When Stuart Rose ’72 called Benjamin Franklin High School CEO Alex Jarrell and offered a $1 million donation to completely redo the school’s athletic field, Jarrell and Development Director Christy Read ’89 didn’t hesitate. The gift, the largest single donation to Franklin athletics in school history, set off a fundraising frenzy that brought alumni, families, and students together to make it a reality.
Chrissa Hailey, Ben Franklin’s Athletics Director says, “Today, we celebrate more than the opening of a new field—we celebrate an investment in the future of every Ben Franklin student-athlete. Rose Field will provide a first-class facility where our students can compete, grow, and create lasting memories. We are deeply grateful to Stuart Rose for his extraordinary generosity and commitment to our school. His gift will positively impact generations of Falcons to come.”
On Friday, November 6, the school will celebrate the result: the ribbon-cutting of Stuart Rose Field at the 2026 homecoming game.
This turf field expands access for athletics, PE, and events year-round, rain or shine; improves safety with a consistent, high-performance surface; and reduces long-term costs, freeing resources for students and programs.
“Witnessing the transformation of Falcon Field into a premier athletic venue, complete with our school colors and Falcon branding, is truly extraordinary. This project is about much more than installing new turf—it is an investment in our students and the future of our athletic programs. Our football, soccer, and flag football student-athletes will now compete on a field that reflects the excellence we strive for every day. It’s an opportunity that many of our alumni could only have dreamed of, and we are proud to make that vision a reality for current and future generations of Falcons,” says Donald Jackson, Assistant Principal of Operations at Benjamin Franklin High School. “We are profoundly grateful to our generous donors, whose vision, commitment, and unwavering support made this transformational project possible. Their investment in our students will create opportunities, inspire school pride, and leave a lasting legacy that will benefit the Benjamin Franklin High School community for years to come. This is truly a game-changing moment for our institution.”
Along with the brand new field, the Ben Franklin Athletic Association also raised $50K dollars to purchase a new scoreboard, which will allow the school even more opportunities to gather as a community.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony will begin at 6:15 p.m. with remarks from Alex Jarrell, CEO of Benjamin Franklin High School; student athletes Elodie Colon ’27, Cheyenne Lewis ’27, and Nick Perez ’27; Dr. Fateama Fulmore, NOLA-PS Superintendent; Councilmember Eugene Green; and Stuart Rose ’72. Following the ceremony, Franklin will host its Homecoming Football game.
Franklin athletics has long lived by the slogan: the brawn to match the brains. Well now, they’ve got the field to match the talent.