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Brownsville ISD board votes to expand Sams Stadium turf for soccer, remove track
Summary
The Brownsville ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved converting Sams Stadium to a wider turf field for soccer by removing the existing track, reallocating previously budgeted track funds and directing administration to begin procurement and graduation contingency planning.
The Brownsville Independent School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously Oct. 24 to remove the track at Sams Stadium and expand the field turf so the venue can reliably host varsity soccer in addition to football.
"I would like to make a motion to approve option one and accept administration recommendations so we can move forward with this project," Board President Jessica Gonzalez said before the 6-0 vote. The motion was seconded by Trustee Denise Garza and carried without dissent.
Superintendent Dr. Jesus H. Chavez and Chief Financial Officer Alejandro Cespedes had presented two options: remove the track and widen the turf, or replace both track and turf together. Cespedes told trustees the current field turf "is about 12 years old" and the track is "over 20 years old," meaning resurfacing alone is not sufficient. He said the district previously allocated $1 million for track work and would need to identify additional funds to cover the full scope of construction.
Administration recommended Option One in part to create a soccer-capable pitch with a safety buffer beyond the 185-foot width currently at Sams and to increase year-round stadium use. Athletic Administrator Gilbert Leal, who presented stakeholder and coaching perspectives, said the change would let the district better showcase its soccer programs and consolidate marquee events at Sams.
The board instructed staff to proceed with procurement planning, coordinate alternate graduation sites while work proceeds, and continue stakeholder discussions including a planned December meeting with university and city partners. The meeting adjourned at 6:01 p.m.
