Fort Wayne board to name Snyder stadium for Russ Isaacs after Hall of Fame honor

Noah Smith, president of the Fort Wayne Community Schools Board of Trustees, asked the board to recognize Russ Isaacs for his June 2026 induction into the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame and to name Snyder High Schoolon‑campus stadium in his honor.

Isaacs, a Snyder coach and athletic director who began at Snyder in 1976, served as head football coach from 1991 through 2008 and compiled a 194‑win career that included the programstate championship in 1992 and state runner‑up finishes in 2002 and 2004. He was previously inducted into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame in 2014. During remarks accepting the recognition, Isaacs called the honor “very humbling” and thanked district staff and colleagues for support.

Former teammates and alumni offered written tributes and personal remarks at the meeting. Coach Marv Arnold said of Isaacs: “Anybody whohas done what hehas done for 50 years, and, you know, that is quite an accomplishment in itself,” (Marv Arnold). Willie Burton, a former Snyder player, described the 1992 state championship team as forging an “inseparable bond.”

Board members said the district will dedicate the stadium with a ribbon‑cutting on Aug. 10 and then hold a board meeting at Snyder. The recognition came as part of the meetingagenda before consent items were approved.