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City of Elk River Naming Request <br />December 2, 2021 <br />Naming Venue Requested: Two softball fields at Lion John Weicht Park <br />roposed New Name: Sohn Barth Fields <br />John Barth was a teacher, coach and Activities Director at Elk River High <br />School for 34 years. He was a household name throughout the community. <br />He lived in Elk River for many years before buying a home on the <br />Mississippi River just outside the city limits in Big Lake Township. <br />John accomplished much during his years at ERHS but he also spent <br />countless hours volunteering for the community in general and specifically <br />the youth of the community before has passed away in July, 2021. He is a <br />legend in Elk River and should be remembered forever. <br />John played fast -pitch softball, beginning in his junior high years. It was one <br />of his favorite sports to play and he was very good at it. Naming the two <br />softball fields after John seems very fitting. <br />Below is a partial list of his volunteer efforts: <br />Director of the Elk River Boys' Youth Basketball organization for 20 years <br />Served on Elk River youth sports boards in football and baseball <br />Coached boys' youth basketball for 20 years <br />Coached youth football and youth baseball for 10 years each <br />Directed and organized Elk River summer youth basketball camps and <br />leagues <br />Served as an Elk River Big Brother mentor <br />Served as an Elk River YMCA mentor <br />Served at an Elk River Rotarian from 2005-2011 <br />Guest speaker for Rotary and Boy Scout events, attending many fundraisers <br />for endowments <br />Coached several state AAU championship basketball teams, winning the <br />National Championship in 1988 <br />