Matthews Plaza is an extension of the Jaguar Park project that is sponsored by the SU System Foundation (SUSF). Jaguar Park is a three-phase construction project launched to support the construction of a $1.2 million urban sport complex located on the University’s Baton Rouge campus. The Matthews Plaza official ribbon cutting ceremony and grand opening took place the morning of Southern University’s homecoming football game, October 7, 2017, at the Eastside entrance of the A.W. Mumford Stadium on the SU Baton Rouge campus.

Irving and Darlene Matthews’ sizeable investment has helped the Jaguar Park project raise more than $500,000 to date. The Matthews also have established the Irving and Darlene Matthews Endowed Scholarships in the College of Business and the College of Engineering.

The event was attended by the Matthews family, Ray Belton, Southern University System Chancellor-President, Domoine D. Rutledge, Southern University System Foundation Chairman, Alfred E. Harrell, III, Southern University System Foundation CEO, and Southern University supporters.

JaguarPark boasts a lighted NCAA regulation soccer game field and football practice field, a soccer field-house and coaching observation tower, along with javelin and discus runways. JaguarPark is enclosed by fencing with 46 connecting brick columns.