The Seattle Seahawks along with the NFL’s Foundation Grassroots Program granted $250,000 to the Highline Public Schools for new synthetic turf in the district’s shared stadium.
Highline Memorial Stadium was well overdue for new turf on the field, and the donation from the Seahawks and the NFL have helped the school district to continue to promote student participation in the athletics programs.
“We are grateful to the NFL Foundation and LISC for this $250,000 grant stretching our capital dollars to replace the aging synthetic field at our stadium and improve safety,” Phil Willenbrock, Highline’s director of athletics, said.
The new field will include permanent lines for football, soccer and girl’s flag football. It will be the first field in the state of Washington to include flag football lines permanently. Highline added flag football to the girl’s athletic programs earlier in 2024. Along with the permanent lines on the field, the donation from the Seahawks will also cover equipment and uniforms for the girl’s team.
Flag football has experienced an incredible rise in popularity in recent years. It is set to become an Olympic sport in 2028, and eight states currently recognize flag football as a varsity sport. There are nearly 2,000 club flag football leagues across the country, and girl’s participation specifically has increased 63% since 2019 according to CBS.
Willenbrock told Westside Seattle, “We fielded teams from three high schools and had a great inaugural year. Our students and community have shown immense joy and appreciation for this expansion of girls athletics.”
Construction on the field is expected to be completed in time for the new school year this fall. Student-athletes from the football, soccer and flag football teams were in attendance for the groundbreaking ceremony, including members of the athletic department staff and two members of the Seahawk’s community engagement team.
