• Photo courtesy of Ira Childress.

OKEMOS - Gone are the days of mud slides and rain delays because Okemos High School is installing a synthetic turf field.

The field is funded by a private donor in what is said to be Okemos High School Athletic Department's largest donation in history. The turf field is set to be installed this fall in time for the varsity football team's home opening game on September 21. Okemos Athletic Director Ira Childress is grateful for this donation.

"This new turf field is a game changer for our athletic department," Childress said. "We are very appreciative of the donor's generosity which made this field a possibility."

In addition to the installation of the turf field, which will host football, soccer and lacrosse tournament games, Okemos Athletics teamed up with Michigan State University basketball alumni and former pro basketball player Andre Hutson to offer new and improved strength and conditioning training services to student athletes. Hutson, whose company Velocity Sports Performance will provide the training services, is excited to work with student athletes and the athletic department at Okemos High School.

“I believe the community of Okemos represents excellence as a whole and I feel very confident that our training methods will meet and exceed all expectations," Hutson said. "As a former collegiate and professional athlete, I understand the importance of sports performance training at all levels."

The training sessions will be led by Velocity Sports Performance Director Jason Ralya, who was the USA Olympic Weight Lifting Coach and has more than six years of coaching experience under his belt.

Childress is excited to debut the synthetic turf field at Okemos High School and he is eager to work with Hutson and Velocity Sports Performance.

"This makes Okemos High School a great venue in a central location with what I believe is the largest stadium with synthetic turf in Mid-Michigan," Childress said. "We are excited to team up with Andre and such a great program like Velocity. With a dynamic trainer like Jason leading the way, who specializes in both performance training and injury prevention, I believe this experience for our student-athletes will be unprecedented."