Fairport has another tribute to the late Don Santini and it will take place Saturday during homecoming weekend.
The outdoor sports fields and other grounds at Fairport will be known as the Don Santini Athletic Complex. A ceremony officially naming the complex, which includes the main turf field, the new track-and-field facility and new tennis courts, will take place at halftime of the varsity football game between Rush-Henrietta and Fairport.
The R-H and Fairport game on Joe Cummings Field is scheduled to kickoff at 3 p.m. While the entire sports complex will be named after Santini, the proud Fairport graduate and Section V Football Hall of Fame coach is believed to have said he didn't wany the name of the main turf field to change, according
to Fairport athletic director Fritz Kilian.
Santini passed away in February 2025, at the age of 85. "Mr. Fairport's" connection to that community and school district spanned numerous decades. He graduated from Fairport in 1957. A man who knew the definition of encouragement - and more importantly, the value of it - is the inspiration for the Don Santini Foundation.
Santini's days as a highly successful football coach are fondly remembered both around and outside of Fairport. His teams, including years coaching the small schools powerhouse at LeRoy, won 206 games. Santini, who coached his final high school varsity game in 1992, is No. 4 on the all-time Section V Football coaching wins list.
A committee that included students suggested that Santini's name be put on Fairport's athletic complex. The school district's board of education agreed in June.
James Johnson, who grew up in the city of Rochester, has worked as a full-time journalist covering high school sports for the Democrat and Chronicle since 1996. His career began as an intern during the summer of 1990. Follow him @jjDandC on X (Twitter) and Instagram. Please contact him at JAMESJ@Gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Fairport to name athletic complex after legendary coach
