By ROD ROWE
THE GOSHEN NEWS
DUNLAP —
Concord Schools officials renamed the corporation’s high school football facility Friday night in memory of a teacher, coach and administrator who died here 11 months ago.
During a ceremony at halftime of Friday’s Concord-East Noble season-opening game, the football stadium was named the Lawrence J. Jackowiak Field or “Jake Field.”
“It will officially be called the Lawrence Jackowiak Field, but everyone will call it Jake Field, and we will have signs for both,” said Athletic Director Dave Preheim. “Everyone called him Jake.”
Jackowiak, who also went by Larry, died of an apparent heart attack Sept. 18, 2009. He was 51. He most recently served as assistant superintendent for business at the school.
Preheim went on to explain that Jackowiak spent the last 23 years as a teacher, coach, athletic director and administrator before his death last fall.
“He was with Concord 23 years and had an enormous impact on this place,” Preheim said. “He was a teacher, head coach, assistant coach, athletic director and an administrator.”
Preheim said Jackowiak was a most significant professional mentor for him and probably was for many personnel at Concord Schools.
The school board approved an administration recommendation at the Monday board meeting to name the facility for Jackowiak. His widow, Robin, and other family members were on hand Friday as the school board’s proclamation was read at the ball game.
