The Lone Star State befittingly stands on its own when it comes to football prowess. It is the fulcrum at the center that balances the pro and student games equally. Every level of the sport has an iconic Texas team. One such storied high school has chosen to flex its muscles now- and it’s not holding back.

Stephenville High School, home of the Yellow Jackets, is set to open a new multi-sport stadium. The stadium is set to be completed by May 2025- in time for graduation season. It will host the ceremony for the class of ‘25 and then be turned over to the football team. The arena will cost a whopping $40 million and house 7,500. For a school with about 1/7th of the students, this proposition appears to be with a view to bolster revenue and propel the Yellow Jackets to a 7th state title.

The school recently announced the stadium will be named after Art Briles. Briles was head coach of the football team from 1988-99. Taking over a program that hadn’t made the playoffs in 36 years, Briles gave them a new lease of life. After missing them in his first season at the helm, Briles made the playoffs the rest of the way through his tenure. This run included 4 state titles. The groundwork set by Art Briles is not lost on anybody associated with Stephenville. The school has since added 2 further state titles in 2012 and 2021.

Art Briles Stadium will enclose a 100% artificial turf called the Mike Copeland Field. Copeland has been a mainstay in different capacities at Stephenville. These include football DC and HC, track and field HC and other authoritative roles across a variety of sports. 

“I can’t say how special this is for me, our athletic department, SISD, and our community to be able to name our stadium after Coach Briles and Coach Copeland,” said Stephenville athletic director and current football HC Sterling Doty. “Their legacy will live forever in our hearts and now in our new athletic home.”

How did Stephenville garner the funds for their new fortress?

Stephenville has not had its own stadium throughout its history. The school has played its football stadium at Tarleton State University since the 70s. After Tarleton State obtained D1 status, this partnership was in jeopardy and required a new home.

In the wake of this, the school managed to obtain close to a $40 million bond after voters in the Stephenville area approved the construction of a stadium. A previous ask of $75 million was refused after voters opposed it. The school principal, Stephanie Traweek, said, “I am excited to live in a community that is so supportive of something that’s been a long time coming and a big need. I would like to thank the community because I will tell you, we will benefit.”

Whether the decision to build a new stadium proves profitable financially in the long run, the athletes taking to the field will definitely reap the rewards of a brand-new facility. High school football is potentially about to have a dynamic change reverberate from down south. This marks another feather in the cap, which is Texas Football. A new era beckons in Stephenville.