Gulf Coast High athletic director Jose Arias keeps waiting for Frank Tudryn to walk into his office.
New Sharks coach Andrew Miranti finds himself looking for Tudryn’s car at times.
Gulf Coast quarterback Darby McCormick sees a cart on the high school field and, for a second, he thinks it’s coach T.
And when Pam Tudryn is working at the high school, she expects her husband to come walking down the hall or into her classroom.
But what she’ll miss the most are those Friday nights when Frank Tudryn would be walking on that football sideline, a list of plays in his left hand, his right on his hip.
“We’ve done this for 40 years,” Pam Tudryn said, a tear falling down her face.
Gulf Coast’s Shark Stadium was renamed Thursday night in honor of former coach Frank Tudryn, who died in May after a fight with cancer.
Rain and lightning forced the event to move indoors, but that didn’t dampen the mood in the slightest.
Gulf Coast fans held their annual tailgate and pep rally before the dedication. The band played, cheerleaders kept the gym loud and yells went up for the players and coaches.
Because of football and family obligations, Pam Tudryn’s family couldn’t make the dedication.
As she walked to midcourt, Miranti had his arm around her. She told him she was nervous.
“But when they told me I didn’t have to speak, I relaxed,” she said.
Arias gave her a kiss, tears coming down his face.
“It’s been a tough time here,” he said. “Frank’s meant a lot.”
Besides naming the field after Tudryn – a name which will be shown on the back of the press box – players will have FET on their helmets, which stands for Frank Edward Tudryn.
As the Sharks enter games this season, they will touch a rock before heading onto the field. On the rock will be a plaque with Tudryn’s picture.
For now, there’s a temporary plaque. It states:
A teacher of life both in the classroom and on the field.
A strong leader who pioneered our program and to all he would say, “Finish strong.”
Gulf Coast will christen Tudryn Field with a game against Miami Ferguson tonight.