University High Will Build Athletic Complex in Spring 2027

The Monongalia County Board of Education approved the $4 million project to finally bring on-site spring sports to the school.

Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Baseball

Expressionist editorial illustration of a baseball bat and glove on a construction site, evoking the start of new athletic facilities. — University High School in Morgantown will break ground on a $4 million athletic complex in 2027 to provide dedicated facilities for spring sports. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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University High School in Morgantown will break ground on its first-ever on-site athletic complex in the spring of 2027. The project aims to establish dedicated facilities for baseball, softball, and future tennis at the Dotson Tipple site.

Why it matters

The board is initiating construction now to preempt the rising costs of labor and materials, which have already increased by 20 percent between 2021 and 2026. This project addresses a 100-year gap in the school's history by providing necessary spring sports facilities.

The athletic complex is backed by a $4 million budget. The UHS Sports Complex Campaign Committee has already secured sufficient capital to begin constructing an initial practice field.

The players

Monongalia County Board of Education

This is the governing body responsible for overseeing public school infrastructure and funding in Morgantown.

UHS Sports Complex Campaign Committee

This group is responsible for managing the fundraising efforts and oversight of the new facility construction.

Jedd Gyorko

He is a notable athlete who won the 2010 Brooks Wallace Award, and the new baseball field will be named in his honor.

The details

The complex will be located behind the school on the Dotson Tipple site, with the new baseball field slated to be named in honor of Jedd Gyorko. The board chose to move forward now as a cost-control measure to avoid anticipated future price hikes.

2010: Jedd Gyorko won the Brooks Wallace Award.
2021-2026: Costs for materials and labor increased by 20 percent.
Spring 2027: Groundbreaking for the athletic complex.

Season Trajectory

Establishing on-site facilities fundamentally alters the competitive environment for the school by eliminating travel requirements for practices. This change brings the institution in line with regional standards, significantly impacting the stability and scheduling of spring sports teams.

The development ensures that student-athletes will gain immediate access to an on-site practice field upon completion. This project effectively mitigates the risk of further budget strain caused by ongoing labor and material cost inflation.

The takeaway

Proactive investment in infrastructure can shield school districts from the volatility of construction markets. By securing the site today, the district avoids the uncertainty of future labor and material price fluctuations.