LAND O’ LAKES – Former high school coaches Bill Browning and Willie Broner Jr. were honored by the District School Board of Pasco County during its Sept. 10 meeting.
The field at Sunlake Stadium was named in honor of Browning who had been Sunlake High School’s first head football coach. The high school is located in Land O’ Lakes.
The request was made in an Aug. 27 letter to the board by Sunlake Principal Kara Merlin and the school’s athletic director, Brett Hodros.
“Coach Browning . . . led our Seahawks from 2007 to 2018,” according to the letter.
“Under Coach Browning’s leadership the Sunlake Seahawks made four playoff appearances, had seven straight winning seasons and an overall 73-53 record.
“Coach Browning retired in 2020 after 41 years as a physical education teacher and a total of 29 seasons of coaching in the North Suncoast Region.
“Coach Browning can often be seen on the Sunlake sidelines watching, reflecting on plays and cheering for the Seahawks. Once a Seahawk, always a Seahawk.
“In recognition of his service, dedication and commitment to the students, staff and the football program at Sunlake High School, we request that the field located inside Sunlake Stadium at Sunlake High School be named Bill Browning Field.”
The gymnasium floor at Dr. Donald McBath Activity Center at Pasco High School in Dade City was named in honor of Broner.
The request was made in a June 18 letter to the board by Pasco Principal Kari Kadlub.
“Willie worked at Pasco High School for 18 years as a teacher, a basketball coach and athletic director,” Kadlub wrote in the letter.
Broner retired from Pasco High School as athletic director in January 2005, according to school district records.
“He is married to Doris and has two sons, Gary and Poncho, along with a daughter, Robin,” according to the letter. “Willie attended Saint Leo University from 1971 to 1974. Willie has always been a loyal fan of Pasco High School. He loved coming to the games and supporting both our coaches and athletes.
“While coaching basketball at Pasco High School, Willie had a record of 305-200. During the 1994-95 season, the Pirates were in the Final Four of the state championships.
“In recognition of his ongoing dedication and commitment to the students, staff and sports programs at Pasco High School and the community of Dade City in which he serves, we request the gymnasium floor at Dr. Donald McBath Activity Center at Pasco High School be named after Mr. Willie Broner Jr.”
Both requests, which were on the school board’s consent agenda, were unanimously approved.
