Tampa Renamed Field for Roland Paz Sr.

The city honored the local youth sports leader by renaming a Forest Hills recreation field in his memory.

Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Soccer

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Tampa city officials officially dedicated a multipurpose sports field at the Forest Hills Recreation Center to honor the late Roland Paz Sr. The renaming commemorates the legacy of the organizer who established local youth sports programs five decades ago.

Why it matters

The city renamed the field to recognize a local figure whose efforts in the 1970s built the foundation for neighborhood youth athletics. This dedication preserves the history of an immigrant who transformed community sports access.

Roland Paz Sr. established the Forest Hills Soccer League 50 years ago and raised four children. The city council officially recognized his history of league organizing and his efforts to build local sports grounds.

The players

Roland Paz Sr.

He was a local community organizer and business owner who founded the Forest Hills Soccer League in the 1970s.

The details

City leaders designated the multipurpose field in honor of Paz, a Spanish immigrant who ran a business called Roland's TV and Electronics. The recognition celebrates his long-standing commitment to community youth development prior to his death in 1977.

Roland Paz Sr. founded the Forest Hills Soccer League during the 1970s.
Roland Paz Sr. passed away in 1977.
City officials dedicated the sports field on October 8, 2026.

Season Trajