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District renames soccer field in Hoffbuhr's honor By KRIS HENRY Dennis Hoffbuhr had an idea of what his final presentation would be Thursday afternoon. That inkling still didn't stop Hoffbuhr from becoming emotionally overwhelmed by the gesture. In recognition of Hoffbuhr's 15 years of dedicated service, the departing 53-year-old Medford school board member was recognized by the district with the renaming of the varsity soccer field in his honor. Having already been given the customary plaque and handshake, Hoffbuhr, his wife Jeanie and members of the school board got on a bus for the final presentation of the day. As the bus pulled into the North Medford High parking lot, Hoffbuhr realized the destination and said to his wife, "It's the soccer field." That insight didn't help choke back a few tears when it became official as the Hoffbuhrs unveiled a carved-out black marble sign prominently displaying "Hoffbuhr Field" on a concrete mold. "Normally you expect a plaque when you leave a board like this. In no way did I ever expect anything like this," said Dennis Hoffbuhr. The soccer field had been known as District Field or Varsity Field before Thursday's announcement. "I always thought we should name the soccer field after somebody, I just didn't think it would be me," said Hoffbuhr. Medford Superintendent Steve Wisely said there could be no other choice. "We didn't have the right person until now," said Wisely. "Nobody else on the school board or in the district deserves this more than Dennis does." Wisely credited Hoffbuhr with the formation of the soccer field, as well as several other projects throughout the district the former two-term board chairman conjured up from 1986-2001. "There's nobody more creative than Dennis Hoffbuhr," said Wisely. "He sees things before they appear. He could see the soccer field here and the track over there and the parking lot. He's a visionary." Having the soccer field named in his behalf proved particularly close to Hoffbuhr's heart. "It's especially meaningful for me because we worked so hard to build the facility and my kids played soccer," he said. The Hoffbuhrs have five children, with all four boys playing soccer at varying levels. Tyler Hoffbuhr was part of the South Medford High boys team that won a state championship in 1997. Dennis Hoffbuhr also coached soccer for 13 years, mostly at the recreational level. "Soccer is near and dear to my heart," said Hoffbuhr. "I was a high school football player but my kids played soccer so I learned to enjoy the game. It's a neat sport for kids." Thursday's announcement followed Hoffbuhr's final school board meeting. He opted not to run for another term after 15 years of service. Reach reporter Kris Henry at 776-4488, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.