Gainesville —
A dream will become a reality Friday when the Gainesville Leopards host the Decatur Eagles in the first varsity football game played at the new Leopard Stadium.
The athletic complex, constructed at a cost of $2.4 million, has hosted subvarsity football and one scrimmage, but Friday will mark the first varsity action at the new stadium.
Leopard Stadium, located just north of Gainesville High School on Interstate 35, features a seating capacity of 4,160, synthetic turf, an eight-lane track, an air-conditioned press box and a $123,000 scoreboard with video capabilities.
The Gainesville Athletic Booster Club has several special activities planned for the inaugural game. Former Gainesville Leopard and National Football League standout Kevin Mathis is scheduled to be on hand for the coin toss. A special coin commemorating the first game will be used and then will be auctioned off at the annual Leopard Gala.
Booster club members are trying to organize a special airplane flyover for the national anthem. Also, the first 500 fans to come through the gate will get a “G” towel to wave during the game.
The booster club also has a couple of special things planned for one of their members. Wray Westbrook, whose son Patrick is a senior on this year’s Leopard football team, was shot several times while trying to stop a shoplifter at a Gainesville gas station. Westbrook remains in a Fort Worth hospital recovering from the gunshot wounds.
The booster club will have a banner for fans to sign for Westbrook. Also, the GHS cheerleaders will be collecting money in the stands to help the Westbrook family with medical bills.
Fans won’t be the only ones enjoying the excitement of the first game at the new stadium.
First-year Leopards head coach Lance Gary says his team is looking forward to the historic event Friday.
“The kids are excited about it and we’ve been able to practice on (the field),” he says. “It’s going to be a big deal to open our first varsity game there.”
With all the excitement in the air about the new stadium and celebratory ceremonies, Gary hopes the community comes out to support the Leopards, but also wants his team to stay focused.
“I’m hoping the community will be a part of it,” he said. “I hope they come out and support the kids and they have a good chance to see the new facility, and to realize how important it is to compete in this day and age with other districts. Facilities matter. That’s something that we can definitely be proud of out there.”
Kickoff for Friday’s game with Decatur is set for 7:30 p.m.
Local News
Related Photos
-
The gates to Leopard Stadium will be open when the stadium makes its varsity debut Friday as the Gainesville Leopards host the Decatur Eagles at 7:30 p.m. Several special events are planned for the grand opening of the new stadium. Photo by Darin Allred
Guest Book
Stadium gears up for grand opening Friday
- Local News
-
-
GMS student takes first place in spelling bee
A sixth-grader at Gainesville Middle School took first place Wednesday at the Cooke County Spelling Bee.
-
Seminar teaches latest in weather spotting practices
Emergency officials gave the public a crash course in severe weather-spotting during Wednesday’s seminar coordinated by the National Weather Service (NWS).
-
NWS fact sheet on storms aids spotters
Wednesday’s storm spotter education class, coordinated by members of the National Weather Service (NWS), included an extensive fact sheet about varieties of storms and the details that can arise.
-
Crisis Shelter Breaks Ground
Heavy equipment can finally get into the construction site of the Abigail’s Arms Family Crisis Shelter after several heavy rains have hit the area.
-
Property, mineral values a mixed bag
A reported boost in statewide property values, which had suffered a slight drop in 2010, suggests ongoing recession recovery
-
Morton Museum hosts Art on Tap Saturday
The Morton Museum of Cooke County is hosting “Art on Tap,” a beer- and-food pairing event featuring the art of Cooke County and portraits from the past from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday inside the Santa Fe Depot in downtown Gainesville.
-
City Council moves rezoning request ahead
The Gainesville City Council voted to schedule a third reading for a rezoning request made by a property owner in the 3000 block of Harris Street.
-
Old School Comes Down
Sections of the deserted Gainesville Junior High School building came down Wednesday, with developers planning to demolish the old school and develop a new Cooke County Boys & Girls Club facility for youth in the region.
-
Workers move ahead on interchange upgrade
Work continues on Interstate 35 frontage roads near West California Street, and officials said a closing of the nearby Star Street Bridge was expected to conclude late Tuesday.
-
Energetic fox trio settle in at zoo
A group of juvenile red foxes are in their new habitat and have apparently taken to their surroundings at the Frank Buck Zoo in Leonard Park.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
