Popovich High School? San Antonio man creates petition to rename Lee High School after Spurs coach

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After 58 years of being named Robert E. Lee High School, a San Antonio man is rallying Spurs fans to change the name in honor of Coach Gregg Popovich.

Emmanuel Casasola, a 2002 graduate of the Northeast Side school, said he started the online petition on Friday after discussing the controversy surrounding landmarks and institutions like the campus with namesakes tied to the Confederacy.

“I’m not advocating to change the name, but if it does change, it should be to honor one of our own,” Casasola said in a phone interview with mySA.com. “I think Popovich exemplifies several of the characteristics young people of today should strive for – leadership, commitment, loyalty and the way he and RC Buford have created an organization that is envied in all sports.”

On top of his career accolades, Casasola said the “sports hero’s” popularity with the community also strengthens his cause.

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich smiles as a question is asked during a news conference for the NBA basketball finals on Saturday, June 14, 2014, in San Antonio. San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich smiles as a question is asked during a news conference for the NBA basketball finals on Saturday, June 14, 2014, in San Antonio. Photo: Associated Press Photo: Associated Press Image 1 of / 107 Caption Close Popovich High School? San Antonio man creates petition to rename Lee High School after Spurs coach 1 / 107 Back to Gallery

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“I haven’t heard anyone say anything negative about Pop, I think he would be the perfect choice,” he said.

The petition had a slow start, but the past 24 hours have been “crazy,” as signatures have been rolling in by the hundreds, the diehard Spurs fan said. The excitement of seeing his creation get traction throughout Tuesday night kept Casasola from getting any sleep.

As of Wednesday morning, the petition has garnered more than 600 signatures of the 1,000 goal.

Some of the Spurs have weighed in on the topic on Wednesday, like Patty Mills who is ready to give his John Hancock in support of the cause.

"I've never been to the school before, but I'd better sign it," he said. "Sounds like a good plan."

Casasola said the reaction has been mixed but mostly positive after people began realizing his project was not a joke.

Northeast Independent School District’s Director of Communications Aubrey Chancellor said the department is aware of several petitions regarding the high school’s name.

“[…] it would be premature to discuss a specific name at this point,” she said in a statement to mySA.com. “The school board has not even discussed whether there should be a new name.”

The issue is a topic on the agenda for a Dec. 7 meeting but “petitions do not typically factor into naming schools,” she added.

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Still, Casasola can’t help but think of the city’s future with a high school named after Coach Pop – he even has a mascot in mind.

Instead of being named the Volunteers, students would be “Falcons,” the mascot of the U.S. Air Force Academy. He said it would be an homage to Popovich and his time in the military.

“He (Popovich) has been able to create a team and a culture, it’s something San Antonio should be really proud of,” he said.

mmendoza@mysa.com

Twitter: @MaddySkye