Cazenovia Baseball Field officially named for former Superintendent Robert S. Dubik
BY Jason Emerson
Editor
It was an afternoon of sun and rain, of happiness and tears, as more than 100 people came to help dedicate the Robert S. Dubik baseball field at the Sean M. Googin Sports Complex on Fenner Road last Saturday in honor of the former district superintendent who passed away in 2014. In attendance were Dubik’s widow Terri and their two sons, his father and siblings, his friends, as well as Cazenovia district administrators, teachers, school board members and students.
“It’s a special event for us. I’m certain Bob is looking down and is appreciative for everyone in attendance,” said Cazenovia Superintendent Matt Reilly. “Bob was a man who gave so very much to the school district … I am following a legend as superintendent — the impact he made on the students and on the community cannot be overstated.”
Dubik had a 38-year career in education, which began in his hometown of Erie, Pa., and included 14 years in Cazenovia, the last 10 of which he served as district superintendent. During his 10-year tenure as superintendent, the Cazenovia district had numerous accomplishments of which he was proud, he said shortly before his retirement in 2014, with the highlight being the recognition of Burton Street Elementary as a 2012 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education.
Dubik was also an avid baseball fan, a little league coach, an umpire at the high school and college levels, and a devoted Pittsburgh Pirates supporter. One of the projects he helped bring to fruition as superintendent was the creation of the new varsity baseball field at the Googin Sports Complex, and he threw out the first pitch at the field dedication ceremony in 2011.
Dubik retired in June 2014 after 14 years in Cazenovia. Shortly after his retirement, he was diagnosed with cancer, and quietly passed away at his home just five months later.
In spring 2015, longtime Cazenovia school board members Karin Marris, Cindy Bell Tobey, Pat Vogl and Jan Woodworth — who all worked with Dubik for multiple years — broached the idea to honor Dubik by naming the ball field after him. The idea came up informally at the time and was unanimously supported by the board.
“He invested so much in baseball … we just thought it was an appropriate way to name something for him,” said Vogl, who was school board president in 2015.
“Bob loved baseball and Cazenovia; this field was his dream. It’s not only an honor for Bob, it’s an honor for our district,” said Woodworth, who serves as the current Cazenovia Board of Education president.
Reflecting on the life of his friend and former colleague, Vogl said during the ceremony that he had finally figured Bob Dubik out. “The man never worked a day in his life. He loved to umpire and he loved to be superintendent,” Vogl said. In fact, they are “one and the same” job, both focused on fairness and safety, both watching the action around them but seamlessly directing it as well, Vogl said.
“He was there for everyone,” Vogl said. “Dedicating this field to Bob is something that needed to be done and, by the turnout here today, it’s what everyone wanted to be done.”
Vogl also suggested a nickname for the field. Just as Ralph McKinzie Field in Dekalb, Illinois, is called “The Ralph” by its fans and athletes, the Robert S. Dubik Field could be called “The Bob” by Cazenovians, Vogl said.
Dubik’s widow Terri said she and her family were “truly humbled” by the honor given to her husband with the field naming. As rain poured down for a few minutes in the middle of the ceremony, she said the sun and rain just showed that Bob was looking down on the ceremony. “I know he’s smiling but crying too,” Terri said.
After the remarks, the new signage was unveiled to the crowd.
The sign on the backstop reads, “Robert S. Dubik Field, Home of the Cazenovia Lakers.”
The sign at the entrance to the field read,
Welcome to
ROBERT S. DUBIK FIELD
Dedicated June 2016 in honor of Mr. Robert S. “Bob” Dubik, retired Superintendent of the Cazenovia CSD. Bob was an avid fan of the game of baseball, an esteemed high school and college baseball umpire, CCSD Superintendent when this baseball field was designed and built, a career educator and most importantly a loving father and husband.
Cazenovia student Emily Kielbasinski sang the National Anthem and members of the student body sang “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.” At the end of the ceremonies, free baseball fare of hot dogs and cracker jacks was available to those in attendance.
For photos of the entire event, visit the Cazenovia Republican Facebook page at Facebook.com/cazrepublican.
