Colleagues,
We are pleased to share this exciting project at a Chapter 74 vocational technical school. The Greater Lowell Tech Plumbing and Painting and Design Students shared their skills to help the city. Another example of the cooperation between a vocational technical school and a community, which happens “everyday” across our Commonwealth!
David
Greater Lowell Tech Plumbing and Painting and Design Students Create Goalposts for Massachusetts Pirates Indoor Football League Team
March 28, 2024 Madelyn Hedges, John Guilfoil Public Relations LLC
Greater Lowell Tech Plumbing and Painting and Design students signed the goalposts made for the Massachusetts Pirates Indoor Football League Team.
(TYNGSBOROUGH — Superintendent Jill Davis is pleased to share that Greater Lowell Tech Plumbing and Painting and Design students recently designed, manufactured, and painted goalposts for the Massachusetts Pirates Indoor Football League Team.
The Massachusetts Pirates are a professional indoor football team of the Indoor Football League. The team recently relocated to Lowell after playing five seasons in Worcester.
Former Radio Talk host in Lowell and spokesperson for the Pirates Casey Crane, reached out to school administration in January and relayed the needs for the goal post project.
Before the project was started, research was done to determine which construction materials and paint would be best for the project. Sophomore Plumbing Instructor Genuino Mendonca worked with students to design and construct the 4-inch PVC field goalposts. The construction dimensions were required to meet Indoor Football League specifications and be done in a way that would work with the Tsongas Arena team to allow sturdy, safe operation while allowing quick disassembly for storage between games.
Students signed the goalposts and then participated in a tradition whereby they hit empty plastic bottles off the Pirates’ treasure chest as a symbol of good luck for the players.
The painting process was coordinated by Painting and Design instructor Michael Donahue and students. The team worked together to determine an appropriate paint application process that would sustain the rigors of a football striking the posts without having the paint chip. Students sanded all sections of the posts and then applied a special bonding primer for PVC materials. Finally, a total of five coats of special safety yellow paint was added over a course of a week to complete the process.
On Tuesday, March 19, Greater Lowell Tech Plumbing and Painting and Design students and staff joined Pirates Indoor Football League players, coaches, and team management for a ceremony at the Tsongas Center ahead of the weekend’s home opener game.
During the ceremony, players and coaches commended Greater Lowell Tech Plumbing and Painting and Design students for their hard work and thanked them for their support as the team prepared to kick off its season.
Remarks were also made by Massachusetts State Rep. Rady Mom, Pirates Owner and General Manager Jawad Yatim, and Quarterback Alejandro Bennifield during the ceremony.
Students signed the goalposts and then participated in a tradition whereby they hit empty plastic bottles off the Pirates’ treasure chest as a symbol of good luck for the players. The goalposts will remain in the end zone of the arena for years to come.
“I would like to thank each of the students and staff who took part in this project,” said Superintendent Davis. “We are thankful for this unique opportunity to give back to the community, while at the same time, be able to give our students the opportunity to practice their technical skills.”
The Pirates faced the Jacksonville Sharks during the home opener game on Saturday, March 23 at the Tsongas Center.
Greater Lowell Tech Plumbing and Painting and Design students stand with Massachusetts State Rep. Rady Mom.
David J. Ferreira
MAVA Communications Coordinator
DavidFerreira
