S.P. High School board changes policy on naming athletic fields
By Brian D. Wilson
Santa Paula High School
Published: June 13, 2008
The possibility of the Santa Paula High School baseball field being named in honor of baseball star Jim Colborn moved a step closer to reality Wednesday night.
By Brian D. Wilson
Santa Paula Times
The possibility of the Santa Paula High School baseball field being named in honor of baseball star Jim Colborn moved a step closer to reality Wednesday night.
Trustees of the Santa Paula Union High School District voted 3-2 to revise a policy just adopted a year and a half ago. That policy stated that school facilities could only be named after deceased persons. A request from the community to name the baseball field after Colborn prompted the board to take action.
There’s some confusion over the policy change. Last month when it came to the board for the first time, it was thought that the policy as a whole was to be changed. Trustee Doug Jackson was absent last month and vote was split 2-2. Jackson supported the revision at this Wednesday’s meeting. This week it was stated that the change in policy would only apply to athletic fields and not buildings.
Colborn was an outstanding athlete and scholar. He was Student Body president, captain of the baseball, football and basketball teams his senior year. He went on to play college ball, and spent a decade as a major league pitcher before working as a pitching coach for the L.A. Dodgers and Pittsburgh Pirates.
A number of people spoke in favor of the change and of naming the field for Colborn. Steve Brown presented the board with petitions containing some 400 signatures last month. Wednesday he reiterated his support of changing the policy. He thanked the board for considering the issue. “There’s no question why we’re asking for this policy revision,” Brown said. “The community wants to see the baseball field at the high school named after Jim Colborn.
Gary Nasalroad also spoke in favor of the change. He said there couldn’t be a shred of doubt about the character and quality of this person. “I can’t think of any other Santa Paula athlete who has achieved the athletic status and recognition that Jim has received during his career,” he said.
City Council member Ray Luna told the board that naming the field for Colborn would have a positive impact within the community. Another SPHS alumni, Steve Smead said there’s something inspiring about having a alumnus go to where Jim Colborn has gone and accomplished what he’s accomplished,” Smead said. “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with having someone honored while he’s alive. I think the school should capitalize on that fact.”
Board members Catherine Sepulveda and Christina Urias remained steadfast in their opposition to changing the policy. Sepulveda said she had no ill will to Colborn, but didn’t want to change the policy.
Trustee Terry Nelson said he feels it was a mistake to adopt the facility-naming policy a year ago. “I had an opportunity to know Jim and his family and they are really good people,” he said. Nelson added that this is a process and not a guarantee that the field would be named after him.
Jim Tovias said he thought the board made a good decision. “I think like many people had mentioned that it would be great to honor someone while they’re still alive, so their friends and family can really enjoy the moment,” he said. “It means a lot more to the person receiving it and it means a lot to the friends and family who support their family member.”
The policy change will come to the board again June 25 for a final vote, with final adoption likely in August. An advisory committee will be appointed to consider naming the baseball field after Colborn, or some one else.
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