(Image provided, Portage High School Athletic Office)
In Portage, Portage High School will host a special dedication ceremony to honor former longtime football coach Les Klein by officially naming the football field Les Klein Field. The event will take place during halftime of the home game against Valparaiso on Friday, October 10, 2025. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 pm. Prior to the game, the community is invited to a Meet and Greet with Coach Klein at 5:30 pm in the Portage High School Cafeteria; light refreshments will be available. All those whose lives or careers have been influenced by Coach Klein are encouraged to attend. Klein arrived at Portage in the summer of 1970, and over the next 19 seasons he coached more than 550 players, won a school-record 115 games, led Portage to their only state championship in 1977, a semifinal appearance in 1974, and two Duneland Conference titles. Under his leadership, the high school athletic office says Portage produced over 30 All-State players and saw three former players and six assistant coaches go on to Hall of Fame careers.
