ERIE, Pa. — The Millcreek Township School District (MTSD) is proud to announce that the athletic field at the heart of the upcoming McDowell Athletic Complex (MAC) renovation will be officially renamed James Conner Field pending approval by the MTSD School Board on July 15th. The naming honors the McDowell High School alumnus, NCAA All-American, and NFL star whose historic athletic achievements are matched only by his profound resilience and dedication to the Erie community.
A Legendary Career Rooted in Erie
James Conner’s journey to local, regional, and national stardom began on the very grounds being renovated:
- McDowell High School: A 2013 graduate, Conner was a versatile powerhouse for the Trojans. Initially making his mark as an elite defensive end, he switched to running back for his senior season, rushing for 1,680 yards and 21 touchdowns while scoring 26 total touchdowns and a program record 164 points. Defensively, he set the program record for sacks in a season with 12 his junior year and 17 in his Trojan varsity career.
- University of Pittsburgh: At Pitt, Conner cemented his place in college football history. In 2014, he was named the ACC Player of the Year after rushing for 1,765 yards and a school record 26 touchdowns. After heroically defeating Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2016, he returned to the field to rush for over 1,000 yards, capturing the Disney Sports Spirit Award and the Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award. He finished his college career as the ACC’s all-time leader in rushing touchdowns (52) and total touchdowns (56).
- NFL Success: Drafted in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Conner earned Pro Bowl honors in 2018. He later joined the Arizona Cardinals, where he continued his high-caliber play, securing multiple Pro Bowl selections and establishing
himself as one of the toughest, most respected running backs in the league. Conner has remained deeply tied to the Erie community in addition to his national success, frequently hosting youth skills camps and charitable initiatives on the fields where his career
began.
About the McDowell Athletic Complex (MAC) Project
The MAC Project is a sweeping modernization effort targeting McDowell’s main stadium, the student walkway between the high school buildings, and the adjacent western practice fields. The upcoming renovation will introduce modern, durable synthetic turf engineered for multi-sport utility, an updated all-weather track, enhanced safety layouts, and optimized spectator seating.
The newly named James Conner Field will serve as the crown jewel of the MAC Project, a comprehensive, multi-million-dollar overhaul of the district’s aging sports facilities. Marking the first major transformation of the complex in over 50 years, the project will replace the
deteriorating infrastructure of the current stadium and its surrounding practice areas to create a modern, multi-sport environment for student-athletes and the Millcreek community.
The upgraded complex will significantly expand facility access for varsity programs, instructional use, youth sports organizations, and local residents.
As part of the development plan, the school district has formally agreed to back critical fundraising efforts. Led in partnership with local stakeholders and community advocates, this collaborative funding framework ensures the state-of-the-art complex will be constructed
through a blend of district resources and dedicated private and philanthropic contributions.
Information regarding upcoming milestone timelines, public fundraising events, and opportunities to contribute to the MAC Project will be released by the district in the coming weeks. All current information on the project can be found on MTSD’s website: https://www.mtsd.org/macproject.