He was extremely respected as an educator.”

Julie Bisbano, former student of Mr. Sullivan

PORTSMOUTH — After hearing from former players and students of the late Portsmouth High School teacher and coach Raymond C. Sullivan, the School Committee Tuesday agreed to form a committee to study a proposal to re-name the PHS turf field after him.

The field has long been named after John F. Kennedy, but would be known as “Ray Sullivan Field” if the Class of 1966 and other supporters got their wish. Mr. Sullivan passed away in December 2015 at the age of 80.

Anyone wishing to serve on the seven-member committee should e-mail Superintendent Ana Riley (rileya@portsmouthschoolsri.org) or Letti Lemoi, administrative assistant (lemoil@portsmouthschoolsri.org). The School Committee is expected to take up the issue again at its June 28 meeting.

On Tuesday, the committee heard from several people, including Drew Bickel, Class of ’69 and quarterback of the Class C championship team. 

Mr. Bickel said Mr. Sullivan met the criteria for renaming a public facility, as the teacher and coach was a local person who had a major impact on the community. 

Julie Bisbano, Class of ’79 and an English teacher at PHS, was a student in Mr. Sullivan’s sociology class as a senior. 

“It was a hard class,” said Ms. Bisbano, “but everyone wanted to be there because of him and his ability to deliver the material in a way that was engaging. He was extremely respected as an educator.”

Raymond J. Sullivan of Newport, one of Mr. Sullivan’s sons, said his father always stressed education above athletics, which is part of Portsmouth High’s legacy.

Committee member John Wojichowski said Mr. Sullivan, who he did not know, sounded like a wonderful person. However, he noted that Richard "Foxy" Marshall was also a popular football coach and wondered if some people might object to not having the turf field named after him. (Mr. Marshall led the PHS varsity football team to six state Super Bowl titles in the '80s and '90s.)

Mr. Wojichowski suggested the PHS field house as an alternate facility bearing Mr. Sullivan’s name in case the turf field is not selected. “It’s not really new anymore, but we call it the new gymnasium because it doesn’t really have a name,” he said.

Ron Winter, another former PHS football player and member of the Class of 1966 who flew in from Michigan to attend the meeting. said his group is always open to suggestions. 

“We want to work with you to do what’s right,” he said.