Six weeks before Philomath High’s softball team played its first game, first-year coach Kari Jaques set plans in motion for an idea that she holds close to her heart. She wanted the team to play its home games on Warrior Field.
“As an Indigenous woman, I was always taught that a Warrior differs from a fighter because they remember who they fight for and why,” Jaques wrote in a Feb. 3 letter to Superintendent of Schools Susan Halliday. “The idea that we are a part of a bigger and far reaching Warrior Nation, past, present, and future, is why I would like to honor our field with the name and symbolism of ‘Warrior Field’ to honor all that walked on our field before us and who will walk on it after us.”
The Philomath School District has a policy on the naming of facilities, which gives the board the final decision. Halliday brought the issue to the School Board in March and among the issues discussed was making sure the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians would give its approval.
The Siletz Tribal Council at an April 17 meeting passed a resolution on a 9-0 vote to approve Philomath High’s request. And this past Monday during a joint meeting at Kings Valley Charter School, the Philomath School Board approved the move.
Jaques worked this past week with the tribal council to put together a naming ceremony. It has been scheduled for May 14 during the team’s final regular-season home game against Newport. It will also double as the team’s senior night.
Jaques said the game with Newport made the most sense.
“There are more tribal connections with Newport (compared with other opponents),” Jaques said. “There are quite a few tribal families that go to Newport.”
The naming ceremony with members of the Siletz tribe will begin at 4:30 p.m. on that Wednesday.
A five-year agreement between the school district and Siletz tribe for the use of Warriors and Braves (the middle school’s nickname/mascot) will expire in November 2027.
A field naming committee, which has been put together to review the request, met April 25 and made a recommendation to the School Board to name the facility Warrior Field.
“Naming the softball field, ‘Warrior Field,’ honors the many contributions the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians have made to Philomath High School and continues the Warrior tradition,” committee co-chairs Mark Henderson and Mike Hood wrote in an April 28 letter.
Prior to the committee meeting, a handful of comments were received through a community survey that suggested alternative names. Two of those proposed referenced early pioneers — Reuben and Mary Jane Shipley (former slaves who donated land in the 1860s to help establish Mount Union Cemetery) and Addie Dickman Miller (acting superintendent of Philomath College for a stretch in the 1880s).
Another citizen suggested that it simply be called Philomath Field with comments in strong opposition to the use of the Warrior mascot and logo. One parent commented that their child, who is currently a seventh grader, will not be allowed to play sports at PHS “if the headdress mascot continues to be used” because it conflicts with their family values and morals.
One comment was received in strong support of Warrior Field.