The rendering shows that there are three opportunities for businesses to advertise on the new scoreboard at McLean High School. Interested businesses can contact Greg Miller, the high school’s director of student activities, by emailing gmmiller@fcps.edu. Photo courtesy of Fairfax County Public Schools.
McLean High School will be getting a new scoreboard for its Stadium Field later this month.
To fund the new $100,000 display, the McLean High School Athletic Boosters contributed $30,000, while Fairfax County Public Schools covered the rest of the cost, according to John Torre, a spokesperson for FCPS.
“They are outdated and rundown,” Greg Miller, the school’s director of student activities, said of the scoreboards back in January. “Truthfully, I hold my breath every Friday night football game hoping the scoreboard will function for four full quarters.”
The high school has been trying to replace its scoreboards, which were installed in 1989, for some time, and thought it had a workable plan back in January.
The boosters secured a commitment from Manassas-based F.H. Furr Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. to make a total contribution of $250,000 over 10 years to McLean High School. In return, the school would get a new scoreboard and the Stadium Field would be named the “The F.H. Furr Sportsplex at Basil Harless Memorial Stadium,” during the 10-year period with the name displayed on the scoreboard.
However, in January, the FCPS Board removed the vote on the agreement from its regular meeting agenda three hours before the meeting and recommended that the administration work to negotiate, execute and administer and accept the deal.
“Postponing the item will allow the board members to have further discussion about the policy going forward,” Sandy Evans, chairperson of the FCPS, said during the January meeting. “We welcome additional input on the naming policy that underpins the proposal as the board continues its discussion on this policy.”
The new scoreboard is unrelated to the FH Furr proposal.
“The proposed agreement with FH Furr did not come before the school board for final action,” Torre said in an email.
Miller was unable to comment on the new deal and the boosters club did not answer inquiries from the Connection.
“The school is currently looking to secure three businesses that will advertise on three available ‘sponsor panels’ on the scoreboard,” Torre said.