School Committee Approves Schettini Library Media Center, Darrin Wrestling Room

Student athletes at Reading Memorial High School won’t play on the John Hollingsworth Field at any time in the near future, though wrestlers will practice in the Thomas Darrin Wrestling room and most students will study in the Patrick A. Schettini Jr. Library Media Center.

The school committee voted Monday to approve two of the three facilities naming recommendations forwarded to it by a sub committee, which began its process with seven total recommendations. 

John Hollingsworth Field

The committee that it name the high school’s main field after former football coach John Hollingsworth. The committee worried that doing so would recognize one single coach over any number of equally deserving coaches and could send the wrong message to students.

Patrick A. Schettini Jr. Library Media Center

The committee unanimously approved the recommendation that it name the high school’s library media center after . The committee’s vote followed debate studded with warm memories of the late superintendent.

“I think Mr. Schettini, in every sense of the phrase, dedicated his life to the well-being of students,” said committee chairman Chris Caruso.

Other committee members said they found the nomination fitting because Schettini embraced the “full student,” and libraries have become a place for learning across all subjects.

Committee Member Lisa Gibbs added that she found the nomination particularly apt because, during construction, Schettini “always lit up” when he entered the area where the library media center would be.

Thomas Darrin Wrestling Room

Despite a dissenting vote, the committee approved a measure to name Reading Memorial High Schools’ room after former wrestling coach and teacher, Thomas Darrin.

Vice Chairman Charles Robinson said he voted against the measure, not because he had any problems with Mr. Darrin, but because he had philosophical reservations about naming a facility in honor someone still living.

Committee member David Michaud said he shared Robinson’s concern, but noted that the district’s policy for naming facilities includes a provision to remove those names if the committee ever feels that it’s necessary. 

While most of the committee supported the motion, a non-voting member voiced the strongest support.

Student representative said that he “personally had the pleasure of being a wrestler under Mr. Darrin” and “it had a large impact” on him.