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Calallen High School Invests in Tradition With a Reimagined Weight Room
Calallen High School has never been short on tradition. Now, the Wildcats have a weight room that matches the standard they have upheld for decades.
As part of a $12.5 million bond approved by Calallen voters, the district recently completed a full renovation of the Steve Campbell Field House in Corpus Christi, Texas. Built in the 1980s, the field house received its first major upgrade in more than forty years, including locker rooms, film spaces, athletic training areas, and a completely reimagined strength room designed to serve every Calallen program.
At the center of the renovation is the Jim Clyburn Weight Room, a space named in honor of the longtime offensive line coach who helped shape Calallen’s strength culture. Strength has always been a cornerstone of the Wildcats’ identity. This project ensured the room could finally support that philosophy at scale.
Designed for Throughput and Daily Use
Calallen fields one of the largest football programs in the region, with 180 to 200 athletes moving through the weight room depending on the season. That reality drove every design decision.
Working closely with Head Football Coach and Athletic Director Charlie Reeve, Samson Equipment helped configure the existing footprint to maximize flow, safety, and efficiency. The result is a layout that allows large groups to train together or split by position without sacrificing organization or coaching visibility.
“With the amount of kids we have, space matters,” said Reif. “We wanted to get as many athletes in here as possible at one time while still keeping it safe and functional. Samson really understood that from the start.”
The room now features 12 double FLEX power racks paired with functional training attachments, allowing multiple athletes to train at once while giving coaches flexibility in programming. Strategic storage solutions keep bars, dumbbells, and medicine balls organized so athletes can move efficiently between stations.
Built to Match the Program’s Standards
For Calallen, upgrading the weight room was about more than new equipment. It was about honoring the legacy of the program and the coaches who built it.
The field house carries the name of Steve Campbell, who led the Wildcats from 1984 until his retirement in 2024. During his tenure, Calallen made 39 consecutive playoff appearances and established itself as a perennial Texas high school football power.
“This program has a lot of tradition,” Reeve said. “Having a weight room like this is fitting for who we are and the standards we hold, not just in football but across all athletics and academics.”
Every piece of equipment was selected for durability and long-term use. With daily lifting schedules and year-round training demands, Calallen needed equipment that could withstand high volume without compromise.
“We wanted a high-quality product that we knew would last,” Reeve said. “Something that could handle the number of reps our kids put in every year.”
Seeing the Vision Before Installation
One of the most valuable parts of the process was planning the room before installation began.
Samson provided detailed 3D renderings that allowed Calallen’s staff to visualize spacing, walkways, and platform placement before committing to the final layout. That planning helped eliminate surprises and ensured the room functioned exactly as intended once installed.
“To see the renderings really helped us wrap our minds around how everything would work,” Reeve said. “Once it’s ordered, it’s there. Having that clarity up front was huge.”
A Space That Invests in Athletes
The renovated weight room is already making an impact beyond the physical upgrades. Coaches have seen increased buy-in and energy from athletes who now train in a space that reflects the investment made in them.
“Any time you invest in your kids and your program, it boosts morale,” Reeve said. “We spend a lot of time in here, and it motivates them to work harder.”
For Calallen, the new weight room is not just an upgrade. It is a continuation of a legacy built on strength, discipline, and standards that never drop.
Equipment Highlights
- 12 Double Power Flex-Racks
- 6 Functional Training Racks Add ons
- Dip Attachments
- Viking Attachments
- Floor bar holders
- Dumbbell Storage w/ Med Ball Storage
Facility Location
Calallen High School
4001 Wildcat Dr.
Corpus Christi, TX 78410
View on Google Maps
If your program is planning a renovation or looking to maximize an existing space, Samson Equipment works directly with coaches and administrators to design weight rooms built for real-world use.
Explore more completed projects at samsonequipment.com/facilities
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