WILLIAMSPORT -- The Williamsport Area High School football field has been known as Millionaire Stadium for more than 40 years, but next fall it will go by a different name: STA Stadium.
That stands for Student Transportation of America, and it is the district's school bus company. STA will pay $500,000 for naming rights to the stadium for 15 years.
District officials say the money from the name change will go towards building a new track and field complex and installing an all-weather turf football field.
The contribution is the first step in the Williamsport Area School District Education Foundation's capital campaign. The education foundation hopes to raise about $3.5 million to restore and upgrade the school district's athletic complex.
"It just creates opportunities for our students. The more opportunities we create for our students to be engaged, the more likely they're going to excel in their academics also, so that's essential," Superintendent Don Adams said.
"It would never happen without the naming rights I don't think. I just don't think this tax base could have supported it. This is a huge windfall as far as that goes," Michael Foust said.
Michael Foust's son plays for the Millionaires football team. He is happy to see money coming in that will benefit the district's athletic programs, and does not mind the name change.
"The kids don't care, I don't think. I'd be shocked if they did. Bottom line is, if they can get more money to improve their facilities, that's what they're after. They want a good field to play on," Foust said.
"It will take some getting used to I think, but I think this opportunity is great for this community and we certainly don't want to miss out on that," athletic director Sean McCann said.
A representative from STA Transportation tells Newswatch 16 the contribution gives the bus company a lot of publicity and it is a good way to advertise.
District officials say the name change goes into effect July 1 of 2014.