LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — No program in the state has as much history and tradition as the Little Rock Central High Tigers, but if you’ve driven down Daisy Bates Drive lately you may have noticed a big change for the black and gold.
“To be able to be a steward of a program such as this, I mean what an amazing time," said head football coach Anthony Robinson.
Central High is rebuilding its program from the ground floor, trying to increase numbers year over year. When Robinson first arrived he had just 39 kids, and now the program has over 120 9th-12th graders.
The players are buying in and so is the administration. Athletic Director Earnest McGee said the school is nearly ready to unveil its brand new indoor facility adding it's “exciting and we're ready for something new because we’ve basically been in the dungeon since 1932.”
The new facility features nearly 25,000 square feet of practice space on the ground floor.
“The fact now that we can come inside when it’s cold, or it’s hot, or it’s raining, or it’s sleeting, or snowing, and continue to work out. That is something we haven’t been able to do before," McGee added.
The designs of the new facility were focused on highlighting Central’s great history with a space that will allow the Tigers to compete with the best.
“I know the community was a little weary of a big new building coming in, but once they saw the brick and everything, I think the local community is really excited as well," he said.
The goal is to pay homage to the past, as these current Tigers get a glimpse through the window into the future.
"It’s going to be a very true multipurpose facility. One of a kind in Little Rock and in Arkansas,” McGee said.
Furniture is going in on Monday and they’ll be partially moved in by next week.