New stadium funded by the 2019 Bond
Nearly 35 years ago, Michael Glaspie made history as the first Black trustee elected to the Arlington ISD Board of Trustees.
“I ran, got elected; the rest is history,” Glaspie said Thursday night as he stood on the new athletic field that now bears his name.
Arlington ISD honored Glaspie and officially opened Glaspie Field with a ribbon-cutting ceremony before Seguin High School’s football game.
Looking back on his decision to run for the board, Glaspie shared what motivated him decades ago.
“I had three kids going to this school district,” he told the crowd. “One entering elementary, one entering junior high, and one entering high school. There was nothing going on in this district that I was not concerned about.”
Glaspie went on to serve nearly two decades as a trustee and later as a member of the Arlington City Council. He reflected on his lifelong commitment to public service by quoting Shirley Chisholm:
| “Service is rent we pay for the life we live on this earth.” |
“That’s one thing I’ve been trying to do is pay my rent while I’m on this earth,” Glaspie said.
Glaspie has paid more than his share of rent. His decades of leadership and community impact are why the district chose to name its new, state-of-the-art stadium in his honor.
Funded by the 2019 Bond, Glaspie Field features seating for about 10,000 spectators, modern LED lighting, a large press box, locker rooms, restrooms, and concessions, along with a turf field and all-weather track.
“Glaspie has been years in the making, so it’s a joy to finally be standing here under the lights with all of you,” said Arlington ISD trustee Leanne Haynes before introducing Glaspie to the crowd.
Located on the Martin High School campus where the school’s practice field once stood, Glaspie Field now serves as the home stadium for both Martin and Seguin high schools. It gives Arlington ISD a third competition venue for its six traditional high schools. The district’s other two stadiums – Wilemon Field at Sam Houston High School and Cravens Field at Lamar High School – will soon be completely rebuilt to match Glaspie Field.
“This is such a wonderful facility,” Glaspie said. “It’s hard to believe.”