STARKVILLE — Starkville High School’s athletics complex is currently undergoing renovations, with work being done to re-turf the football, baseball and softball fields.
The board of trustees approved the use of $5,209,800 in funds from the District Maintenance Fund in an April meeting for the athletic complex and video board replacement project at SHS.
“An investment in our athletic facilities is an investment in student opportunities,” Superintendent Tony McGee said in a district release last week. “With nearly 600 students participating in Yellow Jacket athletics, the upgraded facilities will provide not only a safer, but more dynamic experience for many of the 7th through 12th graders who utilize those fields. Plus, we want to create venues that our community can be proud of and high-quality spaces that showcase the excellence we expect from our students and staff on and off the field.”
The fields at Yellow Jacket Stadium, the Carlisle Field at the baseball stadium, and the Jacket Softball Field all began installation projects in May and are scheduled to be ready for use in the upcoming 2025-26 school year.
The football team is currently practicing on the Jefferey Simmons turf field at the Starkville Sportsplex until the new turf is installed in time for preseason training in July.
The district worked with local architect Thomas Stewart as well as Innovative Construction Management to coordinate the planning and execution of the turf installation.
The football field had noticeable marks and required repair after supporting the Yellow Jacket football and soccer teams for more than a decade.
The school first installed the turf football field in 2014 under then-athletic director Stan Miller. Former state championship-winning head coach Jamie Mitchell looked for improved facilities upon his arrival in 2010, resulting in the construction of the field house behind the south end zone and eventually the turf.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 48 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 48 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
