At one time or another, I seem to remember a country-western song that included lyrics along the lines of, “What were they thinking?”
Well, it might have been in a TV show, or Carolyn might have asked me that question.
Anyway, I have to ask this question, “What were some members of the Snyder ISD school board thinking when they opposed naming the field at Tiger Stadium after Snyder High School grad Grant Teaff?”
I do not know Teaff personally, having only met him once or twice when he was here visiting his parents. But I do know people who know him and they have the utmost respect for him and I just don’t see the problem with naming the field in his honor.
I’ve read nothing but positive comments about Teaff from his fellow coaches, like Frank Broyles, Darrel Royal, R.C. Slocum, Bud Wilkinson and so many others. Heck, I suspect even Mike Leach has great respect for the Snyder High School grad.
His peers’ respect is obvious because he served as executive director of the American Football Coaches Association for many years, beginning in 1994.
Some of the comments for reasons not to name the field included that there are many individuals connected with Snyder ISD that could have their names on buildings or a field. A far as I know, there are two buildings named after instructors — Jerry P. Worsham Auditorium and Stanfield Family Learning Center.
Another comment suggested naming the field after Teaff might take away from what the district is now doing to improve student scores. I’m not for sure how it would.
The school board and the administration should be commended for the new emphasis on improving student results and previously agreed that the board’s meeting time would focus on that. Given the failure to agree, we have to begin to wonder how many hours of discussion this topic will take.
But if we’re going to focus on only academics, maybe the $17,000-plus spent on new football uniforms this year might have been better used for teacher bonuses for improved scores or programs for improving student’s grades.
Wade Warren is the assistant publisher of the Snyder Daily News. Comments about his column can be emailed to editor1@snyderdailynews.com.