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Mercer Island School Board votes to name high‑school basketball court 'Ed Pevett Court'
Summary
The Mercer Island School District board approved a recommendation from a naming committee to call the high‑school basketball court "Ed Pevett Court," citing a survey and unanimous committee support; funding for the court is expected to come from private donations.
The Mercer Island School District board voted to name the high‑school basketball court "Ed Pevett Court," approving a naming‑committee recommendation after public comment and a unanimous committee review.
The committee presented a nomination packet citing Coach Ed Pevett's 42 years of coaching, 952 career wins, four state championships and recognition as a seven‑time Washington State Coach of the Year and the 1998 Naismith National Coach of the Year. The committee said 523 community survey responses were collected, about 75% of which expressed strong support for the naming. Presenter (speaker 10) told the board that the committee found the nomination met all five naming criteria — significant contribution to district and community, legacy beyond active time, educational leadership, character and a commitment to equity and inclusion.
Members of the public, including longtime Mercer Island residents and former players, urged the board to approve the recognition. Frank Scott, who helped assemble the nomination, highlighted Pevett's outreach to young players and veterans of the Little Dribblers program. Former students and alumni described the coach as a formative mentor who opened school gym access to younger kids and built a broad coaching "tree." One commenter said, "Coach Pepple was a leader and a friend to so many." (Public comments used the nominee's name with variant spellings.)
Board members asked for more detail about the minority of survey respondents who opposed facility naming and about cost and funding. The presenter said 7% of respondents were neutral, 10% opposed the practice of naming facilities for individuals at all, and about 8% expressed concerns that the naming might feel exclusive to some. Board members were told all costs for the floor marker and signage would be raised through private donations and the district would not use operating funds for the installation.
A motion to approve the naming passed by voice vote; the board recessed briefly afterward for an unveiling. The district indicated it will finalize design and installation plans after private fundraising determines the final scope and cost.
What happens next: district staff will work with the donor group and the naming committee on final plans and a timeline for installation. The board did not record a roll‑call tally in the transcript; approval was made by voice vote.
