Hawks Soccer Prez Calls Veterans Field a 'Health Hazard'

The soccer pitches at are "deplorable," "embarrassing," and a "health hazard," according to Hopatcong Hawks youth soccer program President Mike Turnage.

So Turnage asked the recreation commission at Tuesday night's meeting at for financial support in fixing the field for next year.

"I'm just asking for any help at this point," said Turnage, who added that the program was out of funds.

The commission didn't give the program any money Tuesday night. But it didn't rule it out, either.

Commission members Danette Swanson and Willa Scantlebury said it might be difficult to put money toward just Veterans Field.

Said Scantlebury: "It all boils down, once again, to budget. If we had a lot more money, our fields would be a lot nicer. But they're not because we don't."

Said Swanson: "I would like to help out all the fields. But we have to find out financially and say, 'A little can go to this field, a little could go to that field.'"

Turnage said he found rocks and glass in the top soil dumped on the field last year.  He also said league officials, referees and opposing teams have complained all season about the field conditions.

"My goalie, no matter how hot it is, he's wearing long sleeves and pants," Turnage said.

Commission member Sal Guglielmello said he inspected the fields with Turnage and agreed with his assessment. Gugliemello said the borough's Department of Public Works dumped the top soil onto the fields, and Hawks volunteers helped distribute it.

"I think it needs to be a little more professionally done," Gugliemello said, later adding: "Not by just a bunch of guys and girls with good intentions."

Turnage said Squire Field—the only other soccer field the borough owns—would be too small to host the entire Hawks program.

"We don't, as far as I'm aware, have any home other than [Veterans Field]," Turnage said.