Friday Night Lights Debut At Alexandria High School's Stadium

ALEXANDRIA, VA — On Friday, the Titans will play under the lights for the first time at Alexandria City High School.

A ribbon cutting for the newly renovated Parker-Gray Memorial Stadium will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 17 ahead of the Titans' first home game at 7 p.m. Speakers will include Superintendent Dr. Gregory Hutchings Jr., School Board Chair Meagan Alderton, Mayor Justin Wilson, and more. Gates will not open to the public until 6 p.m.

The renovated stadium provides lights for the first time in the high school's history. An original condition for building the high school prohibited lighting for athletic facilities out of consideration for neighboring residential properties.

As reported by Alexandria Times, land was taken from Black residents by eminent domain to construct the high school. Residents were compensated and given priority for new houses being built near the high school. However, descendants of those residents claim the school district agreed not to have lighting in the football field.

Residents around the high school began filing lawsuits in 2018, the same year City Council approved updates to the stadium, including lighting. In November 2020, a settlement was announced between 15 homeowners, the school board and City of Alexandria. That settlement allowed the installation of stadium lights to move forward.

Under the agreement, stadium lights may be used for interscholastic high school athletic contests for up to 50 nights per school year as well as postseason games and practices. The lights must be turned off by 9:45 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 10:15 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

The renovated Parker-Gray Memorial Stadium will also include an eight-lane running track, new scoreboard, new artificial turf, egress safety lighting, new concessions building and restrooms, and new ticket booth.

Tickets for the game are $5 online and $7 at the gate. The entrance is located near the high school's parking garage.