CoxHealth Named Official Sponsor of The Complex at Nixa High School

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CoxHealth Named Official Sponsor of The Complex at Nixa High School

Long-term partnership establishes The Complex as a premier destination for the Nixa community and southwest Missouri.

NIXA, Mo. - Nixa Public Schools and CoxHealth today announced a landmark community partnership that will officially rename the district's centerpiece athletics and events campus at Nixa High School as The Complex, presented by CoxHealth. The multi-year agreement, effective July 1, unites two of the Nixa community's most trusted institutions around a shared commitment to student success, athlete health, and community involvement and will kick off Nixa Public Schools 125th year celebrations.

At its core, the agreement reflects a shared belief that healthy students are better learners, better competitors, and better community members, and that a health system deeply rooted in southwest Missouri has a meaningful role to play in supporting the next generation as well as bringing the community together in one location.

A Campus Built for the Community

The Complex is southwest Missouri's most dynamic multi-use high school campus, home to The Apex, the Aetos Center for the Performing Arts, Eagle Stadium, and an expanding footprint of fields, practice facilities, educational facilities, and shared community spaces. Serving Nixa students and the broader Springfield metro region, the campus hosts thousands of athletes, performers, families, and visitors each year.

As Nixa Public Schools continues to invest in and expand The Complex, the partnership with CoxHealth provides a foundation of community support that extends well beyond the facility's walls, connecting the campus to one of Missouri's most respected and deeply rooted health systems.

Dr. Gearl Loden, superintendent, stated, "In times like these where public education dollars are being cut, having partners like CoxHealth gives us the ability to keep moving forward. It also allows us to do more with our local and state funding."

Loden added, "Our goal is always to pay our teachers and staff well. When funding is tight, other projects are paused or pushed aside. This partnership with CoxHealth will help us continue moving forward at The Complex as we keep our eye on what could be 10, 20, and 30 years down the road for the students and community of Nixa."

Keeping Student-Athletes Healthy, Safe, and Strong

Among the most meaningful elements of this partnership is CoxHealth's direct commitment to the health of Nixa student athletes. CoxHealth sports medicine physicians will provide support to athletes competing at The Complex, as well as all Nixa athletic facilities, extending expert care onto the fields and courts where Nixa students train and compete every day.

This is healthcare meeting community where it lives, not waiting for patients to come through a clinic door, but showing up in the moments that matter most to student-athletes and their families. For CoxHealth, it is a natural extension of a mission built on improving the health of every community it serves across southwest Missouri.

"This agreement reflects a shared belief that healthy students are better learners, better competitors, and better community members," says Dr. Tim Jones, CoxHealth Executive Vice President and Chief Physician Executive. "We believe that a health system deeply rooted in southwest Missouri has a meaningful role to play in supporting the next generation, and this agreement lets us do that."

Health and Wellness Woven Into the Fabric of The Complex

The partnership brings CoxHealth's health and wellness expertise into the everyday experience of Nixa students, families, and community members in meaningful and tangible ways. Through a series of community health programming and activations, CoxHealth will make quality health resources accessible to Nixa families and community members in a familiar, welcoming environment.

Health and wellness awareness messaging (covering topics such as nutrition, hydration, and injury prevention) will be integrated into athletic programming throughout the year. CoxHealth education materials will also be incorporated into classrooms and learning spaces connected to Nixa's medical training and healthcare education programs, creating early exposure to healthcare careers for students who may one day join the region's healthcare workforce and expand Nixa's desire to showcase various career opportunities to students before they graduate from Nixa.

The result is a partnership that students, families, and community members will experience not just in the name on a sign or a logo on a field, but in the resources, expertise, and care available to them every time they enter The Complex.

This partnership will help infuse funding into this property and help make The Complex a high-quality location for events and activities. The partnership will help put the infrastructure in place so that when the district has future bond issues to build projects on the high school campus, the foundation is in place to allow that to happen quickly and efficiently.

"Together, Nixa Public Schools and CoxHealth are building something that goes far beyond a sponsorship," says Kyle Brown, CoxHealth's VP of Marketing and Communications. "We are building a long-term community partnership designed to make The Complex a healthier, stronger, more connected place for everyone who calls the Nixa area home."

Broad Visibility. Deeper Community Connection.

The partnership also includes collaboration on community programming, health activations, and educational initiatives that reflect the depth of CoxHealth's investment in Nixa.

The Complex name and location will encompass the high school campus located between Nicholas Rd. and Gregg Rd. In Nixa.

The community of Nixa has made it clear in past surveys and strategic planning that they wanted Nixa to have one high school. After that was made clear, the district explored what it would take to maximize the high school area to keep one campus. The district purchased the 38 acres next to the high school where the new Apex Activity Center is located.

Plans were also made on how to grow and expand the entire campus, now called The Complex, for 10 to 30 years in the future. Those plans will adjust as the needs of students adjust, but the framework is there and the foundation of a place for the students, staff, and community to gather will put in place as the development of The Complex continues.

The Complex, Presented by CoxHealth, will be officially recognized under its new name beginning July 1.

ABOUT COXHEALTH

CoxHealth is an award-winning, locally owned, not-for-profit regional health system serving southwest Missouri with six hospitals, more than 80 clinics, five emergency departments, and more than 14,000 employees. Missouri's first hospital system accredited by DNV Healthcare for quality and patient safety, CoxHealth is also the only Springfield-area hospital named for seven consecutive years to U.S. News & World Report's Best Regional Hospitals list. For more information, visit coxhealth.com.

ABOUT NIXA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Nixa Public Schools is one of Missouri's premier public school districts, serving more than 6,700 students and providing a comprehensive educational experience from early childhood through high school. Guided by its mission of ensuring every student reaches their maximum potential, the district focuses on developing the knowledge, skills, character, and confidence students need to become productive and engaged citizens. Nixa emphasizes academic excellence, innovation, and student-centered learning through a variety of programs, including STEAM education, career and technical opportunities, extracurricular activities, and strong community partnerships that prepare students for success in college, careers, and life.

The district's commitment to student achievement over the last 125 years has earned state and national recognition. Nixa Public Schools is home to multiple Missouri Gold Star Schools and National Blue Ribbon Schools, the highest honor awarded by the U.S. Department of Education. These honors, along with numerous others, reflect the district's sustained record of academic excellence, high expectations, effective teaching practices, and dedication to ensuring every student thrives. Through a culture that values continuous improvement and innovation, Nixa Public Schools continues its legacy of excellence while maintaining a steadfast focus on educating and empowering all learners for the future.

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