Portland, Tennessee Blog

I think the football stadium should stay where it is. It does need to be Knocked down and rebuilt since it is no longer safe for use. A new field would be nice at the new School but the old field has lots of history. Think of the thousands of games that have been played there.

Weather the new field is placed at the new school or not we do need a safe place to root for our team. Lets Go P

For anyone who is interested, you can now go to the QB Clubs website. It's still under construction but some of the pages are up. The website address is portlandqbclub.org no need for the www

Our first game this year will be AT White House on August 31st at 7:30pm.

After that:
September 7 - Clarksville NW (A)
September 14- Greenbrier (H)
September 21- Mt. Juliet (H)
September 28- Station Camp (A)
October 5- Kenwood (A)
October 12- Clarksville High (A)
October 19- Springfield (H)
October 26- Rossview (H) Homecoming
November 2- Beech (H) Sr. Recognition

All games start at 7:30pm. Come out and support the team and the band!

Thanks for taking the time to answer my question.

Thanks for taking the time to answer my question.

DeeAnna, the money received from the county is VERY SMALL in regards to athletics. Call your local Sumner County Board of Education and ask to speak to someone for exact figures if this bothers you so badly. As a result of minimal funding for athletics, many communities that are supportive of local high school football programs create what's called a "Quarterback Club" which is made up of former players, coaches, parents, and pretty much any of those who are interested in supporting their local high school football team. Their members donate money themselves and also work in helping with fundraising for the program. The only time I honestly believe that the county itself builds an athletic field of any type, is with the initial building of the school, like in the case most recently, of Station Camp.

I'd say that 90% (or more) of what your local high school football team has, whether it be a fieldhouse, uniforms, weights, etc....is purchased by funds secured through donations and/or fundraising through the "QB Club".

Even the high school bands in our county have to rely on much of the same when it comes to being able to purchase things they need. What the county gives to extracurricular activites is laughable. I'm talking band, soccer, baseball, football, you name it....they depend GREATLY on the support of the community. I don't care what it is, it depends on the support of the community. In this town, and in many of our neigboring towns as well, the community seems most supportive of local high school football, that's why they have more money in their programs, it's because of the love of the support, mainly on a regional basis, that the community empties their pockets for them....

Portland, White House, Westmoreland, you name it, have successful programs because these towns have a great sense of community, and basically , just love their football! That's why inner cities schools, such as Pearl-Cohn, Maplewood, Stratford, etc, often struggle when it comes to facilities, having to have hand me down uniforms, and what not, because they rely soley on what Metro has to offer them. If you go to one of their stadiums, you will see their side empty while yours is full....and that's sad because these kids are playing sports instead of walking the inner city streets, but their parents are either working two jobs, or just don't care.

But there is your answer...almost NOTHING comes from the county for all the added things you see when it comes to high school band and sports....That's why they knock at your door. They rely on the support of the community......

Now you can rest easily knowing that your tax dollars aren't going to fund very much of what the students choose to do outside of the classroom, which is to represent their school in sports, band, or whatever it may be....I personally, choose to support them.

Have a nice day!

I don't know what the Quarterback Club is either.
I'd like to know how much of the football expenses they pay and how much is paid for by county money, taxes, etc.....or what part of the school's budget is spent on sports and the building of new football fields, etc.

I don't know what the Quarterback Club is either.
Do they fund the building of the football stadiums and pay for everything that goes with the sports programs ??
If not,
How much money does the school get from the county for sports and how much is from fund-raising ?
I would think it would take a LOT of money to build a new football field..with all those bleachers and lights, etc.

May I ask what is the Quarterback Club? We're not originally from here and have never lived in a town that had one, so I'm curious as to it's members, origin, and purpose?

I just recently graduated from Portland High School. We have a great school we should be proud of. We have a great building, a great staff, and we did have a great principal. They all work very hard to make our school the best it can be. Football games are great and the team does work very hard. For those of you talking about the people who can't read and so on that's because they don't apply themselves. The help is there if they want it. But most of them don't. So don't talk bad about the school unless you've been there recently and understand the student population. Back on subject....a new football stadium would be nice. As someone else said...it would be nice for the team to leave the fieldhouse and walk right onto the field not have to load everyone on busses to go across town.

I just recently graduated from Portland High School. We have a great school we should be proud of. We have a great building, a great staff, and we did have a great principal. They all work very hard to make our school the best it can be. Football games are great and the team does work very hard. For those of you talking about the people who can't read and so on that's because they don't apply themselves. The help is there if they want it. But most of them don't. So don't talk bad about the school unless you've been there recently and understand the student population.

