Excellent. From Sean Parsons, Athens City School Board At tonight's ACSD School Board Meeting, the board unanimously passed direction to begin the process to name the Athens High School football stadium after our alumni, Joe Burrow. I was touched to sit next to board member Roger A. Brown as he made his last motion as a board member - with tears in his eyes - to approve this action. Roger has served the school district for 16 years and tonight was his final meeting. When Joe Burrow was on the national stage giving his speech after receiving the Heisman, he chose not to speak about himself and his success but rather about our community and the challenges we face. Shortly thereafter, over $450,000 was raised for the Athens County Food Pantry. --- The Athens City School District Board of Education hereby recognizes and congratulates Athens High School Class of 2015 graduate Joe Burrow for his most recent accomplishment in winning college football’s highest honor, the Heisman Trophy. Mr. Burrow was a member of the 2014 Athens High School Football team that had a record of 14-1, with the only loss being in the OHSAA Championship on a last minute touchdown by the opposing team. Joe was honored at the end of the 2014 season as Ohio Mr. Football, as well as the Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year. After graduating from Athens High School, Joe Burrow attended college and played football for The Ohio State University. Upon his graduation from Ohio State, he transferred as a graduate student to the Louisiana State University with two remaining years of eligibility. At LSU, Joe led his team to a 10-3 record in his first season, with key wins against Auburn and Ole Miss, as well as a Fiesta Bowl win over the University of Central Florida. The LSU tigers ended the 2018-2019 season ranked #6 in the final AP poll. In 2019, Joe has led the LSU Tigers to an undefeated regular season, a #1 ranking in the AP poll, and an opportunity to play for the National Championship. On Saturday, December 15, 2019 Joe Burrow was named the winner of the Heisman Trophy with the most first place votes of any previous winner. As part of Joe's acceptance speech he humbly recognized Athens and Southeast Ohio and the many challenges faced by families in our region. His comments instigated a fundraising campaign that has resulted in over $400,000 for the Athens County Food Bank, thousands of dollars donated to the Athens High School Boosters, donations to Athens County Children's Services via the Giving Tree project, and donations to other area governmental and non-profit support agencies. In recognition of Mr. Burrow’s accomplishments, the Athens City School District Board of Education does hereby direct the Superintendent and the Athens High School Administration to take such actions as are necessary to name the Athens High School Football Stadium the Joe Burrow Stadium and to work with the Athens High School Booster Club and the Athens High School Bulldog Blitz to plan a ceremony to celebrate this honor. As read by Kim Kemplin Goldsberry to the board, December 19, 2019
