The Tippecanoe Valley School Board took some 15 minutes on Monday night to officially name the school’s football field. Out of 183 possible names that had been submitted by the public, the board was voting on the final four.
The four in consideration included: Death Valley Memorial Field, Smith-Bibler Memorial Field-Home of Death Valley Football; Smith-Bibler Stadium at Death Valley Field; and Smith-Biblee Field at Death Valley.
All five members of the board agreed unanimously on Smith-Bibler Memorial Field-Home of Death Valley Football.
Board member Adam Heckaman said, “There were 183 names suggested and 65 percent of those wanted Death Valley to be included. Another 28 percent wanted a memorial to Smith and Bibler.” He added, “We are here to support the majority. There is a deep heritage of Death Valley football.”
“Death Valley” was the way of playing, Heckaman said.
Micah Lukens, serving as team historian, explained the meaning behind the Death Valley saying. Lukens said when teams came to play in the final tournaments; Tippecanoe Valley would have a perfect record or maybe one loss. He said they would use “Death Valley” as a way of indicating that other teams would be at the end of “death” of their season.
Board member, Stan Miller said, “This is not the name for the whole sports program, only the football program.
Plans are to hold a dedication ceremony and unveil the new signage that will be attached to the new pressbox at the football field just prior to the football game scheduled for Friday night. Heckaman said a 4×8 plywood sign saying Death Valley had been on the previous press box until it was blown off in a storm.
However, the field had not been formally named. The school board voted to give the field a name during a meeting on December 7, 2015. According to the policy, three public meetings are necessary to finalize a name for a facility.
Current Head Football Coach, Steve Moriarty, said he would like for the team to present the unveiling. The board would also like to open up the privilege of being on the field to all former players. Those wanting to participate are asked to be at the field at 6:30 P.M. There will be a brief message given about the football program’s history as well.
The Smith-Bibler memorial inclusion is in honor of former Tippecanoe Valley football coaches, Charlie Smith and Scott Bibler. Both lost their lives in a tragic airplane crash in October, 2015.
In all, four passengers were killed when the aircraft piloted by Charlie Smith crashed in South Carolina. Also lost in the accident were Smith’s son, Scott Smith, and Warsaw retired Sprint car driver, Tony Elliot. The four men were on their way to attend the University of Notre Dame football game at Clemson, S.C.
Smith had been in education at Triton Schools, then went to Tippecanoe Valley in 1975 when the school corporation was formed. He served as the first football coach, leading the Class A team in 1977 as the state runner-up. In 1979, Smith led the team to a state victory. Bibler hadbeen a sophomore on that winning team.
Bibler went on to teaching at Valley in 1990. He had served as an assistant athletic coach for some six to seven years; coached the football team from 1990-2005; and became a guidance counselor at Valley.
At the public meeting on September 18, audience member, Joe Secrist, asked the board to consider some type of memorial signage for other former team players. Superintendent Brett Boggs indicated that there had been some discussion on the idea and there would be further consideration. Referring to both Smith and Bibler ,Secrist said, “They were both about the team. They were respectful of them.”
The game on Friday night marks the beginning of Homecoming events.
One of the events scheduled for Friday night includes a test drive to help raise up to $6,000 for the high school. The test drive is being presented by Kerlin Motor Co. Every driver who takes a test drive from 5:30-9:00 P.M. will earn $20 for the school. Last year, the Kerlin sponsored test drive netted $6,000 for the schools.
Also beginning at 5:30 P.M. is a “Pig Out ForPrill”. They will be selling pulled pork sandwiches, chips, and a drink for $6.00 at the entrance gate. The proceeds from the event will be used to help preserve Prill School.
Carol Anders Correspondent
