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Dominion Energy Helps Renovate Football Field at Historically Segregated High School in South Carolina
Members of the Brookland-Lakeview High School state championship team ceremonially turn over the field to the next generation
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Thanks to support from Dominion Energy, alums of the formerly segregated Lakeview High School in West Columbia gathered at their old athletic field on Nov. 22 to celebrate its future for the next generation.
The Lakeview Tigers rolled undefeated through their 1963 schedule while outscoring their opponents 511-24, despite playing home games on a sandy and sloped field that lacked the resources of other schools in the district.
Dominion Energy crews install one of the new light poles at Brookland-Lakeview Empowerment Center.
To commemorate the major victory – and to reinforce their ongoing commitment to the underserved communities in the area – Dominion Energy worked with Brookland-Lakeview Empowerment Center (BLEC) and other project partners to renovate the historic athletic field in a special event with members of the championship team. This featured the ceremonial passing of a football from a Tiger alum to a Tiger youth football player and from a former Lakeview cheerleader to a youth cheerleader – a symbolic blessing of the next generations who will utilize the field.
About 300 youth on the West Columbia Tigers Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) team still use the 61-year-old field, which had been called the “dust bowl” over the years. It had begun showing its age and did not have any lights. With help from Dominion Energy, the historic athletic field now features new turf, an irrigation system, a walking track and lighting.
“The newly renovated athletic field is the result of many years of working, waiting and praying,” said Rev. Charles Jackson, pastor of Brookland Baptist Church and honorary BLEC board member. “It is a testament that God’s delay is not God’s denial.”
Lakeview closed during racial integration in 1968. Jackson, who attended Lakeview, led BLEC’s efforts to purchase the former school and convert it into a community center. Alums are working with the South Carolina Department of Archives and History to place the former school on the National Register of Historic Places.
When he learned about BLEC’s renovation plans, Dominion Energy South Carolina President Keller Kissam wanted to help. Employee volunteers and company in-kind donations contributed to the labor to grade the field and install six light poles for night games.
“Lakeview helped shape many leaders who played an important role in this community long after it closed,” Kissam said. “Its legacy continues today through the tireless work of Pastor Charles Jackson and the dedicated team at the empowerment center who are fine examples of servant leaders who pour their hearts into this community. It was truly an honor to have our hardworking team put their talents and passions to work on this very special project, and we’re excited to watch the next generation carry on such a proud tradition."
Dominion Energy South Carolina President Keller Kissam speaks during the Nov. 22 field dedication ceremony.
Donald Burkett of Burkett, Burkett & Burkett, Certified Public Accountants, P.A. made a major donation in honor of his late wife to help spur the project. It was also assisted by a grant from the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, supported by the area’s state senator Nikki Setzler.
Setzler attended the dedication along with U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, state Rep. Micah Caskey and West Columbia councilman Mickey Pringle.
Other contributing partners include the City of West Columbia, the Lexington County Recreation & Aging Commission, Martin Marietta Materials, Reeves Asphalt and W.P. Law Incorporated.
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