Congratulations to St. Rose High School for being selected as a winner of the 2022 Fields of Excellence Award for their Baseball, Varsity Soccer/Lacrosse, and Field Hockey/Girls Lacrosse Fields. It's impressive to see Mr. Mark Fletcher's dedication and hard work in maintaining and caring for the athletic complex over the last 25 years, which has earned the complex the distinguished Fields of Excellence Award for the past nine years in a row. His expertise, dedication, and talents truly make him the unsung hero and the undefeated MVP, setting the scene for every goal and every home run. It's great to see Pioneer Athletics honoring outstanding athletic fields and the hardworking field crews who diligently maintain them through the Fields of Excellence Award Program.
The story of St. Rose High School's Fields of Excellence is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the school's staff, students, and community. From the initial donation of the land by Edward I. Brown to the tireless efforts of Mark Fletcher and his team, the athletic complex at St. Rose has become a shining example of what can be achieved with commitment and perseverance.
For more than two decades, Mr. Fletcher has worked tirelessly to create and maintain fields that are not only beautiful but also safe and functional for athletes of all levels. His expertise in the field of athletic field maintenance has led to the complex receiving the prestigious Fields of Excellence Award for nine consecutive years. This recognition is a testament to his hard work and dedication, as well as the efforts of the entire St. Rose community.
But the success of the athletic complex at St. Rose goes beyond just the fields themselves. The fields serve as a hub for the school and the surrounding community, providing a space for athletes to compete and for fans to gather and cheer on their teams. The fields also help to foster a sense of pride and community spirit among the students and staff, as well as the wider community.
In addition, the story of the St. Rose athletic complex is a reminder of the importance of giving back. Edward I. Brown's donation of the land to the school was a selfless act that has had a lasting impact on the school and its students. And Mark Fletcher's willingness to donate his time and expertise to care for the Little League fields in town while he was a student at St. Rose is a testament to the power of community service and the impact it can have on a person's life.
Overall, the Fields of Excellence Award serves as a reminder of the importance of hard work, dedication, and community spirit. It is a celebration of those who rise to the challenge, year after year, to create exceptional fields of play that serve as a backdrop to the stories of triumph and achievement that take place on them. And it is a reminder that, with the right combination of talent, dedication, and community support, anything is possible.
These award winning fields are widely considered the nicest natural grass fields in the area. Fletcher Fields is a 40 acre complex (29 acres developed) consisting of 9 award winning fields in soccer, field hockey, cross country course, lacrosse, baseball, and softball.
Cross Country
Boys Soccer
Girls Soccer
Field Hockey
Boys Lacrosse
Girls Lacrosse
Softball
Baseball
The complex was donated to St. Rose High School by Edward I. Brown and the Brown Family to St. Rose High School in 1990.
Almost a century ago, Edward I. Brown bought a 40-acre tract here in Monmouth County, a onetime gravel pit along the northern fringe of the Pine Barrens.
With a Piper J-3, he started Brown's Flying Service, offering flying lessons and scenic rides over the Atlantic, 4 1/2 miles to the east.
''I borrowed an old Army tank from the American Legion,'' Mr. Brown recalled, ''and me and some high school boys cleared the first runway. It was just 500 feet long.''
That land became the future site of Allaire Airport, which until the family sold it was the country's largest privately owned airport.
In 1990, Edward I Brown donated 40 acres to St. Rose High School and was also the commencement speaker at the Class of 1990's graduation. One of the graduates that day was Mr. Mark Fletcher '90, who remembers listening to Mr. Brown speak and the vision of what could come of the land in Wall for his alma mater.
Mr. Fletcher comes from a family with green thumbs. His uncle was a greenskeeper in Ireland and his mother, aunts, and uncle grew up on golf courses. Mr. Fletcher was born for this and credits his family for his green thumb. During his four years as a student at St. Rose Mr. Fletcher donated his time to care for the Little League fields in town in exchange for St. Rose being able to use those fields for their athletic program. But after going to college and starting a career in marketing, St. Rose High School was blessed with Mr. Fletcher's return to the area where he joined our staff and split his time between teaching history and developing, maintaining, and caring for the athletic complex since the late 90s.
Over the last 25 years, Mr. Fletcher has built the baseball field, the track, and all the other fields after the complex opened with soccer.
Mr. Fletcher's dedication, talents, and expertise has earned our athletic complex the distinguished Fields of Excellence Award for the past eight years in a row. To some it may just look like a patch of grass or a pile of dirt. But to Mr. Fletcher, it's the backdrop to the story he's helping St. Rose High School tell. We commend him for solely rising to the challenge, year after year, to produce exceptional fields of play.
