Highland Community College Names Softball Coaches for the 2021-22 Season
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Highland Celebrates New Football Practice Fields
published August 9, 2017Highland Celebrates New Football Practice Fields
August 1st marks the first official start date for fall sports across the NJCAA. This year, not only does it mark the first day of football practice, but the first day on the new football practice facility at Highland Community College. Tuesday morning, College employees, student-athletes, coaches, and community members gathered at the new practice facility for a ceremonial ribbon cutting. Highland Director of Athletics, Tyler Nordman, and head Football Coach Aaron Arnold, both spoke at the ceremony.
"Practice is the most important piece of our football program, the ability to come out every day and get better. This new practice facility helps us take a step forward from being a middle of the pack program to a championship program," mentioned Arnold.
Scottie supporter and community member Rocky Ruhnke cut the ribbon at the ceremony. Ruhnke took lead of the project and played a big part in finding volunteers and equipment to get the project done.
"After moving back to Highland and attending a couple Scottie football games, I was hooked," said Ruhnke. "To see that this program is developing into a premier Jayhawk Conference program and to be able to feel like a part of that is very rewarding. After learning about the need for a new practice facility, I decided to take action and lend a hand and construction expertise to see this idea become a reality. After designing the site, I asked for the help of area farmers and their dirt moving equipment. We were able to get the area roughed in for Derek Luedke and Leudke Excavating and their GPS equipment to finish this project. Luedke was able to use machine files of the design to build this facility how it was designed and in a timely manner."
Other community members who helped by donating equipment and time were; Jim Ruhnke, Scott Twombly, Jason Tayor, Emmett Cole, John Gladhart, Maurice Kleppe, David Keys, Brad Haynes, Eric Cole, Justin Tilton, Shawn Tilton, and Rodger Vanderslice.
"We couldn't have done this without the help and support of the community members that donated their time and equipment. The fact that everyone came together to help with the project goes to show the amount of support we have from our community, and that is special," commented Nordman.
