Introduction to the Return of High School Football
Two Fort Lauderdale high school football teams will get to return to a field at Chase Stadium after a recent move to a rival school sparked a community backlash. The Broward School Board agreed Tuesday to pay $41,500 so that Fort Lauderdale High and Stranahan High can play their remaining home games this season at the Baptist Health Community Field at Chase Stadium. (Chase Stadium was built on the site of the former Lockhart Stadium.)
Background on the Stadium and Teams
The teams had been playing this season’s home games at Dillard High in Fort Lauderdale. Chase Stadium, owned by the city of Fort Lauderdale, is the current home of Inter Miami CF, the Major League Soccer team whose ownership includes soccer great David Beckham. The high school teams will play at an auxiliary field at the complex, which is at 1350 NW 55th St., Fort Lauderdale. Lockhart Stadium, demolished years ago, used to be a home to high school and youth football.
The Decision to Return to Chase Stadium
Fort Lauderdale High will play its first game at the community field next week, on Sept. 25, against Cooper City High, with Stranahan’s first game scheduled for Oct. 3 against South Plantation High. The decision to return to Chase Stadium comes after the community expressed dissatisfaction with the initial arrangement to play at Dillard High. Richard Dunbar, head football coach at Fort Lauderdale High, told the School Board that his team has faced disputes with Dillard staff over issues such as where to bring in snacks and where to evacuate during a thunderstorm. “We’re simply not wanted at Dillard,” Dunbar said. “It’s been nothing but confrontation and issues and problems.”
Community Reaction and Support
The Baptist Health Community Field at Chase Stadium is seen, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025 in Fort Lauderdale. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Carrie Zucker, a Fort Lauderdale High parent and alumnus, said students and parents miss their stadium. “We were all saddened to learn that we wouldn’t be there supporting our school in the same stadium,” she said. “The numbers have declined. The kids have less interest in going.” The district decided to use the Dillard stadium to house multiple football teams as part of a $1.5 million renovation, which includes a new artificial turf.
Long-Term Solutions and Investments
Although the plans had been in the works for about two years, Board member Sarah Leonardi, who represents the school, said she didn’t hear about it until about a month ago. “Staff could have done a better job communicating that decision so that we wouldn’t be at the point that we are now,” district administrator Valerie Wanza told Leonardi. Heather Brinkworth, a former School Board member and Stranahan alumna, said School Board members were given false information that there was no cost for the two schools to play at Dillard. While board members approved the agreement, they said the district needs to come up with a long-term solution to address all seven high schools that have no stadiums.
The Need for Better Facilities
The other five schools are Plantation High, Hollywood Hills, West Broward in Pembroke Pines, J.P. Taravella in Coral Springs and Monarch in Coconut Creek. “The fact that we’ve got seven schools that you can’t play at is not acceptable,” Board member Maura Bulman said. “We have to invest in it.” Board members noted that Broward County leads South Florida as the county with the most alumni on NFL rosters. There were 48 such players on the rosters during the first week of the season, more than the total from Miami-Dade (33) and Palm Beach (10) counties combined. “We are producing amazing football players and amazing athletes,” Bulman said.
Conclusion
The return of Fort Lauderdale High and Stranahan High to the Chase Stadium field is a positive step for the community and the students. However, the district still needs to address the long-term issue of providing adequate facilities for all high schools. By investing in better facilities, the district can support the development of young athletes and promote school spirit.
FAQs
Q: Which two high school football teams will return to Chase Stadium?
A: Fort Lauderdale High and Stranahan High will return to Chase Stadium.
Q: Why did the teams initially play at Dillard High?
A: The teams played at Dillard High as part of a $1.5 million renovation, which includes a new artificial turf.
Q: How much will the district pay for the teams to play at Chase Stadium?
A: The district will pay $41,500 for the teams to play at Chase Stadium.
Q: How many high schools in the district have no stadiums?
A: Seven high schools in the district have no stadiums.
Q: What is the long-term solution proposed by the board members?
A: The board members propose investing in better facilities to support all high schools.
