GOWANDA - Hillis Field may be home to new honorary decorations if the Gowanda Board of Education approves. Jennifer Gernatt approached the board to discuss the possibility of buying a bench and a plaque for the field.
"We would like to purchase a bench for Hillis Field in honor of Wayne Cross. He has been an EMT (for football) for over 40 years," Gernatt said.
Gernatt said the bench would be similar to those found in a cemetery and would be engraved. The bench would be purchased by Gowanda Little League Football. Gernatt would like to place the bench near the memorial bricks on the edge of the track but was open to other suggestions.
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OBSERVER Photo by Samantha McDonnell
The Gowanda Board of Education heard a request from Gowanda Sports Boosters to place a plaque on the concession stand to honor the New York State champion track team.
Gernatt also asked to have a plaque placed on the concession stand at Hillis Field to honor the state champion track team on behalf of Sports Boosters.
"In 1998, we had a New York state champion, Anne Palcic, and we had a relay team for track, both of them were New York State champions and we don't have anything at the track honoring them," Gernatt said. "I'm thinking something on the concession stand that says 'Home of New York State Champions,' just something to recognize them."
Gernatt said that while there is a banner in the high school gym, it would be nice to see something on the track that other schools would be able to see when they come to Gowanda to compete. Superintendent Charles Rinaldi said the current policy for sports awards is to be hung and displayed in the gymnasium for all sports. This discussion came up when the baseball team won the state championship and whether to hang a banner on the field.
Vice President Lynn Hammond said there may be other options. She suggested possibly painting something on the building or purchasing a memorial brick. Hammond expressed worries about a plaque or bench being stolen.
"We have to be careful of what and how we do things," Hammond said.
Gernatt was asked to attend the next board meeting on Aug. 22 and bring wording and drawings of her proposal. The board will decide on an action at that time.
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