Old Rochester Athletics Upgrades Funded By Advertising

Old Rochester Regional School District is rolling out a series of long awaited athletics upgrades this season thanks to support from local business partners. The upgrades include a new portable multo-sport scoreboard designed to improve game day visibility.

Superintendent Michael S. Nelson and Athletic Director Chris Carrig said more than $11,000 in new equipment was bought through revenue generated by the new O.R.R.High School advertising partnership. The program, which was launched last year, allows local businesses and corporate sponsors to display logos and information on 4 foot by 8 foot windscreen signs placed in prominent locations on campus.

Recent purchases include a $5,869 portable scoreboard, a $3,715 indoor batting cage and $1,477 in football sideline protective mats. While the athletic expenses were not budgeted for by the district, the school committee approved them in accordance with district policy.

The portable scoreboard is expected to make an immediate impact for outdoor teams that do not play next to the existing scoreboard on the school’s all purpose field where football, soccer and lacrosse games are played.

Officials said the new rechargeable, battery operated unit can be wheeled down to any field on campus. It will provide soccer, baseball, softball and field hockey spectators with a clear view of time remaining, period of play, score and other information. In the past, teams used a small and outdated tabletop scoreboard.

The new indoor batting cage replaces an older cage that deteriorated over time. It comes with a protective floor covering and a vinyl backdrop designed to prevent balls from hitting walls or equipment beyond the net. The new sideline mats will help protect the football field sidelines from wear and tear during games.

Carrig said the district plans to continue using advertising revenue for future improvements to the athletic facilities, equipment and uniforms.