Kenosha---The family of the late Olen Arrington, Jr. says it's humbled and honored by the decision to name the new stadium at Bradford High School after the family patriarch, but it won't lobby to ensure that the school board doesn't reverse itself in the face of public pressure.
"I genuinely believe that people are entitled to their opinions," said Arrington's son, David, a former Kenosha County Board Supervisor. "The Arrington family loves you and we respect everyone in the community."
More than 1,000 signatures were added to an on-line petition within 24 hours of the school board's 3-2 vote that calls for the board to rescind its decision. The vote went against a citizen-committee recommendation to simply name the facility Bradford Stadium, after Mary D. Bradford.
Arrington says he understands the reasoning of the recommendation---the city’s northsiders have waited for decades for a stadium of their own. "I'm quite sure this is a big issue because for a very long time the community has yearned for a stadium that represents Bradford," he said.
Arrington says he doesn't envision engaging in a lobbying effort to make sure the vote sticks, but says he would be happy to show up at a board meeting to clarify and expound on his father's accomplishments.
Arrington's father was the first African-American to get elected to the school board. Olen Arrington, Jr. also served as pastor at 2nd Baptist Church---just a few blocks from the high school---and was employed as a school principal just south of the border while living in Kenosha. He died six years ago of cancer.
Ironically, one of the criticisms of the Olen Arrington selection was that Arrington had little to do with Bradford High School or its football program. But Arrington's grandson is a Bradford junior who's on the varsity roster, and over the years. Arrington was a big supporter of Red Devils football, according to his son.
Tuesday night’s vote occurred with two board members absent. One of them, Daniel Wade, said in an email that he would’ve preferred naming the stadium after the school mascot.
The three board members who favored naming the stadium after Olen Arrington didn’t immediately respond to email queries Wednesday as to whether they would support a reconsideration of the motion.
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