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Community petition to name Upper Comp Field after coach Galen Christine moves forward
Summary
Council accepted a petition with roughly 500 signatures requesting the Upper Comp baseball field be named for Galen Christine Jr.; the council approved moving the item to a public hearing for final action.
The Elko City Council on Dec. 9 accepted a community petition to begin the formal process of naming the baseball field commonly known as Upper Comp Field after the late volunteer coach Galen Christine Jr.
James (city staff) explained the item is step one of a two-step process and said petitioners have collected roughly 500 signatures in support. Staff recommended and the council agreed to advance the item to a subsequent meeting for a public hearing where additional comment and final action may be taken.
Multiple family members and community members spoke in support. Chezrein Nizhern, identified in the meeting as Galen Christine’s oldest daughter, described her father’s five decades of volunteer work at Elko baseball and asked the council to proceed so his name can be permanently attached to the field where he coached and mentored generations of athletes. Amber Day, who identified herself as Galen’s niece and a former museum and Western Folklife Center staffer, highlighted the field’s historical significance and community legacy.
A city council member noted the size of the turnout at Galen’s memorial service and said the petition’s response reflects the coach’s local impact. A motion to accept the petition and place the naming on a future public hearing passed unanimously.
Council staff indicated they will compile the full petition list and provide a public hearing notice at a later date. The item will return to the council for the formal public hearing where additional testimony will be taken and a final naming decision can be made.
