What’s Right With Our Schools: Reggie White Field

August 26, 2024

WDEF News,

Over the weekend, many gathered at The Howard School to celebrate the new turf field.

The field is dedicated to Howard alum Reggie White.

White played 15 seasons in the National Football League (NFL) and passed away at the age of 43 in 2004.

White’s family and friends as well as Howard students and staff gathered at the new field that honors his legacy.

Take a look at this week’s what’s right with our schools.

“I think someone is excited about what’s going on today here at the amazing Howard School.”

“Big day today. We’re here today to celebrate another first, and that is the first turfield ever for Howard High School,” said Dr. LeAndrea Ware, Executive Principal at The Howard School.

“Mama Reggie White is going to cut this ribbon and we’re going to scream like we have lost our minds. So on the count of three you all let’s go; 1, 2, 3!!!!”

“When our students see the community pouring into them, our faculty our staff; everything just everybody, pouring into them, it gives them that indomitable will to continue to go, to continue to be about excellence. And to really go out and positively impact our community and our society,” said Ware.

“We cannot begin to introduce turf fields without starting at Reggie White Field. I grew up here in the wake of Reggie White. I took pride as a little boy knowing that this was Reggie White’s Hometown. Not just the greatest defensive football player of all time, but one of the great men of all time.”

“Now there’s only one field in Hamilton County named after Reggie White. This is Reggie White Field. So we needed to start here. But the but it goes beyond just athletes having good uh facilities and good fields because, where you’ve got turf coaches aren’t spending their time mowing grass striping fields. They have more time to mentor kids, coach, get back to their own families and be be dads. So that’s part of this is that, there’s a reason that private schools, that universities, have gone in this direction. And Dr Robertson and I really want to begin to across the county, raise the bar for athletic facilities. And it’s at Howard it’s not just this field, this is the beginning. We want to start here, it’s right here on the interstate I think it’s a statement also just about this county. If you’re passing through you know this is Chattanooga Tennessee. I want people to know this is the one school you’re going to see. I want you to see this facility and know that we’re first and foremost investing in our students,” said Hamilton County Mayor, Weston Wamp.

“On the count of three, I want everybody to say Reggie. One, two, three!!!”

“I want to make sure that my life represents God in a way that when I’m in your presence, and you in mine, you feel the God that I serve,” said the late Reggie White.

“We are so humbled and so moved, that so many people think about Reggie. It’s like, it’s infinite. You know it’s continuous, and we’re just so grateful. Because he really deserves that honor. Even on and off the field,” said cousin of Reggie White, Kimberly Cunningham.

“The fact that it’s been 44 years Reggie White came out class in 1980. Um, 44 years strong and his legacy is still alive and well today. We are so grateful that he was able to pass our way and be a part of our lives. And as long as we have breath in our bodies, we’re going to continue to positively uplift not only Reggie White’s name and memory, but the Excellence here at the most amazing Howard School,” said Ware.