Hocking College is stepping into the spotlight with an exciting new endeavor—the creation of a football field. Although football has been a charter sport for Hocking College since 2016, all its home games were played at a local high school. In the spring of this year, Hocking College made the decision to invest in a field to bring football to its beautiful campus in Nelsonville.
The college started on the football field in the spring with hopes of its completion for the home opener on Saturday, September 23.
Led by the efforts of the college's grounds crew, alongside the guidance of first-year head coach Craig Moore, the establishment of the football field has taken center stage. Located just across Hocking Parkway from the main campus, the field will have a natural grass surface, making it an authentic football experience for both players and spectators. While the field will not have lights, a strategic choice has been made to schedule all football games on Saturday afternoons. The initial focus of the field will be solely on hosting home football games, with no practices or additional events planned within its bounds.
Temporary bleachers will be brought in for the current year, allowing fans to comfortably support their home team Hawks. Tents will also be set up alongside the field, offering an array of concessions, merchandise, and alumni gatherings. In addition, the Hocking College Food Truck is primed to make its presence felt, ensuring that no one goes hungry during the games.
Further campus development can be anticipated as the Hocking Football Stadium is built. Following the successful completion of this project, the college has its sights set on introducing a softball field in early September. Looking further ahead, the college intends to unveil a baseball field in either the fall of 2024 or the spring of 2025, cementing its commitment to providing a comprehensive sporting experience for its students and the Nelsonville community.
“This is so exciting for Hocking College; the students, student-athletes, faculty, staff, parents and families, alumni, and local businesses to have football on our campus in the fall,” said Director of Athletics Brian Teter, who just joined Hocking College in late May. “We want to create a great experience for our young people and any student or supporter who comes to our campus. Bringing outdoor sports to campus adds another unique trait to a place like Hocking College.”
Hocking College invites community members, alumni, and friends to participate in this remarkable initiative and support the college in creating a lasting impact on the future of sports and education in the area.
