School board considers honoring football coach

Clovis Municipal Schools Board members on Tuesday discussed honoring longtime Clovis High football coach Eric Roanhaus in some fashion.

"Several different times people have reached out to me. All kinds of people," said board member Shawn Hamilton. "It makes sense to honor him. It also honors those who were part of his program.

"It's time we honor this legacy."

Board member Paul Cordova, like Hamilton, played football at CHS under Roanhaus.

"He put (Clovis) on the map. When we started (with Roanhaus) we were boys. When we were done, we were young men," Cordova said.

"It's time to do something. It's long overdue. His record says it all."

Cordova said he wants to name the football field in Roanhaus' honor. "Eric Roanhaus Field at Leon Williams Stadium," Cordova said.

Roanhaus resigned at age 69 - he wouldn't say retired because he thought he might come back some day - in 2016 after 39 seasons as Wildcats head coach. His teams won 343 games, including 10 state championships.

School board members in 2017 also discussed naming the football field in Roanhaus' honor before tabling the matter after discussing cost concerns and debating the most appropriate way to honor the state's all-time winningest high school football coach.

Hamilton said Tuesday that Clovis Sign is willing to donate a designating sign for the project.

Deputy Superintendent Jay Brady said one company that has dealt with the field recommended the designation be painted directly on the turf until the next time when the turf is replaced, then it would be put directly into the turf.

Board member Terry Martin, who also played football under Roanhaus and was on the school board in 2017 as well, said he wanted to be clear that he has "great respect" for the coach. But Martin said Tuesday he is concerned about the repeated cost to paint or create the naming designation on or in the turf field.

"I see it as an added expense," Martin said.

Board President Cindy Osburn assigned Hamilton and Cordova the task of coming up with recommendations on the matter.

In other business:

• Folklorico dancers from La Casita Elementary School performed at the meeting in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.

• Board members approved travel for the CHS Wildcadettes to San Antonio in February for the "Alamo Dance Classic" competition.

"So could you guys bring back a medal or something?" Hamilton said before the unanimous vote.

• Board members discussed public access to online meetings. They said that if someone is having difficulty accessing the meeting online, that person may call the CMS office and ask for help during business hours. Osburn reiterated the board policy that anyone watching online must have their computer or phone camera turned on, be visible and not walk away.

• Garrick Sherrod, coordinator for Elementary Youth Programs, gave a presentation to the board on the progress of the K-5 Youth Program.

Sherrod reported the program features 55 football teams and 45 coaches. Practice is held at Clovis' Hillcrest Park.

"Our last games are on Oct. 19. Registration has begun for volleyball. Those games start in November," Sherrod said.

• The next school board meeting is set for 5:30 p.m. Oct. 22 at the G. C. Ross Administration building, 1009 Main St. in Clovis.