The past merges with the present as Italy’s athletic director and head football coach, Hank Hollywood, members of his coaching staff and the Italy ISD maintenance crew begin renovating the Jimmy Davis Memorial Fieldhouse.

In an effort to expand the interior to make room for refurbished metal lockers Hollywood acquired from the Red Oak school district, his former coaching gig, the freshly painted lockers will replace wooden lockers that were a source of potential staff infections.

Remodeling the weight room area is a priority, as well, which will add much needed operating space around the current weight stations and allow room for additional equipment. Garage doors will be added to increase air flow for a more comfortable workout environment along with a bathroom to accommodate visiting fans and teams to Willis Field.

The stadium bleachers will be receiving an upgrade later in the summer from wood to metal seating. Additional stands have been added to the ballfields already. Coach Hollywood’s current plan is to have the home fans enter thru the gates across from the Italy Gladiator Coliseum dome and for the visitors to park behind the field house with access to their own bathrooms and concession stand.

“Visiting teams will dress in the weight room and remain on the visiting side of the stadium while our fans and players remain on the home side. This will keep players safer and help separate opposing fans,” explained Coach Hollywood who was involved in an incident where fans poured coffee on him and his teammates back when he was a player in Celina.

Things are certainly changing on the IHS campus both inside the school and out so join the fun and be a part of what is shaping up to be an exciting 2012-2013 school year!

Go Italy!