M-A football field to bear Coach Ben Parks' name M-A football field to bear Coach Ben Parks' name (May 11, 2005)

As fall fades into winter next year, Ben Parks, the admired former coach, physical education teacher, and still extant role model at Menlo-Atherton High School, may look up as he enters the grounds of the school's football field and see his name: "Coach Parks Field."

At its Wednesday, May 5, meeting, the five-member school board of the Sequoia Union High School District unanimously approved a package of agenda items, one of which authorized naming the field after Coach Parks.

Coach Parks, who will turn 71 this year, coached football and wrestling at M-A, retiring in 1999 after a 31-year career. During the off seasons, he worked as a strength-and-conditioning coach for several San Francisco 49er star players, including Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Roger Craig and Ronnie Lott.

The school board's vote brought to a close an 18-month campaign by Marc Rogers, a 1975 graduate of M-A, a first vice president at Morgan Stanley in Palo Alto, and a longtime admirer of Coach Parks.

"It was the right thing to do," said Mr. Rogers. "I'm glad it happened and I'm excited about the next steps in the plan to construct the monument to honor Coach in the way he deserves."

The monument Mr. Rogers has in mind is a pedestrian entrance with an arch showing the name of the field, and a bronze plaque explaining Coach Parks' background and accomplishments.

In June, the class of 2005 will formally name the field at the graduation ceremony. A grand opening is planned for the homecoming weekend in the fall, including a fundraising event for Coach Parks' community outreach foundation, said Mr. Rogers.

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