The Columbus City Schools Board of Education has approved spending $2.5 million to renovate the Eastmoor Academy football stadium and modernize the facilities of a field where legendary running back Archie Griffin once played.
At the Aug. 4 Columbus City school board meeting, members approved the investment in Eastmoor Academy’s athletic facilities, with plans to demolish and fully replace the aging football stadium’s home and visitors sections. In an announcement, Superintendent Angela Chapman said: "The Eastmoor Warriors’ wait is over."
"We’ve heard loud and clear that the aging stadium is no longer safe, and it is time to build a new home and visitor grandstand that is worthy of these loyal fans and the legacy of Archie Griffin," Chapman said.
"This is an investment in our student athletes, our school families and the entire neighborhood, giving them a safe, welcoming facility that matches the pride of the Warrior community.”
Griffin, the Ohio State running back who was the only college football player to win the Heisman trophy twice in 1974 and 1975, played on the Eastmoor field before graduating from there in 1972.
Engineering assessments of the existing stadium, which opened in 1955, identified significantly deteriorated concrete, noncompliant guardrails, and severe structural deterioration. The visitor grandstand also has noncompliant risers and aging wooden planking susceptible to deterioration.
A 2024 district facilities assessment ranked Eastmoor's stadium as the athletic facility in the worst condition, and placed it among the highest-priority facilities for needed improvement.
Athletics Director Scott Williams said the new project will carry on the legacy and tradition of the school's athletic programs.
“We believe in our student-athletes and respect this neighborhood’s residents, as well as the many years of tradition at Eastmoor, and we will work with residents to make this a project that we can all be proud of for years to come,” Williams said.
Demolition is expected to begin in September 2026 and conclude in November 2026. The district aims to complete the new grandstand structures by August 2027, though final design and construction schedules remain subject to zoning, permitting, utility review and other required approvals.
For the upcoming 2026 football season, the Eastmoor Warriors will play their games at Columbus Africentric Early College. Williams said Eastmoor’s field can still be used for practices.
During the board meeting, several people spoke during public comment in support of the funding. Charity Martin-King, Ohio House of Representatives candidate, alumna of the school and "football mom," said the project was important for the school.
“We are trusting this board to use these dollars to give Eastmoor the upgrades that it needs," Charity-King said. "Archie Griffin Field is a historic field, where our Eastmoor families gather. I am looking for [the Columbus Board of Education] to lift us Warriors up and give us the improvements we need.”
Cole Behrens covers K-12 education and school districts in central Ohio. Have a tip? Contact Cole at cbehrens@dispatch.com or connect with him on X at @Colebehr_report
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: CCS to spend $2.5M on Eastmoor Academy football stadium replacement
