Framingham High Field To Honor Former Math Teacher, Soccer Coach

The athletic turf field behind Framingham High School will now be known as the Phil Read Field.

Read was a math teacher in the Framingham Public Schools for more than 30 years, a former popular girls soccer coach at the high school and is currently the equipment manager at Framingham High's athletic department.

The Framingham School Committee voted unanimously Tuesday night to re-name the field after Read.

The Framingham High faculty, school council and PTO had already unanimously voted to supported the field naming, before it came before the School Committee.

Both Framingham High Principal Michael Welch and Framingham High Athletic Director Gary Doherty submitted letters to the School Committee to approve the request, and Welch spoke before the Committee on Tuesday night.

Read from 1966 to 1998 worked as a math teacher at the Fuller, Farley and Walsh schools. In the mid 1980s he was the girls soccer coach at Framingham High. 

After his retirement, he began volunteering in the athletic department at Framingham High.

"For he past 16 years, Read has been completing many behind the scenes tasks that would otherwise not get done. From collecting tickets at games to repairing scoreboards and nets, Phil has done it all," wrote Welch to the School Committee.

"No one has given of themselves so unselfishly over a long period of time than Phil Read," wrote Doherty.

A Salute to Framingham honoree in 2000, Read has been the equipment manager for 15+ years at the high school, timekeeper for basketball and girls lacrosse games and ticket collect at football games, wrote Doherty. 

Read has driven to school "to retrieve a working scoreboard when the one at the field is down," wrote Doherty. And, Read has "lined the softball field before games" and "set up the soccer field before the season." 

Read has "driven to Home Depot countless times to buy a screw or bolt to fix a broken piece of equipment," wrote Doherty.

"There are so many more examples of Phil Read's work ethic but he did it all without pay," wrote Doherty. "Phil just wants to help, he has been a staunch defender of girls' sports and has filled any role necessary to help our department function and ensure a quality experience for the kids and coaches alike."

"Phil continues to bring a smile and a sense of humor every day to all those players, coaches and parents that interact with sports at Framingham High School," wrote Welch. "His contributions and unselfish volunteer work are a valuable example for others."

Framingham School Committee Chair Beverly Hugo said she asked one of her sons about Read and he said Read has a "sincere love for the school and the kids he serves" and it is "rare to find someone who gives so much to the community for so little" and that he has "earned the respect of all."

A date for the field dedication was not announced at the Tuesday night meeting.