Ravens Football fielding their options for upgrades

by Sean Fitzpatrick and Andrew Hoenig

Big changes could be coming Sodexho Field’s way (Photo: Athletics.franklinpierce.edu)

The Ravens Football program is starting a new chapter in 2018 and it stems from changing the identity of the team.

There is talk of significant upgrades for the Ravens including some on-field conditions that might be key decisions to promoting the team’s future.

“We’re supposedly getting a new field,” said Zach Masiello who is currently a sophomore transfer from UMaine who played defensive line.

The rumor of a possible new field has been spread among students and athletes on the team, but there has been no official announcement coming from President Kim Mooney or the Athletics Department on any such project.

It appears that this is just a rumor as the Athletics Director Rachel Burleson said in an e-mail interview,”This is not true. Sodexo Field is, and will remain, the home of Men’s and Women’s Soccer, Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse, Field Hockey, as well as Football. We currently sponsor football, Sprint Football, and the field requirements will not change with the transition to DII.”

The Ravens are also planning on unveiling a new look next season with a full-on uniform color scheme change.

The new uniforms will include matte black helmets and gray uniforms with numbers outlined by the school’s red maroon colors.

There have also been rumors about changing the field colors to match the football team’s uniform.

This was refuted by Burleson, as well.

“I believe there is something to be said for being different and leaving a mark. Different color of turf fields are making statements at colleges on all levels. Brand enhancement is something that we have been really focusing on,” Burleson said. “We have made great strides in my short time here to build our brand, our game environment, and engagement. However, as for the possibility of grey and maroon turf, we are nowhere close to this step in the process.”

New uniform concept for the 2018 Ravens football team. The new uniforms will be revealed during their first home game vs Navy this September (Photo: Andrew Hoenig)

Another rumor was that of a locker room being provided for what should be a team of 60 players next season.

Burleson said, “We do not currently have adequate space for many of our sport programs. I would love to have space for our student-athletes to gather as a team in their own spaces, however, that is something that will take some time to work towards.

Sophomore linebacker Mitchell Lutz said, “I think that things such as new uniforms and a new field would be a great thing to help draw more fans, because it makes the team look more official and then starts to build a good reputation from there.”

Head coach Rashad Watson’s only comment was that he was “unable to offer up on any possible updates on potential changes at this time.”

“I think that all changes that have been made have been positive thus far, and I’m excited for any future changes,” said Lutz.

The transition has already begun with a 39-commit class having been announced in early March.

Next season will be the football team’s last season in the College Sprint Football League as the school has already announced it will be transitioning to joining the ranks of Division II.