Piscataway Township Schools to Name Football Stadium After Middlesex County Commissioner Kenny Armwood
Piscataway, NJ, August 24, 2021 – On Thursday, August 12, the Piscataway Board of Education voted to honor the late Middlesex County Commissioner Kenny Armwood by renaming the Piscataway High School Football Stadium Kenny Armwood Stadium.
Commissioner Armwood was a lifelong resident of Piscataway and a graduate of the PHS Class of 1993, where he played football in the same stadium that will now bear his name. Following his high school graduation, at the age of 19 he began a life of public service as an elected member of the Piscataway Board of Education. He served on the Board for seven years, most notably contributing to the Middlesex County Task Force on School Violence, which created an emergency response manual for schools throughout the county and became a model for the state program.
Mr. Armwood continued a life of politics and public service. He was a member of the Piscataway Township Council from 2004-2013, and served as Council President in 2008 and 2013. One of his proudest accomplishments as a councilman was his involvement in the renovation of Quibbletown Park, where the “All Children’s Playground” was designed for children with and without disabilities, so all can play together.
Joining the Board of County Commissioners in March 2013, Deputy Director Armwood oversaw the County’s Business Innovation, Education and Opportunity Committee, which fosters economic, cultural, artistic and educational development. He was named County Commissioner Deputy Director in 2020, where he served until the time of his death in March 2021.
Mr. Armwood worked for The Red Cross in Princeton Junction and Job Corp in Edison helping teenagers build brighter futures. He was considered a good friend by many, a leader, and an inspiration for young adults.
“Commissioner Armwood was an inspiration to so many Piscataway families,” noted Board President Shelia Hobson. “He showed us what public service really means by spending over half of his life working to make life better for others. We hope that the Kenny Armwood Football Stadium will help keep his spirit of service alive in Piscataway, and help remind everyone of his personal motto: “Ya gotta do something.”
With assistance from an expanded Culture, Climate & Community Relations Committee, and an ad hoc committee made up of Piscataway educators and Board members, the Board followed these guidelines as posted in Board Policy 7250-School and Facility Names, before making its decision:
- The Board first solicited name suggestions with accompanying rational and supporting materials, from the community at large.
- The Board submitted these names to the expanded Culture, Climate & Community Relations committee for review. The committee, with input from community stakeholders, parents, and staff, reviewed each submitted name, and considered the official criteria as stated in the policy. They then submitted seven recommended names to the full Board for consideration.
- At its July meeting, the Board reviewed the seven nominees. Following that review, Board President Shelia Hobson announced the appointment of an ad hoc committee to, as stated in Policy 7250, conduct further investigation into each nominee “that would render any of those recommendations inappropriate for ultimate selection.” Comprised of Board members and District administrators, the ad hoc committee reviewed each nominee before individually voting for a nominee choice. The nominee garnering the highest number of votes was submitted to the Board as a recommendation for its August vote.
“We thank everyone who participated in this process. This was not an easy task,” noted Mrs. Hobson. “Other names were put forth that were all valuable contributors to the Piscataway School community. In selecting Commissioner Armwood for this honor, we considered his community impact and the lasting legacy of his work.”
A ribbon cutting ceremony will be planned and announced at a later date.