Following approval by the city council last week, Winslow’s multi-use recreation field will honor the late Valentine Lopez Jr., who passed away in August 2016.
According to Councilman Thomas Chacon Sr., who moved to name the field after Lopez, “Val dedicated 30-plus years of his life to the youth and community of Winslow.”
Lopez’ service included coaching baseball, soccer and other youth sports, as well as volunteering in many other capacities.
His daughter, Debra Lopez noted, “He got involved with Little League as a coach for my oldest brother, then with me, then my two younger brothers and continued the tradition with his youngest grandson as tee ball coach prior to his illness. During those years, he volunteered as a board member, coach, umpire and was a loyal fan of Winslow teams.”
When the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) came to Winslow, Lopez said her dad became very involved as a coach and a board member. “It was common to see him every single Saturday at the field, helping put up the nets in the morning and not leaving until they needed to come down,” she recalled.
Val Lopez was an asset off the field as well, having served on the board of directors of the Winslow AYSO, “in the capacity of field manager, safety officer, head referee and any other role they volunteered him for,” his daughter said. “This year, over 250 of Winslow’s children are involved with the AYSO program. That is a testament to the work that my dad and others have put in to this program for our youth.”
Councilman Chacon added, “He was a positive role model for our youth in the community.”
Both Chacon and Lopez mentioned that his influence went far beyond youth sports. “He was a tenacious worker and instrumental in the sidewalk program for Southside. He was a great force in assisting the Hispanic community and his church,” Chacon said.
Val Lopez also served as a Planning and Zoning commissioner for the city and, “exercised the ability to further unite the community in developing a citizens advisory board to communicate with the city (government) as a unified body on the needs of the culturally diverse population of Southside,” Chacon said.
The council discussed the area to be dedicated, deciding on the fenced property used for softball and soccer located at Maple Street and Cottonwood Avenue. The city will begin the process of placing signage at the multi-use fields as soon as possible, noted City Manager Steve Pauken, and will make plans for a dedication ceremony.
