Full steam ahead for scoreboard

It was in January that the terrible news of former Corona del Mar

High football and track and field standout Sean Fenton surfaced, when

a jackknifed semi truck and trailer slid across a dark stretch of the

highway in Connecticut, directly in front of the 22-year-old driver

and his eight passengers in a van.

In a split second the hopes and dreams of one of Corona del Mar’s

very finest products vanished, as if being struck by lightning.

Three other passengers lost their lives, as well, and Yale

University was staggered by one of the darkest nights of the school’s

300 years-plus history.

For the Fentons, Bob and Janise, and Sean’s brother, Avery, life

will never be the same.

For the Sea Kings, including former standout Brent Ogden

(1970-74), a memorial scoreboard on the southern end of the football

field on campus, very near to the area where Sean would whirl, twist

and heave a 16-pound sphere in the shot put for four years, is

scheduled to be ready for September.

Just in time for freshman and sophomore football, as well as

soccer and track and field.

The reality of such a tribute to Sean Fenton, truly a blue chip on

the football field and in the classroom, was cemented by the recent

Newport-Mesa School board decision to waive any further red tape and

approve the project.

It was Ogden, who has given some 17 seasons to CdM as a volunteer

coach, who initiated the thought, who walked it through the various

avenues, who developed and designed the idea and who has personally

guaranteed its place on the Sea Kings’ campus.

“It’s kind of like a community healing process,” said Ogden. “It’s

honoring a great athlete and a great kid. I think that’s why the

school board decided it was appropriate.”

Considering the customary delays regarding dedicated items on a

campus, and for good reason, the realization of this project in such

quick order is a tribute to Sean Fenton, as well as to the

determination and execution of Ogden, who sees the monetary backing

by many as a way of allowing the community to share in the process.

The final hurdle, an approval by the Department of State

Architects, is expected on Thursday and appears to be a lock,

according to Ogden.

The scoreboard has already been ordered and it’ll be ready for the

Sea Kings’ first game. As Ogden says, “It’ll be there if I have to

get the shovel out myself.”

Ogden has gathered donations and pledges for about half of the

overall cost of the scoreboard and its installation.

“It’s a great way to honor a student-athlete, the school has been

in need of a scoreboard for many years and never had one, and it

gives a lot of people the opportunity to contribute,” said Ogden.

Sadly, we, and the Fentons, will never get Sean back.

But there is an opportunity to share in the celebration of his

life.

Some 50 entities have already joined in this endeavor.

It’s a chance for those in the Newport Beach community, whether a

part of the school, or just a citizen proud of the school and its

athletes, such as Sean Fenton, to share in the spoils of honor.

As for the school board and its positive action, a well-deserved

thanks, from a lot of people.

Hey, see you next Sunday!