Hopper Field
Location500 North Brazosport Boulevard
Freeport, Texas 77541
OwnerBrazosport Independent School District
OperatorBrazosport Independent School District
Capacity6,400[1] (1949–1961)
8,662[2] (1961–?)
10,478 (?–Present)
SurfaceArtificial turf
Construction
OpenedSeptember 16, 1949
Renovated1961,[2] 2004[3] 2015
Tenants
Brazosport Exporters (UIL) (1949–Present)
Brazoswood Buccaneers (UIL) (1969–Present)

Hopper Field is a stadium located in Freeport, Texas on the campus of Brazosport High School at the east banks of the Brazos River. It is currently home to the high school football teams of the Brazosport Independent School District (BISD), and seats 10,478.[4] It was named in honor of Brazosport High School coach Herbert Eugene Hopper who had served in that position since 1927.[5] Hopper later became the athletic director of the school, and continued in that role before finally retiring in 1971.[6] The stadium is also the site for BISD commencement ceremonies.[7]

History

Hopper Field opened on September 16, 1949 with a game between Brazosport High School and St. Thomas High School of Houston.[8] During the first season of use, stadium lights were blown down due to high winds caused by the 1949 Texas hurricane, and night games were no longer possible until their repair.[9] Originally seating 6,400, Hopper Field's capacity was expanded to 8,662 in 1961.[2] In 2004, an artificial turf known as "Momentum Turf" by Sportexe was installed, among other renovations.[3][10]

References

  1. ↑ "Exporters Open With St. Thomas Friday". Brazosport Facts. September 15, 1949. p. 4.
  2. 1 2 3 "Board Approves Seats". Brazosport Facts. October 18, 1961. p. 7.
  3. 1 2 Isensee, Bridie (2004-08-08). "BISD projects going down to the wire". Brazosport Facts. Retrieved 2009-11-08.
  4. ↑ "Hopper Field". TexasBob.com. Retrieved 2008-10-17.
  5. ↑ "New Grid Stadium is Named Hopper Field". Brazosport Facts. January 27, 1949. p. 1.
  6. ↑ "Hopper's Day Set Saturday". Brazosport Facts. May 28, 1971. p. 1.
  7. ↑ Isensee, Bridie (2003-10-09). "BISD might stray from bond request". Brazosport Facts. Retrieved 2009-12-08.
  8. ↑ "Exporters Christen Hopper Field With 12-0 Win Over St. Thomas". Brazosport Facts. September 22, 1949. p. 6.
  9. ↑ McMurray, Bill (September 23, 1958). "Hopper Field Regarded As One of State's Best". Brazosport Facts. p. 8.
  10. ↑ "Brazosport ISD-Hopper Field". Sportexe. Retrieved 2010-03-31.

28°57′33″N 95°22′29″W / 28.95916°N 95.37474°W / 28.95916; -95.37474


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.