Local Groups aim to build $38M youth football complex named after Barry Sanders By Bryan Horwath September 18, 2026 4:03 AM The city of Wichita is working with several groups to advance a vision for a new youth football complex at Dr. Glen Dey Park that would honor Wichita native and Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders. City of Wichita Wichita could eventually be home to a $38 million youth football complex named after one of the most famous athletes to ever come out of the city. The city, the Wichita Parks Foundation and the family of Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders have announced plans for a complex at the site of Dr. Glen Dey Park at 2801 N. Grove St. in north Wichita. The vision calls for a complex with a collection of artificial turf athletic fields that could eventually be home to numerous youth and flag football tournaments and other events. It would also feature a stadium-style “championship” field. The parties have begun asking for donations for the project through a city website ( wichita.gov/footballcomplex ). The project was announced by Wichita Mayor Lily Wu at a news conference Thursday that was attended by Adrian Sanders, nephew of Barry Sanders . “Wichita is home for the Sanders family,” Adrian Sanders said. “It’s where Barry’s story began. Long before the awards, records and professional football career, he was a young athlete right here in Wichita who was given an opportunity to play, compete and dream about what might be possible.” An existing football field named after Sanders is in McAdams Park. Sanders played youth football in Wichita, then starred at Wichita North High School before moving on to play college football at Oklahoma State University. He won the prestigious Heisman Trophy while at Oklahoma State and went on to star for the NFL’s Detroit Lions for 10 seasons. He retired from football in 1999 and is widely regarded as one of the best running backs to ever play college or pro football. His family, Adrian Sanders said, believes the complex could provide a host of opportunities for young athletes in Wichita. “This project is about much more than a name, and it’s about much more than football,” Adrian Sanders said. “This complex will give kids a place to belong, coaches a place to mentor and families a place to come together.” Barry Sanders’ son, who goes by Barry J. Sanders, said his father has often told the story of how he wasn’t allowed to play in an aviation-centered youth football league because his parents didn’t work in the aviation industry. “That’s why this project is so important to him and our family to ensure every kid has access and the opportunity to participate,” Barry J. Sanders said in a statement. Proponents of the projects think the complex could attract players and teams from around the Midwest for tournaments and events, which would generate revenue for local businesses and hotels. District 1 City Councilman Joseph Shepard said Barry Sanders is a name that is known worldwide. “Barry is a beloved son of Wichita,” Shepard said. “I really appreciate him lending his name, his legacy, his support to a place where the next generation of young people can discover their potential.” Wichita Parks and Recreation Director Reggie Davidson echoed Shepard’s words. “This is our opportunity to build more than a football complex,” Davidson said. “Together, we can create a lasting community resource, a place where the next generation can dream, grow, compete and succeed.” The city plans to apply for federal grant funding. Supporters of the project can go to the website to purchase commemorative bricks for $200 apiece. The bricks, which will be added to the complex, will feature personalized messages. Each brick will have space for two lines of messaging with a maximum of 18 characters per line. BH Bryan Horwath The Wichita Eagle Email this person
Curated by Taleb Kabbara · Source: www.kansas.com