Field at Cardinal Stadium named for retiring coach John Roderique

The football field where John Roderique stood out as a player and where he coached 13 championship teams will now be named for him.

The Webb City R-7 School Board on Tuesday approved the naming of John Roderique Field at Cardinal Stadium. The vote was unanimous except that William Roderique, John Roderique’s brother, abstained.

No decision was made on how the field name will appear, but some board members said it should be visible when driving by the stadium.

The board adopted a naming policy in April.

Ryan McFarland, who is succeeding John Roderique as head football coach, made the following proposal to justify naming the field for his mentor.

I am writing this proposal on behalf of the Webb City Football Program. Our football coaching staff and players would like to propose the naming of the football game field to, “John Roderique Field” at Cardinal Stadium.

Coaching career

As you are all well aware, recently retired, Coach John Roderique finished his career with an astounding 315-35 win/loss record, he won 13 state championships, made the finals 15 times and posted 10 undefeated seasons. Coach Roderique’s 13 state titles are the most by any coach in Missouri State High School Activities Association history, surpassing Jefferson City’s Pete Adkins’ nine state titles. Coach Roderique is in the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, the Missouri Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame, and the Joplin Sports Authority Sports Hall of Fame.

College playing career

As a player at Pittsburg State University, John Roderique was a two-time All-America linebacker, 1988 (NAIA) and 1989 (NCAA). He finished his career with 365 career tackles. Coach Roderique was inducted into the Pittsburg State University Athletics Hall of Fame with the Class of 1999.

High school playing career

He was a three-sport athlete in four years at Webb City High School, including football, basketball, and track and field (shot put & discus). In his senior year, 1985, he was on the football team that made the state playoffs for the first time in the high school’s history, losing in the semi-final game. He was named an all-state linebacker.

As a Webb City High School alum, former player and assistant for Coach Roderique I request you consider this proposal, and that this proposal is accepted and completed before the next game is played on the football field at Cardinal Stadium.

Webb City Schools – Facility naming guidelines

The naming of district facilities is a function of the board of education. The board may choose to select a committee for advice on the name of the building and facilities, or may choose to make a decision without the selection of a committee. The superintendent or the superintendent’s designee will act as chairperson of this committee. The superintendent or the superintendent’s designee will be responsible for soliciting names from interested patrons, board members, school personnel and students and will prepare, for approval by the board, a timetable for the naming process. The board of education will make the final decision in the naming of any new or existing building or facility.

Existing Facilities and Additions

Once a building or facility has been named, that name will remain with the building or facility unless changed by the board. Renaming facilities may also be considered using a board-appointed committee as utilized by naming a new facility. Facility names may be changed when a specific program or theme no longer supports the objectives of the facility, as additions or renovations are made to an existing facility, or upon request by the local community and of the staff and students who learn and work in the facility. Criteria that should be considered in the naming process may include the history and culture of the property as well as the shared vision of the petitioners. The board of education has the final decision on whether the name of any existing facility will be changed.

Plaques

The board may have plaques installed on new construction projects or renovations to existing facilities reflecting the name of the facility; the names of the board members in office at the time the project was approved; the name of the superintendent serving at the time the project was approved; and the names of the architect, general contractor and others as determined by the board. The plaque will also include the date the project was completed.

The board may also approve commemorative plaques or insignia to be installed in the building or on the grounds that recognize the tradition, culture and history of the district.