HFCS Football Field To Be Renamed

by Bea Peterson
9/11/2001 will be remembered and the HFCS football field will be renamed during brief ceremonies before Friday night’s first home football game of the season against Hoosic Valley that begins at 7 pm.
Three months ago the School Board voted to change Panther Field to the Ken Baker Field. Coach Baker was loved and respected by his players, his students and his community. He died in early January 2008 at age 70 while playing basketball.
Coach Baker came to HFCS in 1972. His first year he taught Physical Education and coached Cross Country, JV baseball and wrestling. In 1973 he began coaching football and wrestling. During his 17 years at HFCS his wrestling record was 192-46-5. He led the Panther football teams to four Section II Super Bowls. His 1981 team was 13-0 for the season and won the Division III title. His HF football record was 87-33-5. Coach Baker was inducted into the NYS Football Hall of Fame and the Section II Wrestling Hall of Fame.
HFCS Board President Dave Sutton said, “I hope many of his former players will come out for the renaming of the field.”
In the final phase of the three years of renovations to HFCS the tower system and connecting bleachers will be taken down at the end of the season. By next year a new press box, with an appropriate Ken Baker sign, will be in place, along with handicapped accessible bleachers. The old bleachers will be set up across the field. A temporary sign will be put up this season noting the renamed field.