Long-Awaited New Ridge High School Varsity Field Unveiled

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Bernards Township school leaders, board members and students gathered Monday for the grand opening of Ridge High School's long-awaited new varsity field.

The Red Devil Week event was held before the school’s Unified Soccer game against Mount Olive High School.

Athletic Director Michael Mancino described the project as more than a field alone.

"Welcome to a brand new, an exciting varsity field complex. I call it because it's not just the field, but it's everything else that was done to make this such a special place," Mancino said.

He thanked students, student-athletes, cheerleaders, the marching band and the unified soccer team, along with coaches and trainers who adjusted during construction.

Mancino said teams made sacrifices in the spring and fall while practices were moved wherever space was available.

He also thanked building and grounds staff by name, including Bill Mickley, Sasha Heinz and Carlos Benitez, for their work on the project.

Superintendent Kristen Fox said she was celebrating a project that had been carried forward by others, and credited former superintendent Nick Markarian for closely monitoring the work.

"Every single day throughout the spring and the summer, he walked down to the field to check on the project, making sure that the contractors were on top of things and that healthy protocol was being followed," Fox said.

She also said Jim Rollo and Mickley "deserve tremendous credit for their hard work, expertise, and follow-through."

Fox thanked the Board of Education and Bernards Township Mayor Ana Duarte McCarthy for their support.

"Our student athletes are already enjoying it, and we look forward to many seasons of teamwork, competition, and school pride here," Fox said.

Board of Education President Jennifer White said the field had been discussed for years.

"I feel like we've been talking about this very field for possibly as long as I've been on the board, which is nine years, and to see it finally come to fruition is really, really wonderful," White said.

She said the timing of the ribbon cutting before a unified game made the event especially meaningful.

Principal Cheryl Howarth called the field "a symbol of unity" and said it reflected community support across Bernards Township.

She thanked former principal Dr. Russ Lazovick, school administrators and Mancino for their roles in planning, safety and implementation during construction.

Before the ribbon cutting, Mancino also thanked Bernards Township police, first responders and township officials for helping the school navigate safety and parking issues during the spring and early fall.

The ceremony concluded with a ribbon cutting before the unified soccer game began.

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