The first annual Jeff D. Cody Night will take place during Friday’s home basketball games in recognition and celebration of the legendary coach for whom Cleburne High School’s new arena is named.

            Special remarks will take place at 7:30 p.m. following the Lady Jackets varsity game with Joshua, preceding tip off of the boys’ varsity game.

            “The Jeff D. Cody Arena has been the host to a multitude of activities since it opened in August,” Athletic Director Jeri Hall said. “But we wanted to have a special recognition night for Coach Cody during basketball season. This will be a big game night as we host Joshua. We know there are a lot of former Jacket players who have been meaning to attend a game in the new Jeff D. Cody Arena, and this would be a great night for that.”

            Cody led Cleburne’s boys’ basketball program to numerous district and playoff championships in his 36 years with the Jackets, which ended in May of 2008 with his retirement from CISD. His record in Cleburne includes 25 playoff appearances, six regional tournaments, a state-semi-finalist title in 1984 and state 4A runner-up in 1987. Cody was inducted into the Texas High School Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009.

He was honored in December of 2012 when the Cleburne HS gymnasium was named in his honor, following a unanimous decision by the CISD Board of Trustees.

            With the inclusion of an arena in the construction of the new Cleburne High School, Cody’s name has been transferred to the 38,000 square foot event center that seats 2,700. Grand opening/ribbon cutting ceremonies for the high school’s new facilities, including the Jeff D. Cody Arena and the renovated former campus, will take place prior to the start of the 2020-2021 school year.

            Team photos and memorabilia from Cody’s years with the Jackets will be displayed in the concourse area of the Arena during Friday’s celebration.

            “This is a special night for Jackets basketball, past and present,” Hall said. “Cody Cody has been a ‘regular’ since we opened ‘his’ Arena and it has meant a lot to our volleyball players--and now our girls and boys basketball teams--to have him in attendance at many of their home games. He is a true coaching legend and we are so excited to establish an annual recognition night in his honor.”

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Friday has been designated as the first annual Jeff D. Cody Night as the Lady Jackets and Jackets take on Joshua at home, in the arena named in his honor. Special remarks are scheduled at 7:30 p.m. following the girls varsity game and tip off of the boys varsity game.