Frequently Asked Questions

Why are private funds being solicited for this Capital Campaign?
After discussions with the Washington County Board of Education, County Commissioners, and the Washington County Delegation to the Maryland General Assembly, the North High Boosters Club, Inc. concluded that if an athletic facility, including a stadium, were to be built at North Hagerstown High School, it would have to be funded privately.
 
Why is a stadium project needed now?
A North High Stadium is needed now because of the present and pressing demands on School Stadium (now used by both North and South Hagerstown High Schools) by Freshman, JV, and Varsity Football, Boys’ and Girls’ JV and Varsity Soccer, Varsity Lacrosse (North) and two school bands. It is impossible to schedule the games of both high schools at one stadium.
 
Why are funds being raised for athletics when additional funds are needed now to build new schools and improve those already in use?
It is precisely because the Board of Education has placed a higher priority on academics and the infrastructure of the school system that they are unable to fund a stadium at North Hagerstown High School. For this reason, alumni, community leaders, interested parents, and concerned citizens have joined with the North High Boosters Club, Inc, to conduct this campaign.
 
Are new programs being considered for the facility to increase the percentage of students participating in organized sports at North Hagerstown High School?
There are no longer enough days available to schedule all the events required for two high schools. Once a facility is built at North Hagerstown High School, there will be opportunities to add additional activities increasing student participation rates and inviting the community to also make use of the facility.
 
What will the role of the school district be in this project?
Dr. Elizabeth M. Morgan has pledged her “full support for the efforts of the North Hagerstown High School Athletic Booster Association stadium committee” and is “endorsing efforts to proceed with current plans of encouraging donations for the stadium.”
 
How will a new stadium benefit the students?
A stadium at North High will benefit every student living in the City of Hagerstown. For 46 years North High and South High have had to share School Stadium. At one time this made sense because there were so few students involved in athletics. Now more than a quarter of the students at both schools participate in 16 different varsity sports and band is extremely popular. Research has shown that students involved in extra-curricular activities perform better academically, have a greater chance of receiving their diplomas and are less likely to be involved in juvenile crime and illicit drug use. A stadium at North High would address a long-standing inequity and would provide the students at North High and South High with the same opportunities as the other students in the state of Maryland.
 
How will a new stadium at North High benefit the community?
A stadium at North High will help fulfill the City of Hagerstown’s strategic plan, “Focus on Quality of Life in Hagerstown”. The stadium and track will provide a facility in which community residents can exercise daily and host band competitions, community league athletic playoffs and other cultural events. The Director of the Western Maryland Hospital Center stated in a letter its intention to “utilize the stadium for patients and residents to enjoy sporting events and add to their enjoyment of life.” Also, the businesses along Pennsylvania Avenue will see an increase in business during home games and will benefit from that exposure.