Springfield School District OKs 3 new naming-rights agreements
SPRINGFIELD >> The school district, through the Springfield Area Education Foundation, has approved three more naming-rights agreements totaling $240,000.
The donors’ roots in Springfield and the school district go deep, especially for the family of Stan Johnson. Stan and Caryl Johnson have donated $200,000 to provide naming rights for artificial turf multi-purpose field, part of the new high school complex.
“Our ancestors were among the original European arrivals here in the 1680s, and at least five members of our family have served on school boards or their predecessor organizations in Delaware County at various times since 1860,” said Stan Johnson, Class of 1969.
His tenure on the board of more than two decades and countless contributions of volunteer service were recognized with the district’s naming the board room in Johnson’s honor. He is also a founder of the foundation. With the same commitment, the Johnsons will honor two coaches with The Jane Brusch-Keith Broome Field.
“The two teachers and coaches … have both excelled at producing outstanding teams in girl’s athletics in two different eras at Springfield High School. We believe in gender equality in academics, the arts and athletics, and these teachers and coaches have made this a reality for so many young female athletes here in Morton and Springfield,” Caryl Johnson said of individuals who coached field hockey and lacrosse.
Johnson cited coaching and game strategy, but “most importantly”
Unoted the coaches taught the values of teamwork, a strong work ethic, and winning and losing with grace and sportsmanship.
A fellow classmate of Stan Johnson, Don Cadge served on the school board for well over a decade, and was also a foundation board member. Don and Barbara have donated $15,000 for naming rights which will represent Don’s nearly 20 years as the Voice of the Cougars in announcing Cougar football and basketball games. The new stadium press box will be known by Don’s tag line “Thanks for Watching & Let’s Go Cougars.”
“This is about gratitude,” said Don Cadge, “for a lifelong relationship with the district; for the education we received, including our five daughters; fun watching athletics; and the many fans who show spirit for our teams.”
The donation by the Donald and Cheryl Nederostek had a different background and context. Their donation of $15,000 under the auspices of the Mark Nederostek Fund will be use to install and dedicate the first memorial bench in the new and impressive high school courtyard.
The Nederosteks have resided in Springfield for more than three decades, and have been strong supporters of district educational and athletic programs. Their son, Mark, was a federal government officer who died at 33 years of age in 2005 after a tragic accident. The Nederosteks have a granddaughter currently attending school in the district.
“We have no graduates from Springfield,” Don Nederostek said, candidly saying their children went to Cardinal O’Hara.
“But I went to the (foundation) golf tournament last summer and met someone who had donated for naming rights honoring his mother and mother-in-law,” he said of Nicholas and Katherine Guiffre. “It got me thinking. We’ve been in Springfield for 35 years, and we wanted to do something for the community.
“Our plans call for the bench to serve as a gathering place for students, teachers and Springfield residents that will capture the spirit and energy of our son Mark,” Nederostek said.
Foundation President Stephen Todaro was extremely appreciative of the generous donations. The organization’s hope is that alumni and others will continue to see naming rights donations as a way to create legacies which will benefit the school and community for future generations.