Title
Renaming the 5800 block of Oxford Street “Fred Rosenfeld Way” to honor and celebrate the life and legacy of Frederick C. Rosenfeld for his outstanding contributions to youth sports in Philadelphia.
Body
WHEREAS, Frederick C. Rosenfeld, a distinguished and revered track and field coach, passed away on September 5th, 2024 at the age of 79. Mr. Rosenfeld devoted his life to nurturing and guiding young athletes, leaving an indelible mark on the athletic community of Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Rosenfeld's illustrious career is highlighted by an extraordinary 51 Philadelphia Public League Championships-40 as a head coach and 11 as a co-head coach or assistant coach-demonstrating unparalleled dedication and excellence in coaching; and
WHEREAS, Under his leadership, the teams at Overbrook and Central High Schools secured a remarkable 17 Public League track and field titles and 23 cross-country championships, with his tenure at Akiba Hebrew Academy yielding four additional cross-country championships; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Rosenfeld's tenure at Overbrook High School was marked by an unprecedented string of 14 consecutive Public League Track Championships from 1972 to 1985, and his 1988 cross-country team achieved the only perfect score in Public League Championship history; and
WHEREAS, His remarkable influence extended beyond the local scene as he was honored as the Pennsylvania Track Coach of the Year in 1989, 1998, and 2004, served as an Honorary Referee for the Penn Relays in 1991, and contributed his expertise to the 1993 Maccabiah Games in Israel; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Rosenfeld's exceptional coaching has significantly shaped the careers of many distinguished athletes, including Jon Drummond, Paul Jordan, Jason Grimes, and David Moore, each of whom achieved extraordinary success in their respective athletic disciplines; and
WHEREAS, After retiring, Mr. Rosenfeld continued to support the sport he loves by serving as a PIAA Cross-Country and Track and Field Official and contributing to the Penn Relays as an official; and
WHEREAS, His unwavering commitment to youth sports and his dedication to the community exemplify the highest standards of community leadership and service; and
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Renaming the 5800 block of Oxford Street “Fred Rosenfeld Way” to honor and celebrate the life and legacy of Frederick C. Rosenfeld for his outstanding contributions to youth sports in Philadelphia.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this Resolution be presented to Mr. Rosenfeld’s friends and family, in recognition and awe of this legislative body to commemorate Mr. Rosenfeld's legacy.
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