Michael Glaspie spent nearly 30 years serving the community and students after becoming Arlington ISD’s first Black school board member.
Now, his legacy will stand for generations after the district named its latest high school stadium after him. School and city officials, including Mayor Jim Ross, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Oct. 9 for the Michael Glaspie Field Athletic Complex.
The $36 million stadium was funded as part of a nearly $1 billion bond package that voters approved in 2019. The field features 10,000 seats, state-of-the-art LED lights and a large press box.
Glaspie stood at the 50-yard line of the new turf field and thanked the community for allowing him to serve.
“One of my favorite quotes is by Shirley Chisholm: ‘Service is the rent we pay for the life we live on this earth,’” Glaspie said. “That’s the one thing I’ve been trying to do, make sure I pay my rent on my way through.”
The stadium is one of only four built in DFW since 2020. This comes as voters become more reluctant to vote for school bond packages, with local examples including a majority vote against Mansfield ISD’s athletic renovations in 2024 and the rejection of parts of Fort Worth ISD’s 2021 bond.
The stadium, designed by Fort Worth-based VLK Architects, was built on top of Martin High School’s practice field.
The stadium hosts both Martin and Seguin high schools.
Superintendent Matt Smith said stadiums like the new Michael Glaspie Field Athletic Complex impact the community and students more than some may think.
“When we talk about the Friday night experience in school districts, there are hundreds of kids involved,” Smith said. “From our athletic trainers, to our bands, our cheer, our drill teams, to the football teams and the special performances that happen here as well. The impact on the kids is amazing.”
Smith said that watching Glaspie speak during the dedication ceremony was special because the stadium exemplified what Glaspie stood for as a trustee.
“I’ve gotten to know Michael Glaspie in the past time I’ve been here in Arlington ISD, and seeing this project come to life really represents what he always worked for as a trustee in the school district, and that was about creating amazing experiences for kids,” Smith said. “This is a culmination of that.”
Glaspie, a Vietnam veteran, has served on the pastoral staff at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Arlington since 1982 and was elected to the school board in 1991. He served as a trustee until 2008. He was on the Arlington City Council from 2012 to 2019.
Former Arlington ISD trustee Michael Glaspie speaks during the dedication ceremony at the new Michael Glaspie Field Athletic Complex on Oct. 9. (Courtesy photo | Arlington ISD)
At the end of the ceremony, Glaspie said that the stadium was not just an honor for him.
“It is something that symbolizes the service my family has given to education,” Glaspie told the audience. “I did a rough calculation between my generation, the generation before me. My wife and our families have spent over 500 years teaching students, so this is really a tribute to our family.”
Chris Moss is a reporting fellow for the Arlington Report. Contact him at chris.moss@fortworthreport.org.
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