SULPHUR, Okla. — Construction has officially begun on a long-envisioned sports complex at the Oklahoma School for the Deaf (OSD), marking a major milestone for the school’s students, staff, and supporters.

The new facilities include an 80-yard football field surrounded by a three-lane track, bleachers, a press box, a concession stand, and—for the first time—stadium lighting to allow for evening games. The project aims to provide OSD students with athletic opportunities comparable to those at other schools.

“This project has long been a dream for supporters, students and staff at the school,” said Melinda Fruendt, executive director of the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services. “These students deserve to have good facilities. They have set a high bar for excellence at the school. We are so proud of them.”

The construction comes at a time of athletic success for the OSD Bison football team, which has won three consecutive championships, including the Great Plains School for the Deaf Football Championship in 2024 and the National Deaf Interscholastic Athletic Association Championship for a second year in a row.

“When I first started working at OSD, I saw the football field and thought it was time for the school to have an actual football field even though our football team has won three championships in a row (2022, 2023, 2024),” said Superintendent Heather Laine. “By having the football field and track, it will serve many uses such as different games besides football to be played on the field and the use of track lanes for fitness and other uses.”

Laine noted that the project represents more than just a facility upgrade—it’s the fulfillment of a dream that has spanned decades.

“The community (students, staff, alumni, community in general) is very excited,” she said. “This is a dream that they have been wanting since 2000. They tried to raise money, but it was not enough to make this happen. Once they saw the construction company began working on the field, it was a reality for them that this was happening.”

The football team currently plays eight-man football, competing against other schools for the deaf across the country and local Oklahoma public schools. The new field will be designed to accommodate both six-man and eight-man football, offering greater flexibility for future competitions.

Beyond football, the facilities are expected to benefit a wide range of school and community events, from track meets to fitness programs and intramural sports.

“This complex will not only elevate our athletic programs but also give our students a sense of pride and belonging,” said Laine. “It’s more than a field—it’s a gathering place for our entire community.”

Construction is expected to continue through the coming months, with plans to have the facilities ready for the next football season.

The project is part of OSD’s broader efforts to expand educational, athletic, and extracurricular opportunities for its students, empowering them both on and off the field.

For more updates, visit the Oklahoma School for the Deaf website or follow the school on social media.

Originally reported by Mario Gonzalez in KFOR.