Texas HBCU breaks ground on stadiums funded by local MLB team
Texas Southern University has announced it will break ground on its new baseball and softball Stadiums on Thursday, Oct. 3 at noon.
The building of the on-campus stadiums is part of an investment between the Houston Astros Foundation and its hometown HBCU.
“The Astros are excited to partner with Texas Southern University as they build new baseball and softball fields. TSU students deserve the opportunity to go from playing and watching baseball at a city park to having their own stadium on campus,” said Paula Harris, Vice President of Community Affairs and Director of the Astros Foundation when the HBCU venture was announced in February of 2023. “The entire World Series-winning Astros organization is proud to be a part of the historic and monumental opportunity for Texas Southern University Baseball.”
“This partnership is a game-changer for our student-athletes. Our players already excel in the classroom as scholars. Now they will get the facilities they deserve as athletes,” said TSU Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Kevin Granger. “I would like to thank Houston Astros Owner and Chairman Jim Crane and his executive team for their generosity and commitment to help make this project a reality for our campus and the surrounding community.”
Both facilities will be located on the corner of Cleburne and Sampson Streets which is across from the Texas Southern University East Garage and on the current site of the Yates High School Baseball/Softball Fields.
The softball stadium will have a capacity of 480 while the baseball stadium is slated to seat 1,080 spectators. Both stadiums will share a concession stand and will have locker room space for both programs along with press boxes and lighting for night contests. The baseball stadium will also feature VIP seating for 80 spectators as both stadiums are projected to officially open in the spring of 2026.
Both HBCU facilities will be located on the corner of Cleburne and Sampson Streets which is across from the TSU East Garage and on the current site of the Yates High School Baseball/Softball Fields. The softball stadium will have a capacity of 480 while the baseball stadium is slated to seat 1,080 spectators. Both stadiums will share a concession stand and will have locker room space for both programs along with press boxes and lighting for night contests. The baseball stadium will also feature VIP seating for 80 spectators as both stadiums are projected to officially open in the spring of 2026.
Information on the official groundbreaking ceremony is listed below, courtesy of Texas Southern University Athletics. WHAT: Texas Southern University Baseball/Softball Stadiums Groundbreaking WHEN: Thursday, Oct. 3 • 11 a.m. WHERE: Corner of Cleburne & Sampson Streets (Across from East Garage & current location of Yates High School Baseball/Softball Fields) WHO: President James W. Crawford III, TSU Board of Regents members, TSU Administrators, Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Kevin Granger, TSU athletic staff, Houston Astros Front Office Representatives and Houston ISD Staff
