North Texas made the change official on Thursday, cutting a ribbon to rename the playing surface at Norma Knobel Hunt Stadium as John Hedlund Field. Hedlund stood there with oversized scissors as the university put his name on the field for good.
That gave Thursday night a different kind of weight long before the final score arrived. North Texas beat Nelson 10-0, and the celebration around the naming was folded into a game that quickly became one-sided against an NAIA opponent.
Hedlund called it a special night for him and his family and thanked Jared and the board of regents for making it happen. He said the honor belonged to more than one person, adding that it was for every player who chose to come to UNT, wear the green and white, and for the coaches and staff who worked under him.
The naming now places his identity in a permanent spot at the stadium, backed by a scoreboard sign and another sign on the backside of Norma Knobel Hunt Stadium. North Texas also had players wear shirts honoring the 16 conference titles won under Hedlund, turning the night into a tribute to a long run that stretched across far more than one game.
The only thing left unresolved is when the decision was made. The ceremony happened on Thursday, the name is now in place, and Hedlund said it will be great to return for games and see it in a few places. That means future visits to North Texas games will carry the full meaning of the tribute, while Thursday’s score will fade.
