Many students have been amazed when they have driven by the campus of WHS and seen athletes who play for professional teams using the fields around the school. Seeing these talented and high-level athletes in a familiar setting can help student athletes envision themselves taking sports to the next level.

   During different seasons, the WHS community has hosted athletes from professional sports teams like the Arizona Cardinals and the San Francisco 49ers. This had an effect on the students and community members who came to watch them practice.

   “I feel like seeing professional athletes playing a sport that you do really makes you inspired to work really hard to get to the skill level they are at,” said sophomore Charles Mwebeiha.

   At other times there have been individual athletes using WHS athletic facilities after getting permission from those in charge of managing them.  

   “We have had different athletes come by themselves and use our facilities for more individual reasons,” said athletic director Michael McGrath. “It is a similar process where they usually have agents or members of the team’s management reach out to me”.

   Professional sports teams and athletes also prove beneficial for the programs that host them. By demonstrating that professional sports teams choose to use certain school athletic facilities, it emphasizes the high standards achievable at WHS, demonstrating that Weston cares for their athletic facilities and takes pride in their athletic programs.

   “It definitely benefits WHS by saying that we host different professional sports teams,” said McGrath. “It is rewarding knowing how much work we put into different fields like Proctor and the turf fields.”

   The Patriots star-quaterback, Drake Maye, partnered with Chevrolet to film a truck commercial at WHS. During the commercial they used facilities like Proctor Field and the weight room. The commercial itself depicted Drake Maye showing off his football skills and strength.

   “It means a lot to me that someone as well-known as Drake decided to film a commercial here,” said McGrath. “He was definitely a great person and a perfect representation of who we want to be in our community and take advantage of our great campus.”

   Many faculty members also have strong inputs and opinions on pro sports athletes and teams using WHS facilities. Overall, this is important since many faculty members don’t live in Weston and don’t get the best perspective as to what goes on throughout town.

   “​​Overall, I think professional athletes using our athletics facilities is an awesome thing,” said history teacher Caroline Monz. “It helps to foster a strong sense of community here and form relationships between our own athletic programs and larger, professional organizations.”  

   Weston’s location in relation to the major sports facilities in the area is also an important factor as to why many professional teams and specific athletes decide to use the schools facilities. Being close to both Gillette Stadium and  Boston, WHS offers teams with an ideal logistical location for them to practice in order to prepare for their games.

   “Many teams stay in hotels in towns and cities that are very close to our campus,” said McGrath. “I think that mixed with our very high quality facilities makes us a strong contender any time a professional team needs somewhere to practice.”

    Events with professional teams can also sometimes draw students and parents to come and watch these teams practice.

   “I remember a couple years ago, my dad, my brother, and I went to watch a pro football team, I think it was the Cardinals, practice on Proctor Field,” said freshman John Dickie. “I remember being amazed by how tall and physically talented they all were. It really shows how much hard work and dedication is required to succeed in sports.”

   In many cases, programs could be reluctant to let teams use their facilities because of the fear that an accident could happen or facilities could be damaged by the players using them. 

  “I’ve never had an experience where athletes and teams using our facilities have ever been disrespectful or have ever broken anything or caused any problems,” said McGrath. “Everyone who I have come into contact with as well as the teams they represent have treated me and our campus with the utmost respect.”

   From this, Weston has now gained a positive long-term reputation as being a suitable environment for teams to practice and prepare.

   “I’ve had multiple teams reach out to us and make preparations to use our field,” said McGrath. “Sometimes they will say that they heard how impressive our facilities are and would love to see for themselves. I think it’s really cool and important that Weston is up in the elite category in their eyes.”