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Beaumont ISD Memorial Stadium
Beaumont ISD Memorial Stadium
After months of discussion, Doggett Equipment Services Group presented a final offer to the Beaumont ISD Board of Trustees for stadium naming rights, which resulted in a 6-1 vote to take it on July 20.
Clear on their stance with regard to the naming of the facility, Doggett representatives read aloud the terms of their amended agreement that came after several trustees expressed a desire to retain “BISD” and “Memorial Stadium” in the facility’s identity.
“We request the naming rights to the football stadium and propose naming the stadium the Doggett Toyota, Ford, and John Deere Stadium. This name will stand alone and eliminate potential confusion if and when associated with the name memorial,” said a Doggett representative.
“You want to take down BISD Memorial as a name, correct? This is a school district, not a college or the pros…you do not want the name BISD said at any time, and I think that’s cheating the school district because that’s who we are,” said District 3 Trustee Woodrow Reece II. “I just can’t see it without at least BISD Memorial Stadium,” to which the pair of presenters responded: “This is our proposal.”
District 2 Trustee Stacey Lewis Jr. replied with a recent change of heart that, “I’m glad you guys chose to move forward with Beaumont ISD… what I felt before was trying to hold my chest out to make sure Beaumont ISD’s name was on the stadium, but I have later to understand that some things and some fights I have to relinquish.
“I would be remiss if I took out an opportunity to serve my staff members and students because we can only do things one way.”
To Reece’s disapproval, board members voted 5-2 to end discussion and proceed with the vote, approving Doggett’s proposal; Reece was the odd man out.
Doggett will pay the district $110,000 annually for 10 years, totaling $1.1 million for naming rights to Beaumont ISD Memorial Stadium, formerly known as Beaumont ISD Carrol A. “Butch” Thomas Educational Support Center.
In addition to the $1.1 million lease payment, Doggett sweetened the deal before the vote, adding $46,000 in contest incentives for students and teachers combined, in addition to a career summit and a prominent sign at the location selected by the board in the football stadium to serve as a memorial or commemorative declaration.
In addition to their recent agreement with Beaumont ISD, Doggett Equipment Services submitted its proposal for naming rights at Jefferson County’s Ford Park entertainment Complex, as well, the only company to respond to the county’s Request For Proposal after several attempts to garner attention. According to Jefferson County Commissioners, this agreement remains in negotiation.