INDIANA BUSINESS

South Bend’s Riley High earns $25K as Midwest finalist in T‑Mobile $1M stadium contest

WVPE Public Radio reported on 2026-10-08 that T‑Mobile selected South Bend’s Riley High School as one of 40 Midwest finalists in its Friday Night 5G Lights contest. Riley received $25,000 as a finalist and is pitching upgrades including new bleachers, audio, a press box and expanded locker rooms.

BUSINESSINDY BRIEFBy BusinessIndy Editorial StaffCommentsPublished October 9, 2026 at 5:35 AM EDTOriginal reporting: October 7, 2026 at 8:00 PM EDT · Brief prepared from earlier coverage

AI-generated illustration of the topic: South Bend’s Riley High earns $25K as Midwest finalist in T‑Mobile $1M stadium contest — AI illustration · Not a photograph of the reported event.

WVPE Public Radio reported on 2026-10-08 that T‑Mobile selected South Bend’s Riley High School as one of 40 Midwest finalists in its Friday Night 5G Lights contest. The school has already received $25,000 for being a finalist. Riley Athletic Director Seabe Gavin told WVPE the school is excited after applying, that it missed the cut the past two years, and that students and staff celebrated with a pep rally on 2026-10-08.

Gavin told WVPE he described Riley as a “hidden gem” and said he is contacting his own contacts to help the campaign; WVPE also reported the school secretary has reached out to alumni including NBA players Blake Wesley and Javon Small. WVPE noted Riley hopes to use a winning stadium upgrade to add new bleachers, upgrade the audio system, redo the press box and expand locker rooms. The contest’s grand prize is a $1 million football stadium upgrade, and WVPE reported that winners often depend on who can go viral or attract notable supporters.

WHY IT MATTERS

What happened: T‑Mobile’s Friday Night 5G Lights contest names dozens of high-school stadium finalists across the Midwest; WVPE’s reporting confirms Riley High School in South Bend is one of them and that the school received a $25,000 finalist award.

Who is affected: Students, coaches, event organizers and the school district would be the direct beneficiaries if Riley wins the $1 million grand prize and completes the planned stadium work. The school has listed concrete projects it would pursue with a larger prize: new bleachers, an improved public‑address/audio system, a rebuilt press box and expanded locker rooms. These are facility changes that change how games, broadcasts and team logistics operate, not a guarantee the work will happen.

How it works and what to watch next: WVPE reports T‑Mobile grants finalist awards now and a single grand prize later; winning communities often rely on viral campaigns and high‑profile supporters to advance. For example, a viral social‑media push or endorsements from alumni could raise a finalist’s profile. The next thing to watch is T‑Mobile’s announcement of the contest winner (WVPE did not provide a date for that decision).

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