MERCER COUNTY, WV (WOAY) – The big game between Bluefield and Graham High School is kicking off on Friday, August 29, 2025, at historic Mitchell Stadium, where they’ve been playing for years.
“The stadium was named after June Shott from the Shott Foundation; they are the folks who built it, and we are the folks who keep up with it,” said City of Bluefield, Parks and Recreation Director Rick Showalter.
Showalter calls it a terrific facility.
“There have been a lot of games here — college games, from what I understand (West Virginia and Virginia Tech) actually played here at one time,” the parks and rec director said.
He says the department has always had an interest in making things better.
“The turf field added a few years back has been really nice to play on, and we maintain that,” said Showalter, adding that they’ve been looking at other renovations they hope to do in the near future.
He says they are trying to find funding for erosion control on the rock bank at the far end of the stadium with a company that was awarded the bid.
“Basically, it would be trees planted along the top, which helps with erosion, and along the bank to cover up the rock and dirt,” the parks and rec director said. “There will be ground coverage vegetation that goes in there. And then over on the far right, shrubs that spell out the word Bluefield.”
It’s a rivalry dating back decades. And now the Bluefield Beavers are ready to hit the gridiron with the Graham G-Men, a football rite of passage for champions.
“Down to the bottom left along the stone wall, we hope to, at some point, have like a legends or hall of fame, if you will,” said Showalter. “Then there will be opportunities to have people named because of their involvement here over the years.”
A great lighting system upgrade, he says the red, blue, and green flicker sports beam lights that take out the dark spaces cost them more than $500,000. And $100,000 went into the sound system per the Shott Foundation.
“The bathrooms were renovated probably five years ago, and they look like they’re brand new in terms of what was there,” the parks and rec director said. “We hope to do some upgrades on the concession area as well.
The press box is getting a continual upgrade with carpet sound systems, wall padding, and amenities they use there.
“A few years prior, they added the digital clock up there,” said Showalter. “That way, we can advertise for other facilities, with a large screen and show what’s happening in the game.”
When the parks and rec director attended his first Bluefield-Graham game, it was standing room only with eight to 10,000 fans. ESPN has called it the ‘greatest high school rivalry game.’ What goes into getting the stadium ready for a big game like this is collaboration and commitment he says, and he enjoys everything about it…
“The whole week I don’t think I’ve stopped smiling watching the Little Big Game with all these kids and the festivities,” Showalter said. “It’s just a tremendous event. I’ve never been a part of anything like that. I’ve been in the industry for a really long time, and this is a special place to be.”
