South Fayette gives youth football team a second chance at stadium

South Fayette School District recently rescinded its decision to forbid Oakdale Raiders from using South Fayette Stadium for its youth football games.
After being suspended from using the high school’s field by the district last month, the first-year youth football organization will be permitted to use the field moving forward and were given a list of recommendations to follow by the district.
Javon Hines, president of the Oakdale Raiders, addressed the district and the school board during its meeting Sept. 19.
“We want to thank you for giving us the opportunity to be able to come back and play our remaining games here at South Fayette Stadium,” Hines said. “We appreciate and understand the responsibility to you and the South Fayette School District to maintain the quality of the facilities, and we are privileged to use them.”
Hines then listed some of the “stipulations” given to the youth sports organization in order to use the facility moving forward. He said the organization would follow the recommendation to pay “additional clean-up fees” to show the organization’s “100 percent commitment to (the district’s) standards both because we value our partnership with (the district) and our organization.”
The Oakdale Youth Sports Association will also comply by having an ambulance and a security guard working for its home games, Hines said.
One of the stipulations was too much for the organization to “absorb” financially, however, as the district recommended the league pay for two South Fayette police officers to be at the facility on game days.
“As a compromise, we proactively met with the local police department to determine the cost associated with this requirement to obtain additional advice,” Hines said.
Upon their discussions, their learned those expenses of around $1,200-1,300 would be in addition to the retainer, as well as our reimbursement for cleaning.
“The police, in our discussion, actually advised that the security guard would be appropriate. … I propose that we be able to use the security guard to minimize the expense to our new nonprofit to allow our kids to simply play ball.”
Robert Owen, a parent of a child in the organization, also spoke during the meeting, thanking the district for giving Oakdale a “second chance” and backing Hines’ proposal.
“I believe in these guys, and everything they’re teaching these kids about football, sportsmanship and competing is what any parent would hope for,” Owen said. “I know my wife feels the same way. All the parents I’ve spoken to feel the same way.”