Athletic Facilities
Capital Project 2026
John Paul II High School Announces Transformational Athletics and Communications Upgrades, Funded by Generous Gift from Mary and Rich Templeton
John Paul II High School (JPII) is pleased to announce a significant capital project that will significantly enhance the school's athletic facilities for teams, fine art programs, and expand opportunities for its growing student communications program. The project, made possible through the extraordinary generosity and vision of donors Mary and Rich Templeton, includes a new full-size turf competition field and an expansion of the main stadium's home side grandstand and press box.
This landmark donation reflects the Templetons' commitment to JPII's mission to develop leaders rooted in faith and committed to service, extending their support to student-athletes, performing arts groups, and student media.
President Casey Buckstaff expressed the school’s gratitude: "Mary and Rich Templeton's gift is truly transformative for the entire Cardinal community. This project will not only provide our teams with a state-of-the-art competition venue but will also create new, critical space for our students who broadcast, report, and film school events. Their philanthropy will benefit nearly every student who steps onto the field or into the stands."
Mary and Rich Templeton's gift is truly transformative for the entire Cardinal community."
Casey Buckstaff, President
A New Era for JPII Athletics and Activities
The new facilities will be a resource for many of JPII's student groups, including:
- New Full-Size Turf Competition Field: This new, multi-purpose turf field will be lined for soccer, football, and lacrosse, providing a dedicated space for competition and training. The design will include a mobile band tower for use by the marching band and for any necessary filming.
- Enhanced Scheduling Benefits: The new field will alleviate scheduling burdens, directly benefiting football, cheer, Cardinal Belles, marching band, and boys' and girls' soccer and lacrosse teams.
- East Side Fan Seating: The project involves adding fan seating on the east side of the field, thereby increasing overall spectator capacity.
Athletic Director George Teague highlighted the impact on the school's programs: "Our expectation for Cardinal Athletics is simple: #outworkeveryone. This investment is a game-changer that provides our student-athletes and coaches with the elite facilities they need to excel both on and off the field. The new turf field will provide a consistent, high-quality venue for our core sports, while the expanded seating is fantastic for team spirit."
This investment is a game-changer that provides our student-athletes and coaches with the elite facilities they need to excel both on and off the field.
George Teague, Athletic Director
Expanded Home Grandstand and Press Box
The main stadium will see significant upgrades to the home side to support both fan experience and academic programs:
- Press Box Expansion: The expanded press box will include more space to accommodate JPII's growing Mass Communication and student livestream programs. It will feature a separate coaches' box from the main announcers' area, a fourth space for guests and hospitality, and access via a staircase behind the press box.
- Improved Seating and Fan Experience: The project adds expanded seating on both sides of the main grandstand, allowing the Cardinal Belles and marching band to join the student section. The structure will feature viewing decks on either side of the press box and be wrapped with JPII branding.
Principal Dr. Daniel Ledbetter emphasized the educational and community benefits: "At JPII, we are committed to cultivating critical thinkers and effective communicators, committed to service and rooted in faith. The new, larger press box, with dedicated space for our student media program, directly supports that mission by providing a real-world, professional environment in which to hone their skills. We are building the next generation of leaders, and this facility will be a key part of their formation."
We are building the next generation of leaders, and this facility will be a key part of their formation.
Dr. Daniel Ledbetter, Principal
Donor Commitment: Building the Future
Rich Templeton, speaking on behalf of the family's gift, shared their motivation: "Mary and I are proud to support John Paul II High School as it continues to grow and fulfill its mission. Investing in these facilities means investing in the students—giving them the best resources to pursue excellence in athletics, academics, and the arts. We are excited to see the entire Cardinal community enjoy these upgrades for years to come."
Investing in these facilities means investing in the students
Rich Templeton
Project Timeline
Both the new competition field and the grandstand/press box expansion are slated to begin in early 2026 and are scheduled to be ready for the start of the 2026-2027 school year.
About John Paul II High School
John Paul II High School (JPII) is a leading Catholic coeducational college preparatory institution in Collin County, Texas, offering a supportive and faith-based environment where students excel academically and grow spiritually. JPII emphasizes a challenging curriculum, including AP and honors courses, to prepare students for top universities.
