AUSD has opened a 30-day public comment period on a proposal to name the scoreboard in Alameda High School’s new gym after Richard Bullock, Sr., a longtime advocate for youth sports in Alameda.
Bullock, who was born in 1938 and died in 2022, lived in Alameda his entire life and was active in both school and city athletics. He lettered in baseball and basketball at Alameda High School (AHS), played ARPD basketball and men’s softball, coached Catholic Youth Organization basketball and Babe Ruth baseball, and served as the president of AHS Athletic Boosters. He was also a longtime announcer for AHS softball, football, and women’s basketball.
Richard Bullock Sr. Memorial Fund
“My Dad loved his family, Alameda, and Alameda sports,” Mike Bullock, one of Richard Bullock’s sons, said during public comment on a staff presentation on the proposal at the May 27 Board of Education meeting. “If you lived in Alameda during the last 70 years, he either coached you, played against you, or raised money for you.”
The idea for naming the scoreboard originated with the president of the AHS Athletics Boosters, Andrea Long, in partnership with the Bullock family. The family had asked for donations to the Boosters in lieu of flowers after Bullock’s death. The Boosters created a special fund to receive the donations and Long pledged that it would be “used to do something important,” Long said at the meeting. “I knew that I did not want this to be used just in the general fund. I knew that I wanted something meaningful, impactful, and long-lasting.”
The idea for naming the scoreboard came from the fact that Bullock had been known as the “Voice of the Hornets,” she said.
Comment Period Open until June 24
Naming the scoreboard in memory of Bullock would entail erecting either a decorative “truss” (or frame) or a digital display with the words “Voice of the Hornets” and “In Memory of Richard Bullock, Sr.” written on it. The Boosters will use the Richard Bullock, Sr. Memorial Fund to pay for the display.
Under AUSD Board Policy 7310, AUSD facilities can be named after people who have made significant contributions to the community, state, nation, or world; places (i.e., references to the local geography); or educational/community values.
The Board Policy also mandates that AUSD provide a 30-day public comment period on the proposed naming of a facility (or part of a facility). This public comment period will remain open through June 24, 2025, when the Board will vote on the proposed naming.
Comments on the proposed renaming can be sent to Susan Davis, Senior Manager of Community Affairs via email at [email protected] or via postal mail c/o AUSD, 2060 Challenger Drive, Alameda, CA 94501.
Susan Davis is the Senior Manager of Community Affairs for the Alameda Unified School District. Reach her at [email protected].
Editorials and Letters to the Editor
All opinions expressed on this page are the author's alone and do not reflect those of the Alameda Post, nor does our organization endorse any views the author may present. Our objective as an independent news source is to fully reflect our community's varied opinions without giving preference to a particular viewpoint.
If you disagree with an opinion that we have published, please submit a rebuttal or differing opinion in a letter to the Editor for publication. Review our policies page for more information.
