Bud Moody Stadium has a new look this football season, but the improvements were not meant to change what generations of Quitman residents remember about the historic stadium.
New windscreens and sponsor banners installed around the stadium are part of an effort by Quitman ISD to freshen up the facility while preserving the character and history that make it unique.
The project was made possible through sponsorships from Wood County Electric Cooperative, Peoples, CNB Quitman and Quitman Realty.
Representatives from the businesses joined Quitman ISD Assistant Superintendent Bryan Hurst at the stadium Friday, Sept. 18, to see the finished project.
Trey Teaff, CEO, and Kylie O’Neal, director of community relations, represented Wood County Electric Cooperative. Mcxie Hurst, chief marketing officer, and Brittany Hayes represented Peoples. Jerry Jackson, branch president, represented CNB Quitman, and longtime Quitman ISD board member James Hicks represented Quitman Realty.
The windscreens provide some protection from the wind and sun while giving the stadium a more polished appearance.
Mcxie Hurst said she has heard two very different opinions about the future of some of Quitman’s older facilities. Some believe it would be better to tear them down and start over, while others do not want anything changed.
According to Hurst, the stadium wind screen project finds some middle ground.
“I think that this is a great opportunity to meet in the middle of that, to showcase Bud Moody Stadium and its heritage, and then also not get stuck in the heritage. We can add to and improve in a way that doesn’t take away,” Hurst said.

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
Assistant Superintendent Bryan Hurst said projects like the stadium improvements show what can be accomplished when local businesses and the school district work together.
“We know that it takes partnerships with businesses to do things like this,” Hurst said.
While the banners provide visibility for the sponsors, Mcxie Hurst said supporting the project was about more than advertising.
“We want to get our name out there because those are our customers, those are our members, those are our people. But it’s also because you want to be proud of the communities you serve,” Hurst said.
Trey Teaff agreed that the benefit to the businesses goes beyond having their names displayed at the stadium.
“You get a little bit of marketing out of this, but that’s not why you do it,” Teaff said.
Jackson echoed that sentiment.
“You do it because you want to. You want your school to look good, and that’s what it is. It all comes from pride,” Jackson said.
Superintendent Chris Mason said the support reflects the district’s idea of “Team Quitman” and the relationship between the schools and community.
“We’re just very appreciative. We hung our hat on that idea of Team Quitman and couldn’t be more proud of our community and how they come around to support us and help us and want to be a part of all the great things that are happening in Quitman,” Mason said.
Mason said the district wants that support to work both ways.
“We’re proud to be a part of it and excited to continue to find ways to incorporate our community and support them while they support us, and just be a part of that team,” Mason said.
The sponsors’ involvement is also visible on the stadium scoreboard, where the businesses have advertisements running during games with customized animations.
Bryan Hurst hopes the finished project will lead to similar partnerships elsewhere in the district. Future windscreen projects around playground fencing, for example, could also improve safety and security.

PRESERVING BUD MOODY
The history of Bud Moody Stadium is particularly important to Hicks, who has spent years advocating for its preservation.
“This stadium here has so much character. When you think about how many parents since around 1930 have watched their kids off those rocks,” Hicks said.
The rockwork and old stone seating remain among the stadium’s most recognizable features. Hicks recalled running track at Bud Moody during his own school years, when a track still circled the football field.
“You’ve got the water tower, you’ve got the history here. There’s so much character in this stadium,” Hicks said.
For Hicks, that history is reason enough to preserve as much of the stadium as possible.
“There’s just too much history here,” Hicks said.
The new windscreens and banners bring a more modern look to the stadium without removing those familiar features.
For Hicks, who has repeatedly spoken against replacing the stadium altogether, that balance matters.
“There’s not a football field and high school football field in East Texas that has as much character as this one does except maybe for the Tomato Bowl in Jacksonville,” Hicks said.
As another football season continues beneath the water tower, the new windscreens are another improvement to a stadium that has been part of the Quitman community for generations. Businesses and community stakeholders interested in being part of “Team Quitman” are encouraged to reach out to Assistant Superintendent Bryan Hurst.