Sussex Tech named finalist in T-Mobile football field upgrade contest

Sussex County Technical School in Sparta has been named one of 40 division finalists in T-Mobile’s Friday Night 5G Lights competition, selected from nearly 2,500 schools nationwide for a chance to win a $1 million home field upgrade.

The Sussex Tech Mustangs are the only New Jersey school among the finalists. The school will receive $25,000 and a T-Mobile-hosted celebration during its Oct. 17 game.

Sussex Tech will compete against nine other schools in the East Division, with community voting determining which school advances as division champion.

The competition could help transform the school’s uneven dirt football field into a facility with lights and improved amenities, giving student-athletes a dedicated home field and creating a gathering place for students, families, alumni and communities throughout Sussex County.

The Mustangs represent communities across the county, with students attending Sussex Tech to pursue skilled trades, career education and other specialized programs.

“Sussex County Technical School is extremely excited to be selected as one of the 40 division finalists for the T-Mobile Friday Night 5G Lights Sweepstakes,” Athletic Director Sean Truesdell said. He said the opportunity would unite the Mustang community and provide needed facility improvements for student-athletes.

Sussex Tech is a two-time applicant to the competition and a 2026 $5K Fridays winner.

Community members can vote once daily through Oct. 25 at FridayNight5GLights.com or through the T-Life app.

One school from each of the competition’s four divisions — East, West, Midwest and South — will advance to the final voting round. The division champions will be announced Oct. 29 and each will receive $250,000, a Gronk Fitness gym upgrade valued at $90,000 and a $5,000 Big Deal Student Leadership Award.

The four division champions will then compete for the grand prize: a $1 million home field upgrade.