CCSD Board Approves Naming "Thomas Cuppett Court" & "Dennis Murphy Field House"

Article presented by Pickaway-Ross CTC Adult Education …

The gym floor of “The Hatt” and the field house at “The O” will bear new names in the 2024-25 school year.

Monday, upon recommendation by the Naming Rights Committee, the Chillicothe City School Board approved by a vote of 4-1, the presentation by Superintendent Debbie Swinehart to name the floor of Ellis B. Hatton Memorial Gymnasium “Thomas Cuppett Court” and the at the Obadiah Harris Family Athletic Complex, “Dennis Murphy Field House”.

In addition, signage recognizing other coaches having a significant impact on Chillicothe High School athletics, will be posted.

Tom Cuppett directed Boys Basketball program from 1969-1981 and was the Athletic Director until his retirement in 1993. Cuppett’s mark was 188-69 with the Cavaliers, including three league championships (two Central Ohio League, one Ohio Capital Conference), ten District and three Regional appearances. His career coaching record was 404-151-2. Cuppett was inducted into the CHS Athletic Hall of Fame (2001), Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame (1993) and the Ohio Capital Conference Athletic Administrators Hall of Fame (1998).

Photo from the 1991-92 Cavalier Club Souvenir Program

Dennis Murphy has been a fixture at Chillicothe Athletic events as a facility manager, equipment manager, event coordinator for decades. His duties have ranged from preparing the playing fields, organizing, reconditioning, washing and distributing uniforms and equipment and hosting officials and media for regular season and post-season contests. Murphy is a member of the 2005 Class of inductees to the CHS Athletic Hall of Fame.

Photo from the archives of Dan Ramey Productions, LLC

Dates for the unveiling of the new names have yet to be determined, but are expected to be in place next school year.