Stadium Naming

[IndianFan]

This is a subject that, to my knowledge, has not been discussed much in Port Neches. Or if it ever was, it was not publicized.

It's very common for high school stadiums o be named after significant contributors to the school district.

Local examples are abundant such as WO-S who has named their stadium and field after Dan R. Hooks Stadium and Larry Breedlove respectively.

WO-S also has named their baseball park after Ronnie Anderson, and their baseball scoreboard after Jim Morris.

Other examples are:

• Beaumont Westbrook's old football stadium was named Alex Durley Stadium.
• Beaumont Central's old football stadium was named after Babe Zaharias.
• Nederland has named their football field after Jerry Mallory and their baseball park after Dudley Metreyeon and Peter Delahoussaye.
• Newton named their football field after legendary head coach Curtis Barbay.
• Bridge City has Larry Ward stadium.
• Orangefield has F.L. McClain Stadium.
• Vidor has Ivan Croak field.
• And then there was the notorious Carrol A "Butch" Thomas stadium in Beaumont which has since been renamed.
• There are probably many others.

If PN-G ever considered dedicating their facility names to past achievers, what would be your recommendations? Past superintendents, coaches, teachers, maybe even a select few players. Or would you recommend following the money and seeking a naming rights agreement with a local business?

 

[HJJ97NDN]

Tip Durham Stadium

 

[bandkid]

Am I recalling correctly that we named the pressbox or a suite in the pressbox after Tip Durham? Or did I dream that?

I’m not a big fan of renaming the football stadium. I wouldn’t mind the Wade Phillips Field at Indian Stadium. For that matter, Wade will tell you both Port Neches and Groves are his hometowns since he lived in both. We have Bum Phillips Way, the ceremonial name bestowed on Nederland Avenue and Port Neches Avenue together since they’re joined together to connect the two towns. I wouldn’t mind Magnolia and Pure Atlantic being similarly renamed Wade Phillips Way. Or perhaps Twin City, since it would connect both the cities of Port Neches and Groves as well as Bum Phillips Way and Jimmy Johnson Boulevard.

The baseball stadium would be a good fit for Lew Ford (though if we wait a few years, you could probably make a case for Austin Bost, too). I think the Competition Gym should be renamed in honor of Barbara Comeaux.

On that note, it’s worth looking into naming something around town after Chet Garner; after all, his production company is named after Hogaboom Road. I also think we should consider naming something for Bruce and Alletta Thompson, in light of all they did for local charities over the years and Bruce’s service on the PN-GISD school board. And lastly, Francis Monk worked herself half to death to get the FM 365 overpass built across Twin City and the railroad tracks before she died in office, and it had a noticeable impact on traffic safety. It’s long overdue that that overpass be named in her honor.

 

[prepballfan]

Phillips field?

 

[prepballfan]

Phillips Stadium

 

[prepballfan]

Could be Ethridge?

 

[prepballfan]

Although I love The Reservation

 

[PNG Proud]

I'm not one for change, personally. I like "The Reservation" and for one reason that it's NOT named after anyone in particular. The Reservation has a uniqueness all it's own and, IMO, trying to re-name the stadium would create discourse in the community, as everyone has their own opinion (in a very divided world these days).
JMO

 

[IndianFan]

Well, looks like we discussed this here 13 years ago!

Petition on naming Indians Stadium

I am looking for people that are in suppport of naming Indian stadium after Mr. Durham, the voice of the Indians. i am thinking of doing a presentation for the school board to get this done and wanted to see what you all feel about this?

forums.pngindians.com

 

[HJJ97NDN]

Well, looks like we discussed this here 13 years ago!

Petition on naming Indians Stadium

I am looking for people that are in suppport of naming Indian stadium after Mr. Durham, the voice of the Indians. i am thinking of doing a presentation for the school board to get this done and wanted to see what you all feel about this?

forums.pngindians.com

Well, I wasn't on here 13yrs ago, I just thought it would be a good name and it looks like I wasn't the only one. I can still hear his voice like it was yesterday. GOOD TIMES!!

 

[1989NDN]

I can still hear Mr. Durham's voice in my 8th grade American History class or in study hall at Woodlawn. On days when we were caught up on our work, he would break out his guitar and sing a song. I remember him singing Jimmy Dean's, "Big John" and once he played "Amazing Grace." Great teacher, singer, and announcer at PN-G football games. Even a better person. He was also my bus driver during junior high. Bus #67. On Fridays, he was decked out in purple. Purple shirt, jeans, and boots. He wanted everyone wearing purple on Friday.

 

[IndianFan]

Well, I wasn't on here 13yrs ago, I just thought it would be a good name and it looks like I wasn't the only one. I can still hear his voice like it was yesterday. GOOD TIMES!!

Didn't mean to imply that. Just that it is such a great topic that it is occasionally brought up. Problem is there are more deserving people than there are facilities to name.

 

[HJJ97NDN]

Didn't mean to imply that. Just that it is such a great topic that it is occasionally brought up. Problem is there are more deserving people than their are facilities to name.

Sorry, my comment seemed rude, that was not my intention.

 

[IndianFan]

Sorry, my comment seemed rude, that was not my intention.

Not at all. I just think it’s cool that we can say we’ve been around on this messageboard for so long. Since 2000. The longest tenured forum in SE Texas.