SAVANNAH, Ga. — A new era of athletics began at St. Andrew’s School on Thursday morning as shovels hit the ground for a major renovation of the school’s athletic fields, backed by over $3.7 million in campaign support.
The groundbreaking ceremony, part of the school’s “Foundation of our Future” capital campaign, marked the start of a comprehensive transformation of the Lions’ athletic complex. The upgrades will include state-of-the-art FieldTurf surfaces tailored for football, soccer, baseball, flag football, and unified lacrosse—creating one of the region’s most versatile high school facilities.
“This project is an investment in the future of St. Andrew’s,” said Head of School Dr. Kelley Waldron. “It’s about providing our student-athletes with the tools and environment to excel on and off the field.”
Pictured (l to r) at Groundbreaking Ceremony: Coach Stephen Vaughn, Coach Wes Worthington, Coach Blake Seale, Campaign Co-Chair Davy Clay '04, Campaign Co-Chair Elyssa Minton, Board of Trustee Ben Jones, Board of Trustee Carrie Stillwagon, Board of Trustee Laura Solomon, Head of School Kelley Waldron, Board of Trustee Amanda Hurtig, Facilities Director Jeff Gonzalez, Athletic Director T. Riley.
The ceremony featured school leaders, coaches, trustees, and campaign co-chairs Elyssa Minton and Davy Clay ('04), all celebrating the school’s commitment to excellence. The new field layout will feature a 360-foot football field, a 220-foot soccer pitch, and a fully renovated 300-foot baseball diamond—all meeting NFHS standards.
“As both the Strength and Conditioning Coach and the Boys Soccer Coach here, I’m excited about what the new athletic field renovations mean for our student-athletes,” said Coach Blake Seale. “It’ll be a great benefit to have a high-quality, dedicated field that will elevate everything we do, from performance training to game-day preparation. For soccer, this gives our players a space that will provide a smooth and easy draining surface. From a strength and conditioning perspective, it creates more opportunities for speed and agility development in a controlled, consistent environment.”
“Beyond just physical benefits,” Seale added, “this investment sends a clear message to current and prospective students: Our school values athletics, development, and student experience. This visibility is huge for exposure, morale, and the overall culture of our programs that use this space.”
Baseball Coach Stephen Vaughn called the new field “a transformational step forward for the entire athletics program at St. Andrew’s School. This facility will provide all of our student-athletes with a dependable surface for training and development, regardless of the weather. It will enhance the quality and efficiency of practices across multiple sports and allow us to host a variety of athletic events that bring our community together.”
“For the baseball program specifically,” Vaughn continued, “this field represents an exciting new chapter. It provides the foundation for better training, more focused and efficient practices, and long-term will allow us to build a baseball program that competes at a high level. As head coach, I couldn’t be more excited for what this means for the future of St. Andrew’s Baseball and the broader direction of our school. This project raises the standard, and our players now have a home they can take pride in.”
“We are deeply grateful to the administration and school leadership for their vision and unwavering support of athletics at St. Andrew’s,” Vaughn said. “Their commitment to providing our student-athletes with the tools to succeed, on the field and in the classroom, is what makes St. Andrew’s a great place to call home.”
Head Football Coach Wes Worthington added, “I believe the new field will help in all of those areas and essentially be the front porch to our amazing school! The academics are exceptional and student-athletes have the ability to go on and play at the next level if they desire.”
PHOTO: Here’s your first look at the future of St. Andrew’s athletics!
A brand-new, all-turf multipurpose complex featuring fields for football, soccer, baseball, lacrosse, and more. Courtesy of St. Andrew’s School Development Department.
Athletic Director T. Riley called the development “a game-changer” for student-athletes and the entire community. “We’re excited to host future games and events on a surface that reflects the pride and passion of our school community.”
The next phase of the campaign includes a new performing arts facility and endowment growth. Field renovations are slated for completion in early 2026.
For updates, visit www.saslions.com.
Photos courtesy of the St. Andrew's Developmental Department
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