As spring turns to summer in Sparkill, preparations continue for St. Thomas Aquinas College and the Spartan Sprint Football team. Head Coach Matt Barry is finalizing his coaching staff, equipment and uniforms are being ordered, and facilities are in their final phases of construction.

Once such facility is the team's practice turf, which is located behind the current Spartan Field and just down the road from the main campus. Installation of the artificial turf surface began last Monday and will conclude by the middle of this week with the laying of rubber ballast pellets or infill, which will weigh down the turf and keep it free of movement or wrinkling. New fencing has already been added to surround the field, and football goal posts, along with additional parking spaces will be added in the near future.

When completed, the facility will be ready for use by the Spartan Sprint Football team come mid-August, when Coach Barry, his staff and his inital roster of players come to campus for preseason practices.

"I cannot be more excited for the start of our season" remarked Head Coach Matt Barry. "To see everything coming together in preparation of our first year of competition is a real testament to the hard work and dedication being put forward by the College Administration, Athletic Department Personnel and my coaching staff. Our practice facility will be first class and a place where our players will be able to adequately prepare for their CSFL competition."

The Spartans open their Inaugural 2018 CSFL Season on Saturday, September 15th against Post University at the Torne Valley Sports Complex. Kick-off is scheduled for 6pm.

To keep up with the action all summer long on social media, follow St. Thomas Aquinas College Sprint Football at @STACSprintFB on Twitter or follow along the hashtag #STACdUp on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

For more information on the Collegiate Sprint Football League, click here.