Press release from Asheville City Schools:
In February 2020, just before the pandemic began, the Asheville City Board of Education unanimously approved a community-initiated proposal to name the Asheville High School/SILSA athletic field “The Eugene Hammonds Athletic Field.”
Board Policy Code 9300 guided this significant endeavor, ensuring that any naming opportunity/proposal positively reflects on the district’s students, staff, and community. The field, which supports football, soccer, field hockey, lacrosse, and the AHS Marching Band, among other activities, is located in Memorial Stadium on the northwest corner of the scenic campus.
We are excited to honor the lifelong commitment of Coach Eugene Hammonds this Friday night, October 21st, at approximately 6:15 PM on the field. This is just before the kick-off of the final home football game of the regular season for our Cougars.
Coach Eugene Hammonds was an accomplished student-athlete himself. He has served thousands of students during his 50-plus years as a teacher, coach, and mentor. He arrived at Asheville High School amid student integration in 1969 and played a crucial role in helping bring unity to the school. He was an Ashville High Teacher for 42 years and served as the Cougar’s Head Baseball Coach for 35 years.
Coach Hammonds currently serves as an assistant football coach for the Cougars. His span of service is over five decades. During his high school football coaching career, he has never missed a Cougar football game, according to legend, including during the pandemic.
A sign will be put up at the field with the new name once certain construction projects are complete at The High.
Interim Superintendent Dr. James Causby and The Asheville City Board of Education Chair James Carter invite our Cougar Community to join us as we honor Coach Hammonds and his continued commitment to our Cougars!
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