COWBOY UP, DEDICATE HARRY WELCH STADIUM.

Byline: Posted by Carol Rock valleynews.com user

There is only one thing left to do after last weekend's phenomenal football game where the Canyon High Cowboys soundly trounced the De La Salle High Spartans for the CIF State Title:

Schedule the dedication of Harry Welch Stadium at Canyon High School.

It's an honor that is years overdue. The Canyon Cowboys have consistently dominated football under Welch's guidance and his dedication to the students and school deserve recognition.

Naming privileges shouldn't be reserved for those who have connections on the City Council or have made large monetary donations to an institution. Harry Welch Stadium would be a place where people could see that our community recognizes hard work and achievement as well as generosity.

Not to say that Harry hasn't been generous with his skills -- as well as financially helping others. He just chooses to do the former in the classroom and on the football field, while doing the latter without fanfare.

Granted, Harry's flown directly into the radar a few times in the past. To put it all on the table, there was that incident in Santa Barbara with the broken trophy case, the illegal practices run by his assistant and a physical altercation between Harry and a player's father, who threw the first punch.

So what? Name one person who has a building named after them whose closet is skeleton-free. It's part of life. If you're in the game, chances are you're gonna get a little smudged, sometimes not always by your own hand, but -- pun intended -- cowboy up and take your punishment.

Harry took his punishment after those long-ago events. Despite bringing Canyon's team to three Southern Section titles (1983-84-85), he left Canyon's program in 1994, exiled until 2001, when he returned to lead the team to another Southern Section title in 2005, before this year's season-ending glory.

Welch Stadium needs to be part of Canyon High for another reason, too. Harry's leadership doesn't stop at the playing field. Thousands of students have been touched by the man's intellect and influence: kids who have never touched a pigskin, but have been lucky enough to sit in his classroom and learn.

Students will tell you that Welch is one of the toughest teachers they've ever had, yet he is consistently named as their favorite after graduation. My children -- none of them football players -- tell me that they use lessons he taught them about life and philosophy every day (he teaches English and a Bible As Literature class that is the stuff of legend). ``Welch really cares about you,'' my choir-focused youngest daughter said. ``I remember we used to sit on the steps of his class and wait for him, grilling each other before a quiz. He made you earn every grade and he was hard, but he is the best.''

According to officials at the William S. Hart District, renaming the recently renovated stadium at Canyon isn't on the agenda, despite another district stadium being christened as a ``done deal'' to their principal in 2004. ``It should come from the school,'' they opined.

In the past, when Harry Welch dealt with problems, news reports always noted a large contingent of supporters behind him. With this recent victory, his base of support has grown exponentially. And here's a news flash: The school belongs to you, the school board works for you and you are benefiting from the spotlight that Harry Welch has once again brought to our little suburb.

Isn't it time for you to pick up the ball and run with it?