In a recent alumni basketball game hosted by the Crenshaw Christian Academy Booster Club, many “old timers” were welcomed back to hit the court one more time as a CCA Cougar.

“From my understanding, they’ve done this in years past as a fundraiser. This year, we just have a specific reason that we’re doing it,” said CCA Athletic Director Mike Sims.

“All the proceeds will go to the erecting of the new sports facility building. We’ve been trying to get some of those things done and accomplished to have money in the bank so we’re able to build this building.”

The fundraiser took in approximately $800 during the game, and more fundraisers are scheduled in the future. According to Sims, about 23 participated in the game.

The new field house is projected to stand where the current field house is, and construction is expected to wrap up around the end of March 2017. Stephen’s Construction and Concrete, Inc. is providing construction, according to Sims.

“I’m very new to the school, but I see the field house as being an extension of our everyday program. If we have better facilities, then we draw more kids in, and I’m looking at seeing CCA grow,” said CCA Headmaster Gary Driver.

“My goal is to be able to provide the best education possible for the kids that are here. In order to do that, you have to have the funds to do that. We are self-supporting and not federally funded. In order to have a better education program, we need more students. In order to have more students, we need something to attract them, and a new field house will go a long way toward doing that.”

Driver says that the school is also in the process of renovating the gymnasium floor, as well as the gymnasium bathrooms. Modifications and renovations have already been done to the gymnasium’s stage, and new curtains will be added in the future.

“Sims is not about just being football; he is about improving the whole program of the school, and he knows that sports could improve everything across the board,” Driver said.

“He realizes that it’s all one big process, and I’m excited that he is supportive of all sports and not just football.”