Lights In Ellington
Dear Friends of Ellington Football and all other Ellington sports,
The Ellington/Somers Knights football team has made tremendous strides in the past few seasons. Each year now Ellington is looked at, as a threat to win the Division title and this season is no different. The Knights will again be a force to be recognized in the Pequot Division. Unfortunately with success comes complications. As the Knights hosted their first night playoff game in the fall of 2011, the CIAC (CONNECTICUT INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC CONFERENCE) was in the process of changing its policies.
The CIAC has ruled that playoff games may no longer be played under temporary lighting. The Home Playoff game in 2011 was just such a game. Temporary lights were brought in and the game was played in front of a very large crowd in spite of a driving rain. The spirit of Knights football was clearly evident that evening. As the fans filed out and the lights were turned off, the booster club made a vow that some how and someway the lights, permanent lights would again be witness to Knights football home games. This was said knowing the goal was lofty and the path uncharted. Just as it was when the Boosters vowed to have a football team so many years ago.
Currently feverish efforts are underway to obtain financing for lights. Times are hard and when you need $100,000 they seem even harder. But the Boosters are determined to find a way to accomplish this task. Not just to benefit football, which it will, but to give lacrosse and soccer the chance to experience one of the traditions of High School sports,night games. So now we begin the work of making a good idea a reality.
IN THE COMING MONTHS YOU WILL SEE NOTICES OF THIS ISSUE AS AN AGENDA ITEM with the Board of Education and the Town Council. If you think these lights are a good idea , when speaking with these board members, express your support. We are beginning the daunting task of raising the needed funding, various events will be put on to begin this process. In this effort we will also need your help. We will also seek corporate assistance. In the event an individual is in a position to help we would gladly accept any such offer. This is a big job. The Booster club is short in numbers but long in desire to improve this situation. We look forward to this process and we look forward to kick off on that first game under the lights.
This upcoming season offers the chance for the Knights to defend their conference title and this year we host the annual Thanksgiving Day game V Coventry. The knights will try to make It three straight against Coventry and to retain the Thanksgiving Day Classic trophy. Naturally the Boosters will be active in making game days exciting and we look forward to another great year of football. Please come out to support the team and look for efforts to turn on the lights.
AS ALWAYS- Thanks for supporting Knights Football.
