Adrian schools officials now recommend naming Maple Stadium press box after Del Cochran

ADRIAN — A “countless” number of emails and communications have been received by Adrian Public Schools Superintendent Nate Parker ever since the Adrian Board of Education at a July 22 meeting announced it was seeking to honor an Adrian Maple alum, longtime administrator and a lifelong APS supporter.

The proposal earlier this summer was to name the superintendent’s conference room after longtime Adrian Maple Del Cochran, who served in several roles throughout his 30-year career with the Adrian schools.

Since that initial recommendation was reviewed in July, district stakeholders have reached out to Parker and other school officials with comments, feedback and thoughts pertaining to the honorary renaming of the conference room at Adrian High School.

An overall sentiment from those respondents, Parker shared during the school board’s most recent Aug. 26 meeting, is that naming a conference room after Cochran is good but not enough.

Based on the feedback and support from the community, along with several suggestions, Parker said his final recommendation for the Board of Education to consider would be for naming the press box at Maple Stadium after Cochran.

District policy requires two months between the first reading and final approval when naming school facilities. The July board meeting was held on July 22 and final approval will be recommended at the Sept. 23 board meeting. During this two months window of time, the district has encouraged stakeholders to provide comments and feedback regarding the recommendation. Comments are still being received by school officials and can be emailed to nparker@adrian.k12.mi.us.

The district went through a similar process of naming a facility earlier this year when the revamped baseball and softball complexes were dedicated right before the start of the 2024 spring sports season. Adrian’s baseball field was named for its first athletic director, Cliff Nelson. At this year's baseball opening ceremony, the field was rededicated from “Cliff Nelson Field” to “Nelson Field” to acknowledge and honor the contributions of Cliff and his sons, Doug and Dane.

More: Adrian Public Schools to have opening ceremony for baseball and softball seating additions

Parker acknowledged Cochran’s impact on the district continues through the current administrators, teachers and staff at APS who were mentored and led by Cochran.

“His passion for this district, service and leadership have left their mark, and his legacy will continue through all the lives he has impacted,” Parker said in an Aug. 7 news release.

In the initial recommendation, Parker noted Cochran’s service to the district and his impact in his official roles, and as a Maple alum and supporter of both Adrian Public Schools and the Adrian Schools Education Foundation.

Cochran graduated from Adrian Public Schools in 1961. From 1967 to 1999, he was a teacher, coach and administrator at APS. He was principal of Comstock, Prairie and McKinley elementary schools and Adrian Middle School 5-6, now the Drager Early Childhood Center. Cochran also served as vice president of the Adrian High School Alumni Association from 1987-89.

In 1999, he retired from Adrian Public Schools after 32 years of service to the district. Cochran was elected trustee of the APS Board of Education in 2002. He also served as vice president during his time on the board. Cochran was hired as superintendent in 2004 and served the district until 2008.

To inform the school board about his revised recommendation of naming the press box after Cochran, Parker read aloud some of the emails and communications he received at Monday’s board meeting.

“His unwavering commitment to students, staff and the entire school community has made a lasting impact that will be felt for generations to come,” an excerpt from one of the letters said.

“Mr. Cochran is without a doubt the Maple, not just a Maple,” another excerpt read.

“Every sporting event, Del was there. Every school event, Del was there. When we stepped out of line, Del was there. When we succeeded, Del was there. To a man, we are all thankful and indebted for the Maple that Del is. I say all of this to suggest the conference room is not enough,” another letter said.

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Additional comments said Cochran demonstrated “genuine care for the wellbeing and success of every student,” that he was dedicated to nurturing and supporting Adrian’s students, and that he embodies the spirit and values of Adrian Public Schools.

In 2014, Cochran served as interim superintendent during a transition period for the district. He continues to support the district in his retirement and donates financially, and of his time.

“I first met Del when he was named superintendent, and I was appointed to his seat on the APS Board of Education," current school board Vice President Jon Baucher said. “Del was exactly what APS needed to bring the community together and to provide a stabilizing influence on our district."

— Contact reporter Brad Heineman at bheineman@lenconnect.com or follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @LenaweeHeineman.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Adrian Public Schools leaders plan to honor longtime Maple Del Cochran