Pilot Flying J is donating $10 million over the next three years to provide athletic and academic support to the 13 public high schools in Knox County, Tennessee, including synthetic turf at each school for a football field.
“We are humbled by the generosity of Pilot Flying J and the Haslam family,” said Jim McIntyre, superintendent of the Knox County schools. “This $10 million commitment is a tremendous opportunity to provide significant enhancements to high school academics while also recognizing that athletics play an important role in the development of the whole student, and in the high school experience.”
The project will break ground in April. Thirteen high schools will have synthetic turf fields installed and other field improvements to allow for a variety events to be played year-round, as well as the hosting of community events.
Five high schools with tracks that are due to be replaced also will receive enhancements as a part of the renovation.
The gift includes $1.3 million in academic support for the high schools — $100,000 per school — based on proposals from each of the school principals.
“The Haslam family is proud to call Knoxville both our home and the headquarters for our company," said Will Haslam of Pilot Flying J. "We are excited about the many potential uses of these new artificial-turf fields for a variety of different sports and community events through all seasons. It is a privilege for us to make this gift to Knox County students and student-athletes in honor of my grandfather, James A. Haslam II, and the more than 1,200 Pilot Flying J team members who live and raise their families here."
