These former high school stars showed up as Traz Powell Stadium got a major facelift

Now it “really” is the Mecca!

Because of so many big games played there over the years, longtime announcer Willie Wilcox coined the nickname for Traz Powell Stadium more than two decades ago.

But the stadium originally known simply as Miami-Dade Community College North Stadium turned 54 last September and it was showing its age.

Thanks to Nike and the help of the Miami Dolphins, the “old lady” got quite a facelift.

Brand new turf field, scoreboard, track, upgraded press box, upgraded locker rooms. The price tag hovered around $2 million. As part of the Super Bowl 54 buildup last week, Nike held a big unveiling event at Traz Powell.

“Just amazing and thrilling. I am a very happy camper right now,” said Miami-Dade County Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho. “The new Traz Powell Stadium is going to be around long after the 49ers and Chiefs leave town and after Shakira and JLo stop singing. A $2 million dollar investment that quite frankly carries so much historic significance in our community.

“Every single historic black high school has played here for generations honoring Nathaniel Traz Powell, a legendary winning coach and first African-American player in state of Florida to score a touchdown in the Orange Bowl. I’ve witnessed many games here on a Friday night and to have it re-branded to all of its glory, I’m just thrilled.”

Other upgrades included seven different flags behind the north end zone with the seven different schools that have used the stadium over the years, American, Booker T. Washington, Carol City, Central, Jackson, Norland and Northwestern. But perhaps created the upgrade that created the most buzz were two brand new giant murals painted on the 15-foot walls behind the stands on both the east and west sides.

Four players either current or past NFL players that played their high school football at Traz now adorn the two walls.

Amari Cooper (Northwestern, Dallas Cowboys), Dalvin Cook (Central, Minnesota Vikings), Duke Johnson (Norland, Houston Texans) and Allen Hurns (Carol City, Miami Dolphins) are up on the west side. Teddy Bridgewater (Northwestern, New Orleans Saints), Quinton Dunbar (BTW, Washington Redskins), Elvis Dumervil (Jackson, 3 NFL teams) and former Dolphin Olivier Vernon, now with the Browns and who played at American.

“It definitely blew me away,” said Hurns who spent four seasons in Jacksonville and one in Dallas before arriving in Miami to play with the Dolphins last summer. “When I played here a few years back, it was nothing like this. I’m sure when these kids walk in here, it’s going to be quite a pleasant surprise for them. Especially knowing how big football is down here in South Florida.”

What’s really great is that they have referred to this place as The Mecca for the longest time and now it really lives up to that title,” said outgoing GMAC Director George Nunez. “When Nike approached the district about doing this for us several months ago we were so excited. What’s incredible is they did all of this in about five weeks and I know because I’ve been here for every single day during the process. What this does for the community is what’s most exciting and I can’t wait for the kids to walk in here for the first time and see this place. Our thanks to Nike and the Dolphins for a tremendous collaborative effort in making this happen.”

But the beneficiaries weren’t limited to just Traz Powell either. Super Bowl week was dotted with other places which got some much-needed upgrades.

Adidas held a big event at Miami Edison where the Red Raiders will now enjoy a brand new turf field among other perks and Dolphins owner Stephen Ross was at Miami Beach High School where the Hi-Tides cut the ribbon on their new turf field.

Youth football also benefited as well as Gwen Cherry Park, where many of those aforementioned players came out of, got upgraded.

The activities at Traz were not done.

Two days later it was time for Nike’s “Parade of Champions” as all five state champion teams from Miami-Dade, Columbus, Champagnat, Booker T. Washington, Central and Northwestern, showed up. With their respective bands blaring away in the stands, one by one, each team paraded into the stadium carrying state title banners along the track before sitting in temporary stands in front of a big stage.

It was the first look the coaches and kids got of the “new-look” Traz.

“I couldn’t believe it when I walked in this morning, it blew me away,” said Northwestern coach Max Edwards. “The games have always been great here but I think they’re going to get even better now.”

“Just amazing, it looks so great it’s already getting all of us pumped up,” said NW defensive back Tim Burns Jr., a 2021 University of Miami commit. “It made me want to get out on the field right now. I can’t wait until next season. Really appreciate Nike and the Dolphins looking out for us.”

Finally came the climactic moment for all the players, coaches and fans on hand as former Patriot and three-time Super Bowl champion Willie McGinest came out to host an back-and-forth Q and A with some special guests. Cooper, Cook, Dunbar, Johnson and Hurns were all brought up on stage and asked to reminisce about their formative days before they were NFL stars playing at the Mecca.

“Memories that I’ll always take with me,” said Cook, who finished seventh in the NFL last season in total yards from scrimmage (1,654) and was named to his first Pro Bowl. “It’s really something to be back here today and see how nice this place looks. Seeing my painting up on the mural is an incredible honor.”

BOYS’ BASKETBALL

▪ Braddock 70, Pinecrest 57: BRAD – Perez 19, Torres 18, Chavez 9, J. Lopez 8. PC – de la Rua 15, Chirino 13, Bastidas 13, Alvarez 7, Negrin 6, Perez 3. Half: BRAD 40-24. 3-pointers: Torres 4, Chavez, Perez. Rebounds: Perez 8. Assists: Chavez 6. Steals: Chavez 4. BR: 14-7.

▪ GMAC Quarterfinal: North Miami 67, Krop 59: NM – Vee’lesk Avin 16 points, 7 rebounds; Carlos Hart 9 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists; Ronaldo Vescine 12 points, 5 assists. KR – Moran 26, D. Siemens 15, Cohen 8, Matheson 4, S. Siemens 2, Weiss 2.

GIRLS’ SOCCER

▪ District 15-5A semifinal: Archbishop McCarthy 8, Hollywood Hills 0: Lili Katz and Sophia Goetz 2 goals each. Jordyn Pitter, Cassie Lawson, Megan Serko and Natalia Perez one goal each. Nadia Colon 2 assists; Madison Burkhard 1 assist. Pitter and Lawson one assist each. Isa Quintero and Jordyn Gifford combined in goal for shutout. AM: 16-1-2.

▪ District 15-5A semifinal: Pines Charter 8, Mourning 1: Alai Araujo, Eliana Salama and Jolie Benavides 2 goals each. Francesca Brito and Leyla Molina 1 goal each. Natali Brito, Katelyn Fernandez, Sabrina Araujo, Alexa Robles and Mariana Ardila one assist each. PC: 13-2-2.

▪ District 15-4A semfinal: Miami Springs 9, Carol City 0

▪ District 15-4A semfinal: Mater Lakes 8, Hialeah Miami Lakes 0

▪ St. Thomas Aquinas 8, South Plantation 0: Shay Miedema 4 goals, 1 assist, Brooke Sanfillipo 3 goals 1 assist. Inez O’Neill 1 goal. Mia Borrone, Rachel Pellissery,Macella Piso, Izzy Kleva, and Delaney Cecere 1 assist each. GKs Gracey Messingschlager and Aspen Ratkevich with the combined shutout.

BOYS’ SOCCER

▪ District 17A-15 Semi Finals: Columbus 1, Southwest 0: Santiago Buenza 1 goal, Daniel Gomez 1 assist. Frankie Mederos shutout.