On Monday, July 13, the Omaha Public Schools Board of Education will consider naming North High’s future stadium in honor of longtime past principal Mr. Gene Haynes.

The stadium is part of a larger, transformational project for the area called Project Game ON. Launched in April 2025, the development includes a new Butler-Gast YMCA along with North High’s first competition stadium in the school’s more than 100-year history. The Lozier Foundation, The Sherwood Foundation and other partners are generously funding the game-changing effort.

“Mr. Haynes is a legendary leader in school and community history,” said Omaha Public Schools Board of Education President Jane Erdenberger. “We still hear his voice in the halls celebrating ‘the best high school east of the Rockies and west of the Mississippi.’”

Mr. Haynes served in Omaha Public Schools for more than 50 years, including nearly 20 years as the principal of North High. For generations of North High Vikings, their families and thousands of school staff, Haynes was a trusted leader, supporter and advocate.

A committee of North High community members unanimously recommended naming the stadium “Gene R. Haynes Stadium,” which will go before the Board of Education as part of Monday’s agenda.

Upon learning of the recommendation pending Board of Education approval, Haynes said, “It's a great honor, and it's all for the kids because our kids deserve the best opportunity in life…and we're going to cherish it."

Haynes continued, “Anything I can do to support the mission of Omaha Public Schools, I wish to continue. Especially North High School, because during my tenure of 53 years, I had a great career, and I feel in no way tired. And if I could do it again, I would give them another 53 years to make sure that those things happen, because it's all for the kids.”

Stadium construction is well underway, with the scoreboard frame already visible from Ames Avenue. It is set to open in the fall of 2027.