Attorneys for CPS, Wayne Sells argue over name of RBHS athletic field

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Boone County judge will soon decide what to do about Columbia Public Schools removing the name of a donor from Rock Bridge High School's athletics field.

The Columbia Board Of Education unanimously voted to rename the field in 2020 after Wayne Sells – on Facebook --  criticized professional athletes who were protesting during the national anthem before games by kneeling. Sells had suggested renaming the field Veterans Memorial Field.

Lawyers for Sells and CPS argued for more than two hours Tuesday at the Boone County Courthouse. They discussed whether or not Columbia Public Schools had a legal contract with Sells after he gave Rock Bridge High School $100,000 to improve its athletic facilities. 

The field was named Wayne Sells Family Activity Field for 14 years after he paid for the improvements. Sells claims that he has naming rights to the field as a part of an agreement he made with the then-athletic director and that renaming it is a breach of contract.

CPS claims the money was a donation and there was never a formal written agreement giving naming rights to Sells. 

The judge will now review the case and will give both sides advanced notice and will decide if a jury trial is needed.