CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A joy rider took a bold step in Charleston late Saturday night or early Sunday morning when they drove a vehicle onto the playing surface at Steve Edwards Senior Field at George Washington High School. The incident caused significant damage to the grass surface of the field.
“It tore up the grass turf in several areas, but I think it’s going to be able to be fixed,” said George Washington High School Athletic Director Shawn Wheeler. “I haven’t gotten an official cost yet. We’ve got some sod people coming to look at it.”
Wheeler said the vehicle’s tires cut several ruts into the playing surface with will have to be repaired. Meanwhile, they’re hoping to find the culprits and have video surveillance to use.
“Charleston Police are looking at the video,” said Wheeler. “They came up to do some investigation.”
The fields was largely built by volunteer support. Wheeler said it’s irritating to everybody involved.
“It’s sad somebody would come up and do that,” he said. “You get the feeling it might be somebody from the community or knows the school well to be able to get into the field area like that.”
There will be some time to make repairs. George Washington’s varsity squad doesn’t have a home football game until week four in September. The damage may impact some junior varsity games at the school.