I found these statistics on a website and thought it was of interest:

Think about it......

50% of high school football and basketball players believe they will get a college scholarship
Only 2% of high school athletes will ever play in college
Only 1% of high school athletes will ever receive a scholarhip to a division 1 school
Only 1 out of 12,000 athletes will go on to become a professional athlete
Only 1 in every 5,200 college football players will go on to become a professional player
67% of all NFL players DO NOT have a college degree
The average career in the NFL lasts 3.5 years
Play Hard, but Study Harder

the soccer team will never get the recognition that the football team does. The soccer teams and the parents work hard. Sitting out in the hot sun and in the cold. But when the soccer jamboree happens, there is only 1 or 2 pictures in the paper, if even that much. I think it is a shame. Those kids work really hard and they sacrifice there time too. I just think that the paper and the people of this community should recognize those children too!

the soccer team will never get the recognition that the football team does. The soccer teams and the parents work hard. Sitting out in the hot sun and in the cold. But when the soccer jamboree happens, there is only 1 or 2 pictures in the paper, if even that much. I think it is a shame. Those kids work really hard and they sacrifice there time too. I just think that the paper and the people of this community should recognize those children too!

the soccer team will never get the recognition that the football team does. The soccer teams and the parents work hard. Sitting out in the hot sun and in the cold. But when the soccer jamboree happens, there is only 1 or 2 pictures in the paper, if even that much. I think it is a shame. Those kids work really hard and they sacrifice there time too. I just think that the paper and the people of this community should recognize those children too!

I agree, Corey is going to make a fortune playing basketball. My point is that he is the exception, not the rule. Most men and women who played sports in high school do not make a career of it. Therefore, it is crucial that we, as the adults in our community, insure that all students are expected to succeed academically as well as physically. We can expect a lot more from our high school students than we do.

Who is responsible for funding a new football stadium?

DA-If I am not mistaken, Corey still left college one year early. He was just a junior this past season. So your applause, at least what warrants getting applause from you may have to be taken back. He stayed one more year(his junior year) to make a run at another championship (which they won)to pad his resume even further for the NBA draft. He'll make more in a decade of playing pro basketball than he would have at any job with even a degree. Two years at $4.4 million, in my opinion is more than several years of working a job in the real world will bring you....Congrats to Corey he deserves it. He is living his dream, and making money at what he loves to do, unlike many of us.....

Jason, Ronnie was indeed a very successful recording artist with numerous Top Ten hits from 1979 on through the 1980's. Just do a google search. Of course, many people today may not remember him, but if they heard his songs, they would say, "Oh...I didn't know that was Ronnie McDowell..."

Granted, if you met Ronnie McDowell, you would quickly realize that he thinks of himself as a bigger star than he ever was. Nevertheless, he brought notoriety to a much smaller city of Portland back in the 1980's. I even remember him being on the American Music Awards in the late 80's.

Terry George...great point you made sir.

Judy...I agree, this was meant to be about a football stadium. Maybe it will get back on track....

Perhaps we could get back to the topic of this thread which is:
What is your thoughts about A NEW FOOTBALL STADIUM FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL!

Im sorry, but there is something I dont understand about those signs with Corey and Ronnie. Was Ronnie ever a star?? I would say maybe an artist, but I wouldn't say star. When you ask people outside of Portland who Ronnie McDowell is they don't have a clue. And a lot of people in Portland don't know who he is. I wish they would fix the sign to say country music artist.

As I think that it would be nice to get a new footabll field, what about the other sports that need new stuff? For instance the soccer teams have been trying to get a concession stand/bathrooms/field house built for awhile. Why not help the other sports first before just focusing on football. As I recall our football team as not been that good. Although our High School Soccer Team Has went to the finals the past two years. Where is the fairness in this? Lets just face it if you are not a football player or a cheerleader you are a nobody. I know of some students that have graduated from Portland and they can barely read. Guess what they were Football players.

There is nothing stated that academics has to be sacrificed to play athletics.There were many young men and women this past year who competed in football,baseball,soccer,basketball,etc.who were also very good students.There were more than a few who received scholarships to college.In fact 2 of the five valedictorians were varsity athletes.The experience of being in a TEAM atmosphere is a valuable commodity when being faced with real world scenarios.

JW;
Thanks for the kind words about Soccer. Yes, it is a difficult and dangerous sport. Thank God he was never seriously injured while playing.

