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Field of Dreams

Thanks to generous donations from the Titan community, a state-of-the art new turf field in Aycock Stadium will save natural resources, while giving students an all-weather, championship-level playing surface
On the weekend of September 10-11, the sun shone a little brighter on the new turf field in Aycock Stadium as our student-athletes competed for the first time on the new green carpet. It was a weekend full of green, blue and white spirit as the JV and varsity field hockey and football teams each took home big wins during the inaugural games played on the new surface. 

The weekend celebration was the culmination of nearly two years of planning and execution, along with donations from alumni, parents, faculty and friends of Trinity. In total, more than 200 individuals contributed $758,000 to the project since the campaign launched in the fall of 2019. This included $58,255 through the #FinishTheField challenge that was matched by anonymous Titans who agreed to give the full $100,000.  

For Saturday’s home football game, leadership donors gathered in the Speight Alumni Room and Cooke Balcony overlooking the gleaming new field. Director of Development Anne Hurt and Director of Athletics Anna Prillaman shared special remarks during halftime to an enthusiastic crowd of alumni, parents, students and Titan fans. “When I look at the new turf field in Aycock Stadium, I see grit,” said Hurt. “Not only because of what our student-athletes bring to this field every day in practice and during competition, but also because of the determination of those generous Titans who committed to this project. I want to thank all those who believed in this project and generously gave because of their love of our students and the Titan community.” 

Shared by four athletic teams, field hockey, football and boys and girls lacrosse, the new synthetic grass field has already begun to pay dividends — allowing student-athletes the opportunity to hone their skills on a collegiate-level field while having the flexibility to play in all weather conditions.

“The addition of a turf field in Aycock Stadium is more than just an aesthetic improvement,” said Prillaman. It provides our student athletes the chance to play on a surface that is in line with other league and state member schools, as well as championship play. We are thrilled about the doors this opens for us in regards to competitive preparation as well as the day-to-day operation conveniences it provides the school.”

Unlike traditional grass fields, which can go offline for days during rainy weather, the new all-weather surface drains quickly, allowing practices to resume with little to no delay. Prillaman estimates that turf will provide Trinity athletes with approximately 25% more practice time over the course of a year, especially for the spring sports. 

Made from organic, renewable pine, the wood infill is safer, cleaner and faster than rubber-filled fields. Unlike a rubber infill, this sustainable choice of turf infill is cooler and has a lower abrasion rate making it safer for athletes.  A turfed field also means less maintenance including painting, watering, seeding, mowing and use of chemicals and fertilizers typically needed for natural grass upkeep. "Just in the first year alone, we're already going to see nearly $50,000 in cost savings in those areas," said Joe Monaco, director of business operations. 
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Trinity Episcopal School

3850 PITTAWAY DR | RICHMOND VA 23235-1099 | Phone: 804.272.5864 | Fax: 804.272.5865 Email: mail@trinityes.org