Proposal is Tony Romo Field at Don Dalton Stadium
By Jason Arndt
Editor
Tony Romo’s path to National Football League stardom included guidance from legendary Burlington High School football coach Don Dalton.
Dalton, who passed away in 2017, notched more than 200 career wins at BHS with only 57 losses spanning four decades from 1968 to 1995.
“Don Dalton was probably the biggest legend to come through here,” Romo told the Standard Press during his annual football camp in 2017. “Personally, I don’t play football if it wasn’t for Don Dalton.”
Three years earlier, the Burlington Area School District recognized Dalton, dedicating the football field in his name.
Now, BASD could add Romo’s name to the mix, calling the football venue Tony Romo Field at Don Dalton Stadium under a proposal presented to the School Board on Monday.
BASD recognizes two circumstances in which the district can grant naming rights, including naming rights in recognition, according to BHS Athletic Director Eric Plitzuweit.
“By recognition, it is based on Tony Romo’s achievement as a distinguished alumni and his continued generosity of giving back in service to the greater Burlington community,” he said.
Romo, who graduated BHS in 1998, became the first Burlington High School student-athlete to earn All-State honors in three sports.
Along with football, the other sports were basketball and golf.
He later attended Eastern Illinois University, where he had his number retired, before joining the Dallas Cowboys in 2003 as an undrafted free agent.
“As a professional athlete and a quarterback for one of the most high profile teams in the NFL, Tony put together, statistically, one of the greatest careers in the NFL,” Plitzuweit said.
Romo retired as the Cowboys career leader in passing touchdowns and passing yards. He also established an NFL record of most consecutive road games with at least one touchdown pass at 41, among other achievements.
Plitzuweit said Romo has continued to give back to the Burlington community through his annual football camp.
The football camp, which started more than a decade ago, draws in hundreds of youth to Burlington.
“Tony Romo Field, this will be our way – the Burlington Area School District’s way – of recognizing Tony for his achievement as a high school, collegiate and professional athlete,” said Plitzuweit.
Romo, who has since become a television football analyst for CBS, has earned praise from critics for his uncanny ability to predict plays from the booth, Plitzuweit added.
Since joining CBS in 2017, Romo called a Super Bowl and received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Sports Personality.
In addition, Romo has contributed to the Dallas community, supporting charitable organizations through speaking engagements, promotions and networking as well as serving on the Executive Advisory Council at the George W. Bush Presidential Center.
Romo, however, continued to put Burlington on the map with the release of a documentary titled “Now or Never: A Tony Romo Story.”
“Our community is honored to have Tony Romo call Burlington his hometown,” Plitzuweit said. “He is one of the most prestigious graduates of Burlington High School.”
The School Board, meanwhile, plans to consider the name change at a March 9 meeting.
Board President Roseann Hahn, who knows many people who come to Burlington for Romo’s football camp, said she is receptive to the idea.
-
-
-
-
-