Celebrating the Renovated Thompson Oval, Dedicating the Del Walden Field

On Saturday, October 18, 2014, Cranbrook Schools will host a special homecoming to celebrate the newly renovated Thompson Oval and formally dedicate Del Walden Field. The field is named in honor of teacher, coach and administrator Del Walden, who retired in 2007 after 41 years of service.

 

Walden was hired as a math teacher and House Master (now known as House Adviser) in the Marquis dormitory at Cranbrook in 1963. Eight years later, he became the Dean of Students and varsity football head coach. He remained dean until 1992, when he was appointed assistant headmaster. Through the years, he stepped forward to serve Cranbrook in myriad other roles: math department chair; head coach of varsity track, wrestling, and golf; athletic director; facilitator for Horizons – Upward Bound; and more. He was also a trusted advisor and counselor to his students and colleagues.

 

“Students felt that Del always knew their innermost thoughts. He was very helpful to them in crisis,” remarked upper school head Charles Shaw. “Faculty also deeply appreciated his sincerity and honesty.”

 

Though the field was named in 2007, there has never been an on-site dedication. Recent renovations – including installation of an all-weather turf field and polyurethane track, bleacher reconstruction, new landscaping and infrastructure, and a pedestrian walkway around the west berm – have created an opportunity to bring alumni and donors together to celebrate the Oval’s past, present and future. This includes Julie and Bobby Taubman C’72, who led the campaign to name the field; and the Giampetroni Family and Cranbrook Kingswood Booster Club, whose generosity made the 2013-14 renovation possible.

 

Highlights of the day include a ceremonial dedication and coin toss at 12:45 pm just before the football game vs. Shrine Catholic High School at 1:00 pm. Del will be on campus to greet fans on alumni courtyard terrace. For more information on the day's events, call the alumni office at (248) 645-3132.