School District to Rename Softball Field in Honor of Former Coach Pat Feely

The softball field at Burnsville High School will soon be known as Feely Field. Last Thursday, the District 191 Board of Education opted to rename the field in honor of long-time softball coach Pat Feely. 

Very few facilities in ISD 191 have been named after notable people, but Feely is worthy of an exception to the rule, supporters said.

"I have had the privilege of knowing him. The policy talks about having local prominence and making a significant contribution and Pat Feely certainly fills that," said Vicki Roy, a former school board member. "With this early spring, I suspect if you went out there right now you'd see work has been done on the field. That's Pat."  

Feely is a 20-year veteran of the sports program at Burnsville High, which makes him the longest tenured varsity softball coach in the school's history. Under his leadership, the team won six Lake Conference Championships, three section titles and two state championships. After coaching the varsity team, Pat continued to coach the 9th grade team, compiling an 87-5 record.

Stats and state championships are not Feely's only legacy, however.

"What distinguishes Pat from other successful coaches is the impact he had on the girls whom played for him," District officials wrote in a memo to the board. "Pat is remembered, not for his win loss record, but for how he connected with his players insisting on high expectations and strong character."

The idea first came about last spring, when BHS Principal Dave Helke suggested renaming the field in Feely's honor during a school board meeting. In keeping with board policy, the board convened a small panel — the Facility Naming Advisory Committee — to consider the matter. The committee met on March 6, 2012. The committee was unanimous in its endorsement of the plan.

Feely still maintains a regular presence at BHS, even though he is no longer coaching. He logs many hours as a volunteer by supporting the BHS softball program by mentoring new coaches, providing help during practices and games and meticulously seeing to the upkeep the softball field.

Pat Feely Field is just one of many district assets that have been formally renamed, such as the Mraz Center, Pate Stadium, Hansen Field and the Jerry Kivi Library at Rahn Elementary School.