Ridgewood, New Jersey – The Ridgewood High School football and soccer teams will not host any home games this fall after recent flooding compromised the safety of both the main stadium field and a secondary practice field. The damage caused the turf to fail a required safety test, meaning it no longer provides adequate shock absorption for athletes.
Flooding undermines field safety
Superintendent Dr. Mark Schwarz explained that standing water brings debris and silt onto the playing surfaces. Over time, the silt hardens, reducing the field’s ability to cushion impacts. “When the flood waters come, they wash onto the fields and bring debris and silt with them. Over time, the silt deposits and it hardens,” Schwarz said.
Impact on student‑athletes
For seniors like nose guard Thomas Bryan, the loss of a home‑field advantage feels especially disappointing. “Definitely energetic, it’s such a great vibe, we’re all excited, the band is playing, the cheer team is there, the stadium is packed, it’s a lot of fun,” Bryan recalled. He added that the team will carry that energy wherever they play this season.
Sophomore midfielder Nico Schilt expressed similar sadness: “Playing soccer is a key part of high school life, it makes me sad.” Upperclassman Max Abdrobo noted the practical setbacks, saying, “We’re not allowed to play on it anymore and there’s also flooding all the time, so it stops us from training.”
Financial and logistical hurdles
Repairing the fields is estimated to cost more than $1 million. While neighboring schools have offered their facilities, Dr. Schwarz warned that sharing venues creates logistical challenges for scheduling practices and games. “The most devastating for our athletes is they’re not going to be able to have that home game experience at Stadium Field in front of the high school, which is such an iconic experience,” he said.
Ridgewood Village Manager Keith Kazmark pledged continued support, stating, “The Village will continue to work closely with school officials to support and accommodate our many student athletes during this challenging situation.”
Looking ahead
Despite the setback, coaches and players remain determined to finish the season. Bryan emphasized resilience: “It definitely impacted us, it stinks that we had that, but we have to move on. We understand it’s happening, but we can’t let it ruin our season; we have to keep going.”
The district is exploring temporary solutions, including transporting teams to nearby fields for practices and games while the repair plan is finalized. Community members have been encouraged to attend any relocated matches to preserve the Friday‑night tradition that defines Ridgewood’s high‑school spirit.
As the school works to restore safe playing conditions, the situation underscores the broader challenges that extreme weather poses to local infrastructure and extracurricular programs. Residents hope that prompt action and community cooperation will return the beloved Friday‑night lights to Ridgewood’s stadium as soon as possible.
Original reporting: Brookhaven News – ABC7 New York — read the source article.
