South Central High School is among 21 Kansas schools selected to received a share of $105,000 awarded by T-Mobile in its Friday Night 5G Lights competition.
The Timberwolves will receive $5,000 in funding, as well as still being alive in the running for a complete football field transformation, which is valued at $1 million.
SCHS Athletic Director Tim Erickson orginally applied for the district to receive funding to modernize the sound system at South Central’s 40-year-old stadium. The system was in need of upgraded speakers, wiring, microphones and internet connectivity in hopes of giving the athletes, cheerleaders and fans a more energized game-day experience.
Applications closed on Sept. 18, and the Top 40 finalist schools will be announced on Thursday, Oct. 8. The public will be able to vote through Oct. 25 to narrow the field down to the Final Four schools to advance to the ultimate final round of competition.
“Our stadium is more than just a place where we play football,” Erickson said. “It is a gathering place for our students, families, alumni, and entire community.
“This generous grant from T-Mobile will allow us to make an important investment in our facility and improve the game-day experience for everyone who walks through our gates.”
The stadium sound system plays an important role during athletic events by providing announcements, music, school traditions, emergency communications and recognition of students and community members. Over time, aging equipment and limited resources have made it increasingly difficult to maintain the quality and reliability expected of a modern athletic facility, according to Erickson.
The $5,000 T-Mobile grant will help address those challenges by providing funding for new and upgraded speakers and sound-system equipment. The improvements are expected to provide better sound coverage, improved clarity and a more dependable system throughout the stadium.
The project will benefit not only the football program, but also the many students and community members who use the stadium throughout the school year, including band, cheer, other athletic programs, school activities and community events.
“Creating a great atmosphere on game night is an important part of high school athletics,” Erickson said. “Our students work extremely hard, and they deserve a facility that helps showcase their accomplishments.
“We are grateful to T-Mobile for helping us make this improvement possible.”
Erickson said USD 300 is appreciative to T-Mobile and the 5G Friday Night Lights program for investing in local schools and communities. This grant will provide a lasting improvement to the stadium and help create a better experience for generations of students, athletes, families and fans.
