By DARIN ALLRED, Managing Editor
Gainesville Daily Register
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.
