News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
A grant awarded to Putnam County intended to expand the county’s soccer complex may help bring lacrosse to the area as well.
State Representative Ryan Williams said a new multi-use field can help bring one of America’s fastest growing sports to the Upper Cumberland.
“Currently we don’t have a field in Putnam County that’s dedicated for just lacrosse,” Williams said. “People might see lacrosse goals at the roundabout at [Cookeville] High School… It’s a very crowned field. It’s not even made for lacrosse, it’s mainly just a big, grassy knoll.”
Williams said the project will help continue the national growth of lacrosse.
“There are many institutions in NCAA and NAIA who are getting rid of their soccer programs and putting in lacrosse programs because it is growing so fast,” Williams said. “The lacrosse teams here… have really come on in the last decade mainly because it’s giving kids in the spring an opportunity to play a different sport other than baseball or soccer.”
Williams said once completed, the expanded sports complex could be a hub in the state for both lacrosse and soccer.
“If you don’t make investments into these things, then it’s not really an opportunity for it to flourish,” Williams said. “Much like TSSAA’s football tournament has become such a staple here in our community, this gives an opportunity for lacrosse and soccer to do the same.”
Tennessee state and local officials helped present a check at the sports complex during a special ceremony Thursday. The match-grant totals $667,000 between state and county contributions.
