Granada Hills High to Proceed With Stadium Renaming

John Elway avoided the sack after all.

After taking a two-week timeout to ease the concerns of community critics, Granada Hills High School officials said Thursday they will proceed with a plan to remove founding Principal Bryce Schurr’s name from the campus football stadium and replace it with Elway’s, a Granada alum and quarterback of the Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos.

The school said it will honor Schurr’s memory by painting his name on both sides of the gymnasium and installing his bust in the lobby.

A series of meetings this week among school administrators, students, project boosters and critics assuaged fears that Schurr would be overlooked in a rush to celebrate Elway, a 1979 graduate. A June 5 dedication ceremony is on again after being temporarily postponed during the discussions.

Advocates of the name change said they never intended to banish Schurr from campus and that the controversy had been exaggerated.

“People didn’t have the full story,” said Pete Glowaski, a longtime Granada Hills booster club member. “We intended to promote Schurr, give him more recognition.”

Project members always planned to install a plaque or other memorial to Schurr, Principal Kathleen Rattay said. The fate of a sign atop the stadium press box reading “Bryce Schurr Stadium”--a gift from the class of 1972--is unclear.

The school expects to unveil a $10,000 scoreboard with Elway’s name at the dedication ceremony. Private donations and community fund-raising paid for the project, which is awaiting final approval from the school district.

Rattay said she hoped the increased community involvement resulting from the sign controversy would help expand the tribute to Schurr, who served as principal from the school’s opening in 1959 until his death in 1971.

“We’re excited to have people who were not involved before, meeting to help raise funds,” Rattay said.

Added Lee Alpert, an Encino attorney who had opposed the change but now supports it: “We’re moving forward in a positive way, trying to maximize recognition of the principal and the graduate.”

Community members suggested painting “Bryce Schurr Athletic Complex” on two sides of the gym. A faded “Granada” is now painted on the side facing the stadium. The graphics would cost $7,000, which has yet to be raised.

Critics had argued the school was proceeding without sufficient community input. They said the renaming would send the message that professional athletes were more important than educators. Before the debate, many of the 3,400 students on campus were only dimly aware of Schurr.

“A lot more people know about him now,” said Eric Furlow, 16, of Northridge, who supports the renaming. “They’re talking about him.” Student council members have discussed how to increase Schurr’s profile through the project, said Cori Aronson, 18, of Granada Hills.