Although Stuyvesant is considered one of the most privileged high schools in the city, many of our athletes can attest to one major disadvantage: the lack of a home field.
Many of the Stuyvesant’s outdoor teams, such as the Peglegs, the boys’ varsity and junior varsity football team, suffer from being located in a city that lacks space for sports fields.
Through the efforts of Assistant Principal Physical Education and Health Martha Singer and Peglegs head coach Brian Sacks, the Peglegs landed Pier 40 as their home field.
According to Singer, many meetings took place between her, Sacks, Pier 40 officials and the commissioner of football representing the Public Schools Athletics League (PSAL), Alan Arbuse, before an agreement took place prior to this year’s spring vacation.
Issues such as locker room usage, security, goal posts and field lining were the major obstacles that prevented Pier 40 from serving as the Peglegs’ home field in the past. “We have been trying for a while, but it was hard to get the pieces together,” said Singer.
In the end, the only concession that Stuyvesant had to make was to pay for the marking of the boundaries of the football field, according to Singer. “I don’t see any downside to it,” she said.
In addition to the benefits a home field will provide for the team, Singer said that this move will help save Pier 40 from being redeveloped. Last fall, Hudson River Park Trust, the organization that operates Pier 40, asked for proposals to redevelop Pier 40. One of those proposals included tearing down the 14-acre pier structure to develop an entertainment complex.
Since the proposal was announced last December, efforts have been made by not only Stuyvesant High School but also by downtown residents and youth sports organizations to rally support against transforming the two-story structure into a performing arts center. A decision has yet to be made by the Hudson River Park Trust regarding the redevelopment of Pier 40.
“We’ve always wanted a home field for any activity. [Pier 40] is good for the community, athletes and children,” said Singer. Sacks believes having Pier 40 as a home field will encourage fans to come watch football games and will also help recruit new players. “We’re hoping that people get interested. Watching the game and being interested will hopefully translate into their participation next year,” said Sacks.
Senior and captain Alex Plamm said, “I can’t really think of any negatives. We’ve wanted this for so long that we can’t see anything bad, no matter what angle we look at it from.”
In the past, very few fans were able to attend games since they were played at locations inconvenient for fans to get to, like Brooklyn Technical High School’s field, where the Peglegs played home games at last season.
Though fan support has often been lacking, it can play a significant role in boosting team morale. “Traveling to other teams’ home fields, they always have a packed house. It’s a true home-field advantage,” said Plamm. “We’d like to have that in more games than just [at] homecoming.” “It really lifts your spirit to have fan support. You play that much harder. No one wants to disappoint the home crowd,” Plamm said.
Dealing with the loss of last year’s senior players, however, has diminished some of the excitement of the new home field. Gone from the team are 20 seniors, including running back and linebacker Aaron Landman (‘07), who scored six touchdowns and rushed for 762 yards last year. The team finished the 2006 season with a 5-5 record.
While nearly half of last year’s 46-member team has left, Sacks is confident the Peglegs are ready to play. “We have players that have been in the program since they were freshmen and are ready to take their positions as starters on the varsity team,” said Sacks.
One of those players ready to start is senior Shafi Alam, who started as quarterback last year, passing for 578 yards and five touchdowns in nine games. He completed 49 out of 95 passes in 2006.
Plamm said, “There were many juniors starting last year. With the experience, we’ve only gotten better. We have better size at the offensive line this year. We have the advantage with familiarity of the offense and defense. We’re starting right where we left off last year, and building from there.”
The Peglegs are preparing for the upcoming season with preseason practices up to six times a week at Pier 40.
The team’s first game will be played against John Adams High School at Pier 40 Friday, September 7 at 6 p.m.