Adrian, MI – After overwhelming community feedback, Adrian Public Schools Superintendent Nate Parker has recommended that the press box at Maple Stadium be named after long-time Maple, Del Cochran.
At its July meeting, the Adrian Board of Education reviewed a recommendation to name the Superintendent Conference room for long-time Maple Del Cochran. In the recommendation, Superintendent Nate Parker noted Cochran’s service to the district and his impact in his official roles and as a Maple Alum and supporter of both Adrian Public Schools and the Adrian Schools Education Foundation.
Board Policy requires two months between the first reading and the final approval by the Board of Education when considering naming a district
facility. This time period allows for community input and feedback. At the recent board meeting on August 26th Superintendent Nate Parker
updated the board on the feedback he received. “The feedback from the community has been overwhelming and incredibly positive, frankly the
Facebook posts and emails I received clearly demonstrated the impact that Del had on so many students, families and the community as a whole.”
Parker reported to the board that, based on the input from the community, the final recommendation would be to name the press box at Maple Stadium after Cochran. Parker noted that many in the community reached out to him and indicated they did not think the superintendent’s conference room was sufficient to honor the contributions of Cochran to the district. Many noted that he announced games at Maple Stadium for forty years and that the press box would be a fitting tribute.
Del Cochran graduated from Adrian Public Schools in 1961. From 1967 to 1999, Del was a teacher, coach, and administrator for his Alma Mater.
Del served as Principal of Comstock, Prairie, and Mckinley Elementary Schools and finally Principal of Adrian Middle School 5-6, now The Drager Early Childhood Center. He also served as Vice President of the Adrian High School Alumni Association from 1987 – 1989. In 1999, Mr.
Cochran retired from Adrian Public Schools after 32 years of service to the district. Cochran was elected trustee of the Adrian Public School’s Board of Education in 2002. During his time on the board, he also served as Vice President. Mr. Cochran was hired as Superintendent in 2004 and served the district until 2008.
In addition to providing steady and trusted leadership for the district, Del was instrumental in the passage of the 2004 Apple Bond. In 2014, Del served as Interim Superintendent during a transition period for the district. Del continues to support the district in his retirement and donates financially and of his time.
Final approval is slated for the September 23rd board meeting. Pending this approval, the press box would be dedicated in Cochran’s honor at the Home Football game Friday, September, 27.
Tune into our local and state newscasts, anytime day or night, for this story and more.
Sign up for WLEN’s weekday newsletter: 
Follow WLEN on social media: 
#wlenradio #wlennews #lenaweenews
*media courtesy of Adrian Public Schools*