Coral Springs commissioners vote to honor longtime residents by naming sports facilities after their contributions to youth athletics
Coral Springs, Florida – Coral Springs city commissioners have honored three longtime residents whose dedication shaped the city’s youth sports programs by naming key sports facilities after them. The unanimous vote on Wednesday recognized the enduring contributions of Jim Reilly, Jennifer Brown, and Robyn Gomes, ensuring their legacies remain visible to the community for years to come.
Field 2 at Cypress Park will now be known as the Jennifer Brown Softball Field, commemorating the late Brown’s tireless work with girls’ softball in Coral Springs. For more than a decade, Brown was a cornerstone of the Youth Softball Association, overseeing registration, coordinating photo days, reopening concessions after the pandemic, and helping to rebuild the program during challenging times.
“Jennifer was an absolutely amazing leader, and our softball program would not be what it is today without her and her efforts,” Vice Mayor Shawn Cerra said during the commission meeting.
The concession stand at Cypress Park will also bear a new name, becoming the Robyn Gomes Concession Stand. Gomes, who passed away in recent years, served as the softball booster club president and left a lasting mark on the sport during her more than 20 years of involvement. Cerra, who worked with Gomes when he was principal at J.P. Taravella High School, spoke directly to her daughter, Amanda, highlighting her mother’s profound influence on the community.
“The way she interacted with that team and the way she left the legacy within that sport, naming a concession stand is very small in comparison to her dash that she left with our cities,” Cerra said.
The third facility to receive a new designation is the main court of the City Gymnasium, now officially named Jim Reilly Court—or Jim Reilly Championship Court—in recognition of James J. Reilly Jr.’s more than 50 years of service as a Vietnam veteran and sports volunteer. Reilly has been instrumental in creating a tournament culture within Coral Springs, fostering opportunities for young athletes and promoting community engagement through sports.
“You have absolutely left the legacy for our city and created a tournament that’s really second to none that’s still exists today because of your leadership,” Cerra said.
The decision to honor these individuals followed recommendations from the Naming Rights Committee, which reviewed the requests at its July 28 meeting. According to city documents, the initiative was completed at no cost to the city, reflecting a commitment to celebrating local contributions without impacting public funds.
For residents and city leaders alike, the new facility names serve as a permanent reminder of the dedication, passion, and leadership demonstrated by Brown, Gomes, and Reilly. Their efforts not only enhanced Coral Springs’ youth sports programs but also strengthened the broader sense of community by creating environments where young athletes could thrive.
The initiative has been met with widespread approval from both city officials and community members, many of whom attended Wednesday’s meeting or followed the proceedings online. By preserving these names in public spaces, Coral Springs ensures that future generations will recognize the individuals who played pivotal roles in building the city’s athletic programs and nurturing the values of teamwork, perseverance, and leadership.
Vice Mayor Cerra summed up the sentiment of the commissioners and the community in his remarks, emphasizing that the recognition was not simply symbolic but a lasting tribute to lives that shaped the city’s identity. Through these dedications, Coral Springs is sending a clear message: the contributions of residents who selflessly give their time and energy to youth, sports, and the broader community will not be forgotten.
