About Coach Crater
We are honored that the new on-campus athletic facility serving RJR and Wiley will be named the M. Douglas Crater Field & Stadium. Here’s how RJR alum Greg Cox described Coach Crater during the Board of Education meeting to vote on the facility name.
70 years ago, Doug Crater graduated from Reynolds High School where he played all sports and was the co-captain of the football team where he was recognized as an All City-County performer. He served four years in the US Navy and received a BS and MA degree from Appalachian State University where he received a football and academic scholarship. Doug returned home to RJR and spent 36 years doing what he loved: teaching and coaching. His wife Sandy taught in the WSFCS system and his children, Tim and Jennifer, graduated from Reynolds. Coach Crater impacted the lives of many, including myself. I wholeheartedly support the naming of the Reynolds Wiley athletic field after my coach, Millard Douglas Crater.
About Home Field Advantage
Home Field Advantage (HFA) is a nonprofit organization of families, alumni and community volunteers from R.J. Reynolds High School.
Since 2012, HFA has been raising private funds for the M. Douglas Crater Field & Stadium, the first on-campus field facility serving the students of RJR and Wiley Magnet Middle School, and the practice field along Reynolda Road which was completed in 2015.
Home Field Advantage and Winston-Salem/ Forsyth County Schools agreed to a public-private partnership whereby HFA is raising private funds alongside public funding from the district.
The Need
R.J. Reynolds High School and Wiley Magnet Middle School are both Title I schools meaning more than 50% of their combined nearly 2,500 students in grades 6-12 qualify for free or reduced lunch.
Neither school has an on-campus field for students to practice, play or attend games for men's and women's soccer, men's and women's lacrosse, football and women's field hockey teams along with access for JROTC, Band, Cheer, Color Guard and Dancing Boots.
For 30 years, these teams, their families and fans have driven to practice and game locations miles away. This has kept many students and families from participating, especially those who lack access to transportation.
501(C)(3)
Volunteer Officers
President: Kathryn Spanos
Secretary: Lisa Rowell
Treasurer: Lynn Gwyn
Campaign Coordinator
Laura Neelon
Committee Members
Rob Boone, Laura Burrows, Greg Cox, Stan Dean, Tommy Elrod, Kirk Fry, Tom Joyce, Bruce Patterson
Ex Officio
RJ Reynolds High School Principal: Calvin Freeman
Wiley Magnet Middle School Principal: Stephanie Jordan
“This complex will allow all students the benefits of having a home facility right at their school. Think of how many more students will be served having the field on site. This must be built to be fair to all.”