Mac --
You said, "Nothing brings more of a community spirit and excitement than when your local high school team suits up and and competes with rival towns. What's wrong with that?"

Not a thing, if that's the extent of the community commitment. But it is wrong when sports takes more of the community and school's time, money and interest than good ol' Reading, 'Riting and 'Rithmatic. I get all excited when I see my home football team run out on the field to the sound of our School Song (Yeah, in some parts of the country, there are school songs, not just a stale Alma Mater!). But that same school also offers top-notch vocational training as well as an excellent College Prep program.

I ask you, Mack, would the people of Portland cough up $45,000 for scholarships for honor students to spend on College Education? Of course not! But just 4 years ago, Portland was able to raise $45,000 so that the Championship Football Team could have Super-Bowl type rings and letter jackets. That's off-balance.

I applaud Corey Brewer (our current sports celeb) for staying in school that extra year. He could have gone pro a year ago, but for whatever reason, he stayed at Florida. Now, when his NBA career is over (and someday, folks, it WILL be over), he will have a bachelor's degree from a reputable college. That's worth a lot.

Dislike it all you want ladies, and while I respect your opinion and also agree somewhat that athletics are often put above and beyond everything else, it's just fact that football is indeed very big in the south, and nothing brings more of a community spirit and excitement than when your local high school team suits up and and competes with rival towns.

It's fun, it's traditional, and it brings the community together on Friday nights. So what's wrong with that?

DA -- you are so right. It is so sad that the mindset is the way it is...and it's reflected in the test scores of students of the United States compared with other countries.

I'm sorry to hear that about your son and the heckling he took from those "grown men". They were neither grown or men.

If it were just a "guy thing" it would be one thing...but it seems to be the prevailing attitude with the school systems, too...that if their school doesen't win the whatever championship, they may as well not have a school.

More importance should be given to academics and preparing students for college and worrying more about the report cards than the Friday night score.

But...that's just how it is.

JW....I don't have a son that was badgered by anyone and he never played soccer. You've directed your comments to the wrong person.

(My son is at the Top Gun School in Fallon, Nevada serving in the Navy.)

Oh, I do agree with you...seems schools' first priority is sports..and you're right...it's all over the country.

DeeAnna,

Portland isn't the only town that puts sports above all else....this is very common all over the country.

I think it is horrible that your son had to be badgered by a bunch of rednecks just because he chooses to play soccer. Maybe they should give soccer a try, it isn't as easy at it looks. It is very easy to get very badly injured playing soccer.

DeeAnna,
I think it's a "guy thing" that you and I would never understand. It is a sad fact of life in not only Portland, but many other towns, that Academics are for wimps; REAL men play football. When my youngest was on a Soccer team in Hendersonville, a car full of grown men actually drove by the field, yelling at the kids out of the car windows that they were sissies because they weren't man enough to play football.

I think we need to face the sad reality; Portland High School is more than happy to take their 15 minutes of fame for being the home of a sports celebrity. They really could care less for someone who excels in something like Math, Chemistry or Literature.

Mack,

I think the train whistle that is being referred to is the actual train whistle as trains come by.

I must say, people from all over middle tennessee know about this train whistle as the trains go by during a game. That would be hard to replace.

Nevertheless, I am all for a new stadium.

The stadium would be paid for pretty much 100% by donations through the QB club, much like the new fieldhouse. Also grants I'm sure would be factored in, so don't worry you won't have to pay anything.

Tradition? Whatever... the place has had it's best years. The Yankees are about to leave Yankee stadium, the Cowboys are about to leave their Irving,TX stadium. Tradition is great and all, but there will EVENTUALLY come a time when a stadium starts falling apart. That's when you move on and start NEW traditions....!

A stadium behind the high school would mean the team could walk from their fieldhouse to the play field, not have to load and pay for buses...

The train whistle? The one you hear 150 times during a game is inside the merch stand if I am not mistaken, so it can be moved to a new stadium.

Why? The place looks old and run down and there is not enough parking, and not enough room to walk around the field when there is a big crowd. And the men's bathroom? I bet they have better bathrooms in prisons. All it is... is a um,well....someone else describe the area in which one urinates in the men's restroom at the football field. Nasty.

This is all just my opinion however.

How much would a new stadium cost?
How would that be funded ?

I would hope the academic needs of the schools would be taken care of before a new stadium was considered. With Portland at the bottom of that list academically - seems to me they should put their focus on teaching and preparing students for college, rather than providing a better stadium to sit in to watch the football games.