Lewis Falcons Host First Football Game – Thanks To Facility Upgrade on Campus

Christopher Saul
September 3, 2024
9:36 pm
Schools and Education, Sports, Valparaiso

In Brief:

The Lewis School in Valparaiso hosted its first-ever home football game at a newly equipped field, made possible by a significant upgrade to a field across the street from the school on Mississippi Avenue.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony featured speeches from community leaders, highlighting the importance of extracurricular activities in education.
The event marked a significant achievement for the school’s athletic program and the broader community.

The Lewis School in Valparaiso hosted its first home football game ever at the field across the street from the school on Mississippi Avenue, thanks to upgrades paid for with capital fund money.

Niceville-Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce President Tricia Brunson. “Never, ever, ever, let anyone tell you that extracurricular activities are not important for some students,” Brunson said. She thanked everyone “who donated or bought one product in Okaloosa County, because you helped fund this stadium.”

An earlier version of this story noted that the money to pay for this improvement came from half-cent sales tax dollars. Okaloosa County Schools has since informed us it came from capital dollars. We regret the error.

Superintendent Marcus Chambers said upgrades like these are critical in his view to making the educational a holisitic one that produces well-rounded men and women. “It’s all about the students, and that’s something that I think is special – when you see all the dollars at work to make these facilities even better.”

Roughly 500 people were on hand to celebrate the ribbon cutting for the new bleachers that grace the field and make it possible for fans to sit and watch the Lewis Falcons play ball. Lewis School Principal Nathaniel Chatman and Okaloosa Schools Superintendent Marcus Chambers christened the field with red ribbon and scissors before the Lewis Falcons and Freeport Bulldogs took to the field.

The game would end in an 18-0 defeat for the Falcons when the game was called at halftime for lightning.

Niceville Assistant Coach Adron Robinson won three county titles with the Falcons in the 80s before going on to win a state championship with the Niceville Eagle Team in 1988. He says this is a special moment for him. “Something like this important to our community. Is very important these guys, these these young kids at Lewis now they have a true home some a home field advantage,” Robinson said.

Lewis School Athletic Director Liz Berry has watched this project come to fruition since she started at Lewis five years ago. A Niceville High School alumnae, she’s thrilled about what this means for sports in the Boggy Bayou area.

According to Okaloosa County Schools Public Information Officer Catherine Card, the total cost of the upgrade to the facility from capital fund dollars was $477,357.