Founder’s descendants celebrate Arnold Field rededication
It was a desire of the late Zellamae Miles to complete the rededication of Lassen High School’s Arnold Field for her father, Med Arnold.
So, completing Miles’ wish on the day of her Celebration of Life, Saturday, March 24, a monument was unveiled with direct descendants standing by, at the entrance of Arnold Field honoring its namesake.
“I’m just so grateful for all the people who helped make this happen,” said Miles’ daughter Shireen Miles.
Originally dedicated to Med Arnold in 1939, Arnold Field featured a Hollywood type sign, which read, “Arnold Field home of the grizzlies,” according to superintendent/ principal Bill McCabe.
With the grand sign now taken down, though, Miles had a keen interest in rededicating the field to her late father.
Med Arnold, born January 1885, is the grandson of Susanville’s founder Isaac Roop and the son of his daughter, the town’s namesake, Susan Roop Arnold.
Graduating from Lassen High School in 1907, Med Arnold was part of the first regular four-year class at the school. During his four years, he served as student body president, class poet, athletic manager and was a three sport athlete, Lassen Union High School Board Trustee Michelle Zubillaga said during the rededication ceremony.
Arnold Field used to feature a Hollywood style sign, exclaiming to the fields’ attendees, “Arnold Field Home of the Grizzlies.”After LHS, Med Arnold went to the University of Southern California on an athletic scholarship, competing in both football and baseball.
He returned to the place he loved, though, taking over the family ranch, and was later elected Justice of the Peace and a city judge.
However, he led a very busy, full life.
In the mornings, he would conduct city court; teach school during the day and coach sports teams in the afternoon, Zubillaga said.
“For 20 years he coached, with no assistants, football, baseball, track, basketball, boxing, wrestling and tumbling,” she added.
Med Arnold even coached the junior college hoop team when Lassen Community College was formed.
Despite his retirement to become vice principal in 1944, Med Arnold coached a six-man football team, and helped establish Little League baseball in Susanville.
His dedication to local sports, the school and the community served as inspiration for the school to help with the rededication.
“We want to keep that tradition that (Med Arnold) started many years ago,” said McCabe.
The Lassen County Historical Society, Janet Corey, Skip Jones, Jim Chapman, Lassen High School and others worked to rededicate the field. Pee Wee Enterprises donated the monument and Chilcoot Monuments worked to expedite the process of making the plaque.
Now, when Arnold Field is packed with eager sports fans and local athletes, they’ll get a chance to see the legacy of dedication to youth sports the field is remembered for.
“We’re excited it’s in a prominent place,”
McCabe said.
