Written by Amy Frierson

Pictured Left to Right:  Jon Richt, Mark Farriba, and Richard Ricketts

It was a full-circle moment for Coach Mark Farriba and Prince Avenue Christian School Athletic Director Richard Ricketts when Farriba visited campus to tour the newly renovated Prince varsity football fieldhouse, now named Farriba Fieldhouse.

“I’m beyond words to express what a great honor it is to be recognized in this way,” Farriba said as his eyes constantly roamed the new facility. “This is a very special place.”

As the first full-time Prince varsity football head coach, Coach Farriba established the program from 2007-2012, capping off his tenure with the team’s first visit to the Georgia Dome for the GHSA State Playoffs.   “From where we started to where it is now – there are a lot of people that are a part of this.  I’m amazed at what it looks like.”

Coach Ricketts explains that Farriba’s influence on the program is still visible today.  “Every player that played for Mark loved him.  He was a player’s coach.  But he also brought a lot of discipline and foundational aspects to the program that still exist today.”

Perhaps the most visible result of Farriba’s influence is Prince’s new head coach and Prince alumnus, Jon Richt (’08), who was the quarterback for the Wolverines during Farriba’s first season.  Farriba says that he was extremely fortunate when he got to Prince that Jon was the quarterback. “His love for the game and love for Prince and love of life was contagious.  It was fun to coach him.  I’m happy for him.  He knows where we started, and he has a great perspective on what it’s all about and what it has taken to get here.  He will do a fantastic job.”

Farriba Fieldhouse is a state-of-the-art 6500 square foot facility that includes a weight room, coaches’ offices, a player locker room with 88 lockers, laundry facilities, showers, and a specialized storage area for equipment and uniforms.  The entire facility is equipped with cutting-edge educational technology that allows the coaches to utilize the most up-to-date coaching techniques available.  The facility is designed to be easily incorporated into the upcoming 14-acre athletic complex expansion that will include tennis courts, additional fields, an infield training area, and many other exciting features.

Coach Ricketts explains that the fieldhouse design has been such a success that many aspects of the new competition gymnasium, currently being built, have been fashioned after Farriba Fieldhouse.  “We like it so much, we have used the same lockers, same carpet, and same ideas in the new gym locker rooms.  It is exciting!”

The Prince Wolverines will kick off the 2025 season with Head Coach Jon Richt on Wednesday, August 13^th at 4:30 pm in the Corky Kell Classic vs. Callaway High School. Coach Farriba will have his eye on the team, knowing that they have been preparing for this season in their new home, Farriba Fieldhouse.