Lane Tech alumni want to name football field for 1912 grad who became NFL’s first Black QB, coach
Under alumni proposal, Lane Tech football field would be named for 1912 grad who was 1st Black QB, coach in NFL
Frederick Douglas “Fritz” Pollard set the sod ablaze on gridirons across the United States in the first decades of the 20th century, running as a sensational vanguard for Black American athletes at every trial.
Pollard’s electrifying odyssey began at Lane Tech High School in Chicago, where he was a threesport phenom in the class of 1912, lettering and excelling over multiple varsity seasons in football, baseball and track.
He went on to star in college football and in the Rose Bowl and later played in the inaugural season of what became the National Football League. By the time his athletic journey ended, Pollard had carved his name in stone, as the first Black professional quarterback and the first Black professional head football coach. He was enshrined in both the college and professional halls of fame.
Now, a century after his exploits first drew national attention, the alumni association at Lane Tech wants to immortalize their historic letterman by renaming the school’s football field after Pollard. ‘Dream to name field after him’
“It’s our dream to name the field after him — Fritz Pollard Field at Lane Stadium — and have a dedicated plaque right on Addison Street so everybody going by could see it and ask questions about it and know about it,” said Michelle Weiner, a 1976 Lane Tech graduate and president of the alumni association.
The school, which recently moved to retire its Indians moniker and mascot, is receptive to the idea.
“This is something so long overdue,” said Nick LoGalbo, a 2001 graduate of Lane Tech who is the current boys basketball coach and the school’s athletic director. “We have such a great athletic tradition, we’re 112 years old, and Fritz Pollard’s story is so important. It’s overdue but also very timely.”
The alumni association’s plan was presented Thursday night to the Lane Tech local school council, where it was received enthusiastically.
“We’re planning to present a resolution on Fritz Pollard and in support of this field proposal at our next board meeting,” said Benjamin Wong, a 1992 Lane Tech alumnus and member of the council.
“WE HAVE SUCH A GREAT ATHLETIC TRADITION, WE’RE 112 YEARS OLD, AND FRITZ POLLARD’S STORY IS SO IMPORTANT. IT’S OVERDUE BUT ALSO VERY TIMELY.” NICK LOGALBO, boys basketball coach and athletics director at Lane Tech High School, on naming the school’s football field after alumnus
Fritz Pollard