Centreville considers naming a ballfield complex after a former MLB All-Star. Why was it put on hold?

CENTREVILLE – Plans to name a ballfield complex in honor of a notable graduate were put on hold Monday by Centreville Public Schools Board of Education.

Class of 1995 member Matt Thornton went on to enjoy a 13-year Major League Baseball career as a pitcher with six different MLB teams.

While Thornton, a former MLB All-Star, may have seemed a logical choice for the honor – considering the pull he exercised in helping the district secure funding from MLB to develop its multi-field softball and baseball complex behind Centreville High School – Superintendent Chad Brady weighed in on the proposal.

Brady suggested the board table the matter and give additional thought to the idea. He said the proposal of naming the complex in Thornton’s honor was suggested by Centreville Alumni Association President Bill Miller, the district’s former, longtime superintendent.

“We also had someone who I met with today who also played an important role but not only with just the baseball facility, but with the facility overall and the construction of it,” Brady said. “You talk about a lot of donated time and equipment and just commitment to getting that project done for the facility we have up on the hill … and that was spearheaded in a lot of ways by Al Murk.”

Brady said it might be prudent to revisit the idea and consider acknowledging Murk and his family, including his wife, Trudy.

Brady said after having lunch with the Murks earlier this week, he is “more convinced than ever that it’s the right thing to do. I truly am.”

“He’s a pillar of the community, in my opinion, and there’s no doubt that that complex at the top of that hill probably would not look like it does today without Al Murk,” Brady said.

Board members acknowledged Thornton’s accomplishments and confirmed few graduates have gone on to reach such a highly visible level of success. Still, board member Tegan Stuby-Hekter said the board should consider whether it is setting a precedence by assigning a name honoring the three-field complex.

“We have – and we just went through this with the bond (request) – tremendous support in this community and there are quiet heroes around all over, and I caution us to start naming things without some type of guidance,” Stuby-Hekter said. “I’m not opposed … the fact is, the Murks, the Thorntons, the Swanwicks, you run the gamut of foundational names and individuals (in the community), so I just really want to be sure that we tread lightly in what we use as a threshold and what we use as something to start naming things or dedicating things to.”

Board members, including TJ Reed, said Murk’s reach to better the community has extended beyond Centreville Public Schools. Reed said Murk’s commitment to maintaining Adams Park, for example, epitomizes his loyalty to Centreville.

Reed said he wouldn’t object to the idea of a sign acknowledging Murk being placed at the ballfield complex. Such as a sign was in place when the complex opened more than five years ago but has since gone missing.

“Al has done so much for this community and the athletic department … as far as naming the field, I think we’re well within our rights to do that,” he said. “The complex is there, the fields could be named individually. Maybe a plaque (recognizing) the donors.”

Reed said he also has no objections to acknowledging Thornton and his professional success. After all, Reed said, if a Centreville graduate went on to win a Grammy Award, the district would likely not hesitate “naming something in the band department for them.”

“I guess I would say to the next person, ‘Hey, if you can put up those stats and an all-star career, we’ll go name something after you, as well,’” Reed said. “I would also point out neither of these two asked (for their name to be associated with the complex.)”

Board members agreed to revisit the matter at a future meeting.

Meanwhile, district officials said Thornton has confirmed he plans to attend Centreville Alumni Association’s June 10 reunion.

This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: Centreville pauses naming a ballfield complex after MLB All-Star