Stadium Won't Bear Pfc. Austin's Name

School board members have decided not to name the stadium at Pickens High School after a Dacusville soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice earlier this year. 

Private First Class Barrett Austin, 20 died April 21 in Landstuhl, Germany, of injuries sustained when his vehicle was attacked by an enemy improvised explosive device in Wardak Province, Afghanistan on April 17.

Shortly after Austin was laid to rest, a petition was started to convince district officials to name the stadium at Pickens High School in honor of Austin.

“Barrett Austin sacrificed his life protecting the United States of America,” the petition read. “In return for his selflessness we should honor him by renaming the football stadium at Pickens High School Barrett Austin Memorial Stadium.”

The petition garnered more than 1,500 signatures.

Building Committee Chairman Jim Shelton said the committee is recommending that the football stadium not be named after Austin.

Instead, a memorial for Austin will be planned near the flagpole at the stadium, Shelton said.

“That action is supported by the family of Private Austin,” he said. “The committee recommends that we turn that back over to the high school and they will take care of the memorial as they see fit and in honor of the wishes of Barrett's mom and dad.”