Trenton Athletes Might Have Jerseys Retired for Exceptional Performance

One of the greatest forms of athletic recognition is raising an athlete's jersey high above the stands for everyone to see.

Officials at Trenton Public Schools are considering applying the tradition of retiring jerseys once worn by Trenton High School athletes.

The idea for retiring jerseys was discussed at Monday's board of education meeting.

Athletic Director Bret Woodley spearheaded a recent effort to recognize Trenton athletes for exceptional performance in a given sport before and after graduation.

Not all athletes would qualify for the honor. Here is a draft of criteria created by Woodley to be used when considering selecting individual athletes. The following information is only a draft and is subject to change:

• An application to retire a jersey cannot be submitted until at least five years after the candidate graduates from Trenton High School.
• To be eligible, all portions of the application must be completes and submitted to the athletic director.
• Candidates can submit an application a maximum of three times for consideration.
• The candidate must have been a varsity athlete at Trenton High School for a minimum of two years in the sport being considered for jersey retirement.
• The candidate must have had an exceptional career that extends beyond their graduation in the sport in which they are being considered.

Athletes can be nominated by family and friends anytime, but only two jerseys can be retired each year. After a nomination is selected, a panel of nine people, selected by Woodley, would measure the candidate against the above criteria to make sure he or she qualifies for the honor.

The panel would consist of current or former coaches, distinguished alumni, faculty, administration and/or community members, according to Woodely. The panel has the final decision in selecting athletes.

The panel will take into consideration, but not limit themselves to, the following guidelines:

• All-State honors
• All-American honors
• National recognition
• School records obtained
• Multiple team awards

Woodley said ideal candidates for the honor are former Trenton athletes Major League Baseball players J.J. Putz and Anthony Bass and National Hockey League player Andy Greene -- to name just a few.

Board members received the idea to retire jerseys at Trenton High School and the criteria to do so as a first reading. The potential policy must have a second reading and be voted upon by board members.

The second reading was not scheduled at the time this article was published.