Arlington ISD Gets $1.85 Million
Arlington, Texas – On April 25, 2018 the City of Arlington, Dallas Cowboys, Gene and Jerry Jones Family Arlington Youth Foundation, NFL Foundation and Hellas Construction teamed up to ensure that the legacy of the NFL Draft in Dallas extends far beyond the week’s festivities in a groundbreaking ceremony at Workman Junior High School.
At the ceremony, the Gene and Jerry Jones Arlington Youth Foundation, NFL Foundation, and Hellas Construction donated $1.85 million to the Arlington ISD to replace the current grass on the field at Workman Junior High School with a synthetic turf surface, as well as upgrade and replace the lighting and scoreboard. The Arlington ISD will replace the track. The new field was officially unveiled as the Gene and Jerry Jones Family Field.
“The NFL Legacy Project and work at Workman Junior High to construct a competitive field for our students and community will be beneficial and provide opportunities for years to come,” Arlington ISD Superintendent Dr. Marcelo Cavazos said. “We believe that our success depends on an engaged community, and we appreciate the partnership and generosity of the Dallas Cowboys, the NFL and Hellas Construction.”
The upgraded field at Workman Junior High will change the face of AISD athletics, providing the junior high school football and soccer teams with a state-of-the art playing field at a facility dedicated to the level of competition. Currently, Arlington ISD junior high student-athletes play at a variety of district facilities that are at the mercy of weather, with a lack of field lighting—and are often impacted by schedules for the older athletes’ practices and games.
“While we welcome this week the newest members of the NFL family, the impact of the NFL Draft extends far beyond the stage,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “We are proud to work with the Jones’ family, Dallas Cowboys, City of Arlington and local organizations to leave a lasting legacy in the host community and ensure that youth have the resources and support to continue to achieve success on and off the field for years to come.”
“We’re excited to use the energy during NFL Draft week to showcase the values that organized sports teach girls and boys and the long-lasting impact it can have for the entire community,” said Charlotte Jones Anderson, Executive Vice President and Chief Brand Officer of the Dallas Cowboys. “We look forward to the impact this effort will have right here in Arlington.”
Hellas President and CEO Reed J. Seaton said, “We are honored to be working with the NFL, the Dallas Cowboys, and Arlington ISD. The Gene and Jerry Jones Family Field and related infrastructure will leave a lasting impact on the academic athletes in the district. Sports provides so many benefits to students. It’s more than just a field, it’s a place where character is developed, and the principles of determination, perseverance, and diligence are learned.”
The impact of the 2018 NFL Draft has extended far beyond AT&T Stadium through the Dallas Cowboys and NFL’s many community events hosted throughout Draft week across Arlington, Dallas and the surrounding communities. From youth football clinics to character-building initiatives, Salute to Service events and school celebrations, thousands of local children and their families will experience the excitement of Draft.
