Hoover Intends to Stay Home for Football Games

After a 41-year absence, home football games at Hoover High could be back for good. School administrators experimented this season with 3 home games on the Glendale school’s campus, and the positive response from Hoover supporters has encouraged officials.

After the 1947 season, Hoover moved its home games to Glendale High’s 8,000-seat stadium, a facility the Tornadoes have shared in recent years with 3 high school teams and Glendale College. But in recent years Hoover has paid $340 in transportation fees for 2 school buses for each “home” game, making Friday night games no more than a break-even proposition.

Moving the games back to campus meant day games for the Tornadoes because their field has no lights.

Despite the team’s 1-7-1 record, attendance is consistent with recent years, according to assistant principal Kevin Welsh, who estimates attendance at 1,000 to 1,500.

Hoover will return to Glendale tonight for a “home” game against Glendale.

“That’s still the biggest game of the year and biggest money-maker for us,” said Welsh, who is anticipating a crowd of about 5,000. “But we’re happy with our home games and plan to do it again next year.”