Berkeley Honored to Name Bisk – Turkel Field in Newman Stadium Ahead of Fall Sports Season

When Berkeley Preparatory School opens the 2022 football season, it will do so on a new, state-of-the-art synthetic turf football field inside Stanford J. Newman Stadium due to the generous philanthropy of Berkeley parents, Alison Bisk and Brian Turkel. The transformation of one of Berkeley’s most iconic sports venues would not be possible without the unwavering support of the Bisk – Turkel Family. Their love for Berkeley, and in particular, respect and support for Coach Ciao, motivated the family to leave their legacy in the form of this gift to the school.  
 
“As a former player for Coach Ciao, I know the impact he has on his players lasts a lifetime,” Turkel said. “Alison and I are not only thrilled to recognize Coach’s impact in developing well-rounded young men, but also all that Berkeley is doing for our children.”
 
“Berkeley’s commitment to providing an extraordinary education on and off the field, as well as developing disciplined individuals who can make a positive difference, is very much in keeping with our philosophy of learning. Further, we feel it is important to support Berkeley athletes and students for generations to come,” Bisk added.
 
When the Buccaneers’ teams compete on Bisk – Turkel Field next season, they will do so on a synthetic turf field rated as the safest and most environmentally friendly product on the market today. Much like the playing surface on Berkeley’s Dickey Field, the new turf field infill is a safe alternative to recycled rubber and, although widely used in Europe, has had a more limited presence in the U.S. due to cost. Berkeley’s infill will consist of virgin material designed and manufactured specifically in sport surface applications. Unlike rubber, it is virtually heavy metal-free, odor-free, dust-free, and more durable.
 
“Bisk – Turkel Field will be a game-changer for Berkeley Athletics,” said Athletic Director Bobby Reinhart. “While it is a very well-deserved honor for Coach Ciao, all our field sports, physical education classes, and Summer Programs will be elevated by the quality of this turf that will see action year-round.”
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Founded in 1960, Berkeley is an independent, Episcopal, college-preparatory day school located in Tampa, FL, for boys and girls in grades Pre-Kindergarten through 12. Approximately 1,400 students gather here from the greater Tampa Bay area to form ONE Berkeley.