Oakwood - This Friday, the Oakwood High School football field will have a new name. The athletic program will christen the field with its new name, "Marty McFarland Field" before the Comets kick off their week seven game against visiting Hoopeston-Armstrong.
The dedication ceremony will take place at 6:30p with the unveiling of the sign and former Oakwood football head coach Marty McFarland receiving a commemorative plaque.
Coach Mac, who will be presented a plaque by Oakwood Superintendent Larry Maynard and Oakwood School Board President Randy Smith, started his teaching and football coaching career at Oakwood High School in 1970. He later went on to coach girls track (1980-1992), during which he won five straight conference titles, and he was an assistant wrestling coach from 1978-1985.
During his 23-year career guiding the OHS football program, McFarland won 126 games, four conference championship titles, and led the Comets to nine IHSA playoffs appearances. He is also the only coach of the school's football program to reach the state quarterfinals. A 1998 Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame inductee, he was selected as an assistant coach for the annual East/West All-Star football game during his final season with the Comets.
