C5.01 - Approve the Naming of the Chamberlain High School Softball Field (Chief of Schools, Administration and Leadership Development)

The students, staff, faculty and supporting community of Chamberlain High School respectfully recommend that the Chamberlain High School softball field be named after Coach Bobby Diez, coach of the Lady Chiefs, educator and mentor.

Coach Diez managed the Lady Chiefs from 1992 to 2019. During his 28-year tenure, the Lady Chiefs earned over 600 wins and made the playoffs 26 times, with nine Regional Championships. In addition, he led the Lady Chiefs to the Finals four times resulting in the team winning the 1999 and 2015 runner-up trophy and the 2003 and 2012 Florida State Championships.

Bobby Diez is not only a softball coach but also a real life coach and mentor to countless students. Known for being a man with unwavering, high standards, he connected with his players on a very real level. He expected his players to shine in the classroom and to be positive representatives of Chamberlain High. His teams worked hard to impress him and themselves. Many students have gone on, with his guidance, to play ball at the college level. They continue to keep in touch with him post graduation. Coach Diez took pride in the softball program and even maintained the fields on his own time because he wanted his athletes to have a sense of pride in their home field.

Bobby Diez's commitment and dedication to Chamberlain High School, his students and athletes is unparalleled and he is most deserving of this honor.

Chamberlain softball has been a county powerhouse solely on the efforts of Bobby Diez, his teams and coaches. The state and county titles earned by the Lady Chiefs mean a great deal to Chamberlain Nation. Coach Diez is a source of pride and inspiration and his leadership on and off the field made a significant impact on Chamberlain High School and the community.  Naming the Chamberlain High School softball field after him would help the Chiefs and the community recognize his outstanding accomplishments and contributions to the lives of countless students.

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The Chamberlain High School softball field will be named Bobby Diez Field.

* Develop, recognize, and reward employees

It is recommended that the Hillsborough County School Board approve the naming of the softball field at Chamberlain High School "Bobby Diez Field" in honor of retired softball coach Bobby Diez.

Dr. Tracolya Clinch, Chief of High School, Tracolya.clinch@hcps.net, (813) 272-4443

The approval of this request has no direct financial impact. Costs associated with signage and other softball related materials will be funded from the athletic booster club budget and additional fund raising may be sought out by the school.  

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