He is our unsung hero, the undefeated MVP. Day and night, he stands (or rides the mower) triumphant in the face of adversity. With the lights low and the bleachers emptied, they keep working, never relenting.
Setting the scene for every goal and every home run. Fields that set the stage for excellence and we are honored to receive the Fields of Excellence awards.
In 2020, Mr. Fletcher was awarded the St. Joseph the Worker Award, voted on by his colleagues and chosen for his hard work and dedication to St. Rose High School.
On October 8, 2022, the Athletics Club with the blessing from Monsignor Edward Arnister officially renamed the athletics complex as Fletcher Fields in honor of Mr. Fletcher's dedication to our fields and grounds. We are extremely proud of his dedication and pride in making the fields so beautiful. It happens because of his efforts. According to Pioneer Athletics:
"A Field of Excellence happens when the efforts of a talented crew, a well-maintained surface, and the best in paint, equipment and accessories all come together -- just like a great masterpiece comes from the partnership between an artist, canvas and paint."
The Power of Potential
Listen/watch season 1 episode 1 of the Power of Potential podcast where Mr. Fletcher shares his memory of the origins of the athletic complex, from the moment Mr. Brown spoke at his graduation to the donation and development of the land, and the amount of work it takes today to maintain the fields worthy of winning the Fields of Excellence award 8 years in a row.
The MAAC is one of the most traditional and legendary gymnasiums in the Shore Conference. Walking into the banner laden court makes one appreciate the great tradition of St. Rose athletics. It has recently gone through some amazing upgrades, and is a wonderful place to watch any sporting event.
Mr. Fletcher comes from a family with green thumbs. His uncle was a greenskeeper in Ireland and his mother, aunts, and uncle grew up on golf courses. Mr. Fletcher was born for this and credits his family for his green thumb. During his four years as a student at St. Rose Mr. Fletcher donated his time to care for the Little League fields in town in exchange for St. Rose being able to use those fields for their athletic program. But after going to college and starting a career in marketing, St. Rose High School was blessed with Mr. Fletcher's return to the area where he joined our staff and split his time between teaching history and developing, maintaining, and caring for the athletic complex since the late 90s.
Over the last 25 years, Mr. Fletcher has built the baseball field, the track, and all the other fields after the complex opened with soccer.
Mr. Fletcher's dedication, talents, and expertise has earned our athletic complex the distinguished Fields of Excellence Award for the past eight years in a row. To some it may just look like a patch of grass or a pile of dirt. But to Mr. Fletcher, it's the backdrop to the story he's helping St. Rose High School tell. We commend him for solely rising to the challenge, year after year, to produce exceptional fields of play.
He is our unsung hero, the undefeated MVP. Day and night, he stands (or rides the mower) triumphant in the face of adversity. With the lights low and the bleachers emptied, they keep working, never relenting.
Setting the scene for every goal and every home run. Fields that set the stage for excellence and we are honored to receive the Fields of Excellence awards.
In 2020, Mr. Fletcher was awarded the St. Joseph the Worker Award, voted on by his colleagues and chosen for his hard work and dedication to St. Rose High School.
On October 8, 2022, the Athletics Club with the blessing from Monsignor Edward Arnister officially renamed the athletics complex as Fletcher Fields in honor of Mr. Fletcher's dedication to our fields and grounds
We are extremely proud of his dedication and pride in making the fields so beautiful. It happens because of his efforts. According to Pioneer Athletics,
”A Field of Excellence happens when the efforts of a talented crew, a well-maintained surface, and the best in paint, equipment and accessories all come together -- just like a great masterpiece comes from the partnership between an artist, canvas and paint."
Listen/watch season 1 episode 1 of the Power of Potential podcast where Mr. Fletcher shares his memory of the origins of the athletic complex, from the moment Mr. Brown spoke at his graduation to the donation and development of the land, and the amount of work it takes today to maintain the fields worthy of winning the Fields of Excellence award 8 years in a row.
Off Campus Facilities
Marucci Park
Marruci Park is a great little court set in the beautiful town of Spring Lake. In the fall for the girls, and spring for the boys, our team gets to play in this great setting each match.
Jersey Shore Arena
Need something to do on a Friday night in the winter? Come to the Jersey Shore Arena and watch our Frozen Roses compete. Located in Wall, this facility holds many Shore Conference teams and we have the privilege to be one of them.
Spring Lake Golf Club
Spring Lake Golf Club speaks for itself. Our golf team has an excellent tradition of success and the privilege of playing their matches on this meticulous course.