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To preserve history and honor a man that they believe made an impact on the Warsaw community, a group of former Warsaw High School football players is backing a proposal to transfer the name Fisher Field to the new athletic complex at Warsaw Community High School.
County Treasurer Kent Adams and Bob Lichtenwalter, more commonly known as "Coach" to local residents, are heading the group that will petition the school board seeking the name transfer.
Lichtenwalter was the varsity quarterback for the late George Fisher in 1941, while Adams was the Tigers' quarterback in 1951, which was Fisher's 26th and final season coaching the Tigers.
"It's a way to preserve history," said Adams. "It's meaningful for us that went through that time and for the future."
Fisher has 103 wins as head football coach of the Tigers and is the school's all-time winningest football coach.
The new field at WCHS, which hosted its first game Friday, is currently called Tigers Athletic Complex.
Fisher Field was originally where Central Park is now located. It took the name Fisher Field during ceremonies Sept. 19, 1952.
The name was later transfered to its current location at Lakeview Middle School, formerly Warsaw Community High School.
Fisher was a Big Ten wrestling champion for the Indiana Hoosiers and played in the first East-West Shrine football game in California in 1925.
Lichtenwalter and Adams said Fisher was legendary for his work in the community and for his work with youth during the Great Depression, World War II and the 1950s when he served in the Indiana House of Representatives.
The group is also supporting a move to honor former Warsaw track athletes Max Truex and Randy Heisler.
Truex graduated from Warsaw in 1954 and was a state and national long distance record holder. He attended the University of Southern California and set a new American record in the 10,000 meters during the 1960 Olympics in Rome. Truex died of Parkinson's Disease in 1991.
Heisler graduated from WCHS in 1980 and is currently the men's and women's head track coach at Indiana University in Bloomington.
Heisler was one of the top U.S. discus throwers for more than a decade. He represented the U.S. in international competition. He was a member of the 1988 Olympic team and of two world championship teams.
Heisler is a member of both the Indiana and NCAA Track and Field Hall of Fame.
In his five years as coach of the Hoosiers, the women's track team has won three Big Ten championships.
Those interested in signing the petition are asked to contact Adams or Lichtenwalter.
Adams can be reached at 574-267-1727, while Lichtenwalter can be reached at 574-265-6566.
