OKEECHOBEE — Maintaining a field for high school athletics is a full-time job that requires passion, knowledge and more importantly, the right equipment. The coaches at Okeechobee High School needed specific equipment to maintain their fields for both safety and aesthetics. Their local Kubota dealership at Florida Coast Equipment stepped up and donated equipment to the school.

“Having proper looking fields and surroundings brings confidence to our players,” said Coach Jeff Whitlock. “Keeping it looking well-maintained offers a sense of pride for players, families and our fans. Florida Coast Equipment was able to donate a tractor and a mower to help us keep these fields looking great.”

Coach Whitlock knows very well what it takes to get his players motivated. He is not only a coach but a former player at Okeechobee High School.

“I’ve seen these fields for over 20 years now and they’ve never looked better.”

Florida Coast Equipment President, Todd Bachman, called it a ‘no-brainer’ to step up and help the school when they needed help.

“We have a pretty simple philosophy at Florida Coast Equipment,” said Bachman. “Support and engage in the community we live, work and play to leave it better than we found it.”

The high school also has great relationship with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and both support all sports and community efforts in the county.

Chaplain and Coach Donny Rainey said, “Florida Coast Equipment came in at a time where we truly needed help. Good people like Caleb Cornett helped us make a connection with them and we are blessed to be able to serve our community.”

Reaching outside of the high school into the community has been a goal of the athletic department.

“With the equipment donation, we’re able to help some of our older community members by mowing their lawns,” said Whitlock.

“This zero degree turn mower and L Series tractor has helped us in so many ways both in and out of our school. Sincere thanks to the team at Florida Coast Equipment,” Whitlock concluded.

Florida Coast Equipment and BIG ORANGE RENTAL is a family-owned & operated full-service Kubota Dealership now serving 10 locations across the state (West Palm Beach, Ft. Pierce, Mims, Naples, Plant City, Land O’Lakes, Homestead, Apopka, Ocala and Lecanto, FL.).

Founded in 1985, Florida Coast Equipment has grown from a single dealership with two employees to Florida’s largest Kubota dealer and one of the top dealerships in the country.

For more than 30 years, they have served large agricultural growers, builders and contractors of all sizes, nurseries, commercial landscapers, local and state governments, golf courses, HOAs, equestrian facilities, and estate homeowners in Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, Okeechobee, Brevard, Seminole, Lee, Collier, Hillsborough and Pasco Counties.