TOLL GATE HIGH SCHOOL, RI
Where the football, soccer, lacrosse, and field hockey field once stood, along with the track and cross-country routes, now sits a massive construction operation to build a new school building. The iconic hill it once stood on has been leveled, replaced with rock piles stacked 40 feet high. Blasting is heard on the daily, every boom one less piece of the land where games were won, memories were made, and skills were honed since 1972. Now, Toll Gate athletes play, run, and practice at new locations all across the city. We asked two Toll Gate athletes on their thoughts about their new home fields.
WILL GOODINE, CROSS COUNTRY
So Will, where are you running these days?
Will: We do workouts at CCRI, we do warmups running laps around their field. For our long runs, we either take a left on the bike path to run towards Coventry, or a right to run towards Cranston. Rarely, we’ll go to Arcadia in West Greenwich and the top runners can run there for a change of scenery and a harder course.
That’s a lot of different spots. Do you miss the convenience of having routes right on campus?
Will: I really do, yes. A lot more running, and mentally more challenging.
Out of these spots, which is your favorite?
Will: My favorite run is probably Arcadia, because we usually get ice cream after.
Next to Nowhere Creamery?
Will: Yes, it’s nice right in the woods.
Very good ice cream there. Thanks Will!
BRAYDON FAGUNDES, SOCCER
So soccer is at Vets now, yes?
Braydon: Yes
How’s the field?
Braydon: The field is a little dug up because football teams are playing there now, both Toll Gate and Pilgrim, so the field is getting really torn up.
It’s a bit of a ride from Toll Gate too
Braydon: Yeah, we also don’t have much of a home advantage or a home crowd
Do you think that’s affected the team’s performance?
Braydon: I think practicing there only 2-3 times a week, and a good amount of away games could affect team performance. Also not having teachers and staff not going to games because of the drive could affect us.
You guys only practice there 2-3 times a week?
Braydon: Yeah, we mostly have two games a week, probably one home one away most of the time.
Do those home games feel like home games still?
Braydon: The home games feel more like an away game, because being at a different school, not being behind our high school affects school spirit. More people tend to go to games after school or at the school, not farther away from the campus.
Thanks for the insight Braydon!
FINAL THOUGHTS
It seems not playing at Toll Gate has affected our athletes. The lack of a home crowd and home advantage, and the logistics of travel have had an impact on players. So, next time you see a student in a Titans jersey, thank them. Because they are making this sacrifice so that the future generations can have better home facilities to play on. Go Titans!
