LONG BEACH, Miss. (WLOX) — Long Beach High School is one of 40 finalists out of nearly 2,500 applicants nationwide in T-Mobile’s Friday Night 5G Lights competition, which could bring major improvements to the school’s athletic facilities.
Students, athletes and fans have gathered at Long Beach High School’s Lumpkin-Magee Stadium for decades.(WLOX)
Students, athletes and fans have gathered at Long Beach High School’s Lumpkin-Magee Stadium for decades.
“Honestly, don’t have a whole lot of expectations when it comes to winning it when you’re talking about every school in the country who could apply for this. So when you get a call like that, just a little bit of shock,” athletic director Bob Reeves said.
“Our coaching staff, our kids are working really hard. And so I feel like an improvement to our facilities would just be just icing on the cake,” Reeves said.(WLOX)
Reeves said the 50-year-old stadium needs new bathrooms, concession areas and a weight room.
“Our coaching staff, our kids are working really hard. And so I feel like an improvement to our facilities would just be just icing on the cake,” Reeves said.
School already guaranteed $25,000
If Long Beach wins, the school will earn $250,000 and move closer to the competition’s $1 million grand prize.(WLOX)
The school earned $25,000 for making the top 40 and could bring home more.
“I feel like a million dollars, I mean that goes a long way, that’s a lot of money. So I think overall it would just help boost the conditions. Be a big game changer for the community. For all sports, not just even football,” senior Landon Thode said.
Seniors Landon Thode and Gavin Sutherlin use the stadium’s equipment to train for games.(WLOX)
Seniors Landon Thode and Gavin Sutherlin use the stadium’s equipment to train for football games.
“We’ve had the same weights for, I don’t know, decades. It’s been a long time,” senior Gavin Sutherlin said.
Voting open through Oct. 25
T-Mobile spokesperson Jonathan Adams said Long Beach is one of two Mississippi schools in the top 40.
“They’re currently ranked number six in the South Division with about 3,593 total votes. And so every vote matters. We’re encouraging supporters in the community to keep voting through the 25th,” Adams said.
Voting is open, and the Bearcats hope to advance as South Division champion.(WLOX)
Voting is open, and the Bearcats hope to advance as South Division champion.
“Enter your phone number. All you’ve got to do is hit vote. Very simple, very easy. A good way to help out your community, football team, local sports in Long Beach,” Thode said.
If Long Beach wins, the school will earn $250,000 and move closer to the competition’s $1 million grand prize.
Fans can vote for Long Beach High School once a day through Oct. 25 at Friday Night 5G Lights or through the T-Life app.
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