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School Naming Salvatore J. "Red" Verderame

The School Facilities Naming Committee Ballot

This form is used for individuals to input their qualifications and to vote regarding the proposed school property naming listed below.

A group of New Haven Public School stakeholders has asked that the floor of the Floyd Little Athletic Center be named in honor of Salvatore J. "Red" Verderame.

If a major portion of a school building or school grounds (media center, auditorium gymnasium, field, etc.) is proposed to be named after an individual, that person shall have attained local or national prominence via significant contributions in any field of endeavor. Such contributions or the significance of their place in history shall be clearly established beyond the generation of the contribution. An individual so recognized shall no longer be active in his/her career. Further, the individual for whom a portion of a school building or school grounds is to be named must be shown to have broad-based, long-term impact to the school district community.Below is a Bio Sketch of Salvatore J. "Red" Verderame for your review.Salvatore J. "Red" Verderame was an international basketball coach and highly innovative school administrator. Born in New Haven Sept. 3, 1926, he was the son of the late Salvatore & Mary G. Moricco Verderame. He was the husband of Ann Frattini Verderame. After coaching at Quinnipiac College from 1951 to 1953, he became the basketball coach at Wilbur Cross High School in New Haven from 1953 to 1966, compiling a record of 254 wins and only 35 losses. His teams won 5 consecutive District League Championships: 4 consecutive State championships and 2 New England High School Tournament championships. He served as Vice-Principal at Hillhouse High School from 1969 to 1984 and Principal from 1984 to 1990.

He undertook many foreign coaching assignments as a foreign service officer with the U.S. State Department between 1963 and 1983, including Africa and the Middle East. His love for Africa inspired him to establish The International Ambassadors for Education program which enabled high school students the opportunity to travel the continent. He was also active in the Special Olympics International Committee. He was awarded the Gold Key by the Conn. Sports Writers Alliance in 1981; was Carmine Criscuolo "Man of the Year" in 1986 and was elected to the CT High School Coaches Hall of Fame in 1987; New England Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003 and Wilbur Cross High School Hall of Fame in 2005. He was also the author of several books relating to basketball and served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II.

It has been proposed that, to honor Salvatore J. "Red" Verderame, the floor of the Floyd Little Athletic Center be named in honor of him.

 

Eligibility to Vote:

  • Currently working in the New Haven district or a district retiree.
  • 18 years or older

Please follow the required guidelines below and provide all the required information to submit your nomination.

Thank you for participating.

Policy Service
The Connecticut Reference Manual
of School Board Policies, Regulations, and Bylaws

7551

New Construction

Naming Facilities

The naming of school buildings, major portions of buildings, or school grounds is the responsibility of the Board of Education.  In fulfilling this responsibility, the Board will make every effort to respect community preferences.  Such names should be clearly identifying, widely known, and recognized.

It is the policy of the Board to name school buildings as close as possible to the time construction begins in order to lessen the confusion about the new schools.

When naming new buildings, major portions of buildings, or school grounds, the Board shall formally identify the need for a naming process for the identified school locations, as well as criteria it wishes to be considered in the process.

When naming a school building, major portions of school buildings, or school grounds the Board shall direct the Superintendent to establish a committee, subject to Board approval, comprised of the Superintendent or designee, the building Principal, faculty member, parents, community members, and, if appropriate, students to consider name recommendations for consideration by the Board.  Opportunities for public input must be made available prior to the committee's recommendation to the Board.  Such opportunities for public input must be publicly announced in newspapers and on the District website.

When naming new buildings, the committee shall have representation by the community members that is representative of the entire school district.  The committee shall propose a list of names to the school board of not more than five (5) names for Board consideration.

If a major portion of a school building or school grounds (media center, auditorium gymnasium, field, etc.) is proposed to be named after an individual, that person shall have attained local or national prominence via significant contributions in any field of endeavor.  Such contributions or the significance of their place in history shall be clearly established beyond the generation of the contribution.  Individuals so recognized shall no longer be active in his/her career.  Further, the individual for whom a portion of a school building or school grounds is to be named must be shown to have broad-based, long-term impact to the school district community.

Collections of works, memorials, or other major gifts to the school district may be acknowledged and named by individual schools, subject to the district's policy and procedures for accepting donations.  Prior to accepting such donations and naming, a plan for maintenance and upkeep must be identified and presented to the school Board.

The Board retains the right to make final determination in the naming of buildings, major portions of school buildings, or school grounds.  This policy not withstanding, it is the intent of the Board that naming of portions of the building and school grounds occur infrequently and on a limited based.

Required information to submit nomination

Floyd Little Athletic Center floor naming in honor of Salvatore J. "Red" Verderame