Darlington High opens new football home

DARLINGTON — The Darlington High School football team can’t wait to to play at its new stadium.

And the rest of the community can’t wait to see it.

The football team, as well as school and public officials and more than 200 fans attended at a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday at Darlington High School Stadium.

“It’s exciting,” Darlington coach Justin Danner said. “Any time you can get the community out a couple days before a game to show their excitement for the season and new stadium, I think it is a big to-do.”

And with the threat of Tropical Storm Hanna projected to become a hurricane and head toward the Carolinas, the Falcons will get to play a day earlier. Darlington’s game against McBee has been moved up from Friday to Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

The $2.6 million stadium, which can hold between 3,500- 4,500 fans, is located behind the school and features a 40-foot-long press box, a new sound system and a 25-foot computerized scoreboard. The scoreboard will feature advertisements from local businesses and sponsors during the game.

“We are absolutely hoping the stadium could be a catalyst to bring the community together,” said Darlington athletic director Rick Drawdy, who expects to see attendance increase at games because of the new stadium. “We wanted a venue that everyone could be proud about.”

Drawdy said money for the stadium came from school district, area businesses and from the school’s booster club.

“It’s been a combination of everybody working together,” he said. “Everybody has had a hand in to make sure it is done right.”

The new stadium has been a hit so far with the Darlington players, who will practice in it today for the first time.

“We are the first group of seniors to get to play in the new stadium. It’s very exciting,” senior Denzel Woodham said. “We had a lot of old memories in the last stadium but we are just looking forward to the future.”

Darlington played at Welch Stadium since 1927, but a new facility was needed especially after last season, when the Falcons’ side of the stadium was condemned.

The team played its home games with only one side open and portable bleachers were brought in.

“We wanted to upgrade the facilities but the way things were last year we kind of had to phase it in early,” Drawdy said.

The new stadium is just the latest new sports complex for a Darlington County area high school. Lamar High School added a gymnasium and a paved track is in the works.

Hartsville’s Kelleytown Stadium has undergone more than $600,000 in renovations, including new bleachers on both sides, concession stands, goalposts and a scoreboard.

More improvements are on the way, including a new press box on the home side of the stadium.

“The kids in Darlington, Lamar and Hartsville all work hard and deserve first-class facilities,” Hartsville football coach Jeff Calabrese said. “There is a commitment from Darlington County to keep progressing and give these kids great places to play in and to showcase their communities.”