DUSD School Board Approves Ira 'Red' Finney Field

has a new name.

On Thursday during its regular meeting, the unanimously approved the name of DHS' stadium field after the prolific coach

Finney was a heavyweight in Dixon's sports circles, whose coaching ability made him one of the winningest coaches Dixon has ever seen.

Arriving in Dixon in 1950, Finney began teaching and coaching at Dixon High School. Through the years, Finney coached football, softball, track, tennis, baseball and basketball -- earning the school 27 league championships at the varsity level and seven more championships at the JV/Frosh levels according to the DixonRams.com web site.

Finney's accomplishments on the field mirrored those in the classroom, his students said. He used some of the same principals he used on the field to inspire students to succeed at

Finney's name was one of five names suggested by the community for the naming of the field. Others included Rams Field and Donors Field. The process of finding a name for the Stadium Field began in February.

Dixon residents were asked to suggest names for the field and a committee whittled the names down to three. The committee presented the names to the school board and it was Finney's name that stood out from among the rest.

On Thursday, the board voted 4-0, board member Jim Ernst was ill and could not be at the meeting, to approve the naming of the field after Finney.

DHS Athletic Director Nick Girimonte said a naming ceremony is in the works, adding that details will be provided once a date for the ceremony is set.