One of the oldest high schools in San Diego will play its second-ever home night game this Friday, Oct. 27, at 7:30 p.m., when top-ranked Hoover comes to Point Loma. The two teams will face off under rented lights, thanks to financial support from David C. Ryan, M.D. and the Ryan Family Foundation.
“I’ve been meaning to get involved and the opportunity came to help the school,” Ryan said. “I went to the night game last year and thought it was neat to see the kids get so excited and I wanted to be a part of that.”
Comprising four generations of Point Loma residents, Ryan said he and the foundation are excited to share the evening with the fans and neighbors. Not only did Ryan graduate from PLHS in 1977, but he also graduated from Point Loma Nazarene University in 1982 before medical school and has run his family practice on Jarvis and Rosecrans for 14 years.
“He has a very strong attachment to the community, and he wants to give back,” said PLHS Football Boosters secretary Vickie Kerley Sabol. “It’s a close knit community and this is a time when alumni come back to the school for a reunion.”
When PLHS was built 80 years ago, stadiums didn’t have lights, and as the neighborhood grew up around the stadium, it became harder to add them in because of the space limitations and accompanying noise. Today, most high schools across the country play football on Friday nights, which is why the PLHS Football Boosters wanted to make this year’s Homecoming special.
“We’re really psyched up to play under the lights “” it’s a big game,” said senior wide receiver/defensive back Drew Callejon. “They’re tough so we gotta’ be ready to play from the get-go.”
The afternoon kicks off when the freshman team takes the field at 2:30 p.m., followed by the junior varsity at 5 p.m. In addition to the halftime parade with class floats, visiting alumni will be treated to tours of the school and a barbeque dinner provided by the Bar-B-Que House, 5025 Newport Ave., with RSVP. If alums have not signed up for dinner, they are still welcome to come and meet old friends at the basketball court.
“We look forward to playing under the lights here against Hoover and winning our Homecoming game,” said sophomore running back Matt Arlington.
Tickets are $10 at the gate, with limited seating, so come early to stake out your cheering section.
For more information about the PLHS football boosters, email [email protected].
For more on the PLHS Foundation and Alumni Association, visit www.PLHSfaa.com.