Katy ISD public forum fills with support to name Katy High softball field for Coach Calum Hack

Supporters urged the Katy Independent School District Board of Trustees to dedicate the Katy High School softball field to Coach Calum Hack during the board’s July 20 work‑study meeting.

Speakers including Tim Rippinger, former assistant coach and organizer of public comment, Patrick Dowling, Megan Vanetta, Shu Orsak and family members recounted Hack’s more than 850 career wins, state championships and the program’s contributions to students’ character and leadership. ‘‘The name on that field should represent someone who has helped shape these values for generations,’’ one speaker said in urging the board to act.

The petitions and oral testimony described both athletic accomplishments and personal mentorship. Patrick Dowling said he had worked alongside Hack for decades and urged trustees to ‘‘acknowledge his impact and name the Katy High School softball field in his honor.’’ Former players and current coaches emphasized the coach’s influence on character and community as much as on wins or championships.

Trustee Rebecca Fox introduced a formal agenda item to consider the naming; trustees discussed precedent and costs, and staff said the district already allocates funds for facility namings in the annual budget (staff estimated typical facility‑naming expenses generally range from a few thousand to under $20,000 depending on signage or scoreboard changes). The board did not vote on the proposal at the work study and indicated the item will return for formal consideration at the upcoming regular meeting.

Next steps: the naming proposal will appear on a future agenda for a formal vote after staff brings a cost estimate and recommended naming signage plan.