New SAC 2 stadium ushers in new era for El Paso sports

The new SISD Student Activities Complex, or SAC 2 as it has come to be known, received rave reviews in the stadium's first regular-season game.

Horizon defeated Socorro, 28-20, on Aug. 30 in an entertaining matchup. The crowd was abuzz early, as it was Socorro High's homecoming. Lightning in the area caused a long delay in the action, but overall, the experience was great for both teams.

"It was an important night for us to play that first regular season game in the new stadium. The stadium signals a new era and is now an important part of the community," Socorro linebacker Roman Alvarado said. "The turf on the field is tremendous to play on. The locker rooms are nice and the crowd is right on top of the action. Playing in the opener was something all of us wanted and took pride in,"

The new complex was built as part of the 207 voter-approved bond program and will allow the district to host more games to better serve the students of SISD and the community.

HKS Architects designed the new SAC, and Banes General Contractor built the facility. It has a capacity of 6,500, and El Paso native, Irvin High School grad and architect Fred Ortiz played a key role in its construction. The final cost of the stadium was just under $60 million.

The game between Socorro and Horizon was a milestone for Socorro ISD in that it meant a new era in the El Paso area sports landscape. The original SAC debuted in 1992 and there will now be two games played side by side on Thursday or Friday nights and sometimes on both days of the week. The start times will typically be 6:30 and 7:30 p.m., although this Friday, games will be at 6 and 7 p.m. because of out-of-town opponents visiting El Paso. Odessa Permian visits Eastlake at the SAC I at 6 p.m., and Midland High will play Pebble Hills at the SAC II at 7 p.m.

"When we had the chance to play Socorro, I wanted to play at the new SAC," Horizon head football coach Omar Garcia said. "It's a beautiful facility. Our kids enjoyed the game, and we were part of history."

Added Horizon receiver Sergio Santana: "It's a beautiful stadium, and the field is soft, and it was great to be part of the first regular season game."

Part of the new atmosphere is that the crowd is right on top of the action with no track around the new stadium and for Socorro coach Edward Cano, there were many positives from his view.

"We have more access to technology in the locker rooms, and the locker rooms are a little bigger," Cano said. "The lighting on the field is brighter. The video board is impressive. Overall, it's more intimate and that's a plus. I just wish we didn't have the delay. We didn't get that full experience. But it's a great place for a game and just the newness of the stadium brings excitement."

Week 1 football: 5 takeaways from Texas high school in El Paso opening weekend

Felix F. Chavez can be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on X

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: New SAC 2 stadium ushers in new era for El Paso sports