History of Judson Rocket Football
by Giles Babb
NOTE: Info on the 2010 football season can be found by clicking HERE
2010: The Odyssey Continues
On November 7, 2006, stakeholders in the JISD directed the District to embark on a $236M Bond Program that will, among other improvements to District facilities, finally modernize and in some cases replace the Rockets' Launch, Training, Mission Operations and Support facilities. Most significantly, this includes a wholesale replacement of the Judson High School Red Campus as well as a makeover for the stadium. Hence, in the Fall of 2010, the Rocket Odyssey continues in a new building that will be accessed off of Schaeffer Road (the stadium is due for completion in time for the 2008 season). The main academic portion of the Judson High School building will be subdivided into Smaller Learning Community (SLC) "houses" that will accommodate specific Career Clusters. It will also connect directly with the Performing Arts Complex (PAC).
PBK Architects has been retained by the District for this project, and the below images were provided, by PBK, in a document that was presented to the District in the Summer of 2007. The construction work on the Red Campus replacement has been slated to begin around May of 2008.
The below two (2) images depict the frontal view as will be seen from Schaeffer Road
The following two (2) images show the view as will be seen from the corner of Schaefer Road and FM 1516
The following two (2) images show the basic layout. Note that the athletic fields comprising the Frank Arnold Athletic Complex will be where the majority of the existing buildings (as of 2008) are still located, so that the new building can be opened a few steps ahead of the wrecking ball. Some of the athletic fields at the Grey Campus may get some extra workouts as a result of the need to scavenge some of the space behind the main Bldg 600 athletics and Gym buiding, since that's where the two (2) main academic "houses" will be located. The new building shall be connected directly to the Performing Arts Complex (PAC). This overall layout ensures that in the future there shall be no access onto or off of FM 78 and FM 1516, thus providing added traffic safety.
The left image below depicts the circular rotunda that shall be located to the northeast of the main entrance. The right image below depicts what one (1) of the career cluster "houses" will look like
And last but not least, least but not last, the new DW Rutledge Football Stadium---launch pad for the Rockets and T-Birds---set to open in time for the 2008 season
So, some may ask "how did Judson HS begin?" Click
HERE to read a short architectural history of the Home of the RocketsMain Rocketball Menu