Council hears tributes and directs staff on naming main football field for Coach Don Drinkwine

Friends, former players and community members delivered extended tributes urging the council to recognize Coach Don Drinkwine's long service by naming the main football field in his honor.

Joel Furnari (introduced to the council) and other speakers recounted Drinkwine's decades of mentorship and local ties. Furnari said the coach "changed lives" and urged the council to consider a formal designation. "If changing lives, folks, was a hall of fame category, Don Drinkwine would be a 1st ballot hall of famer," Furnari said in his remarks.

Council asked the city attorney and staff to reconcile any constraints related to the Orange Bowl funding agreement and to draft options for recognition that preserve existing naming obligations. The attorney said the prior naming resolution had historically been applied to street designations and staff would bring recommended language and options for a field designation, plaque or scoreboard inclusion.

Council expressed consensus to pursue recognition and suggested community fundraising for a memorial or statue as a complementary step. Staff will draft an item for council consideration that addresses contractual obligations and a proposed form of recognition.