cincinnati Ohio) an athletic field construction company that designs and installs high performance synthetic turf fields for many high schools, Principal Mike Meek and Athletic Director Chuck Robinson secured them for the project.  The Motz Group arrived ready to work at the start of April but due to the incessant rain the project was delayed.   As soon as the weather broke the team got to work. "Each layer laid on the field helped the community feel like things were coming back together - stronger and better than ever" said Chad Lavender, Project Superintendent for The Motz Group.  "We're here for AHS and the people of The Plains. We'll be here for years to come."

• Click HERE (fast forward to 23:45) to see a report on the renovation. 
• Click HERE to see a 5 video compilation on You Tube.

The system of choice for the newly renovated Rutter Field was The Motz Group's 24/7® turf system. 24/7 provides all-weather toughness that stands up to repeated pounding while staying strong, clean and aesthetically pleasing. 

"There's not a better multi-use synthetic sports field turf system than 24/7 and there's not a better team to work with than The Motz Group" adds Lavender.

Game On

The new field is almost complete and will be ready for play when The Athens High School Bulldogs take the field on August 13th in a scrimmage against Morgan High School.  It will be exciting for sure!  

The Motz Group prides itself on providing quality products and personal service, backed by a 34-year history of building trust.  For more information about The Motz Group and 24/7® turf please contact Zach Burns at 513.533.6452 or info@themotzgroup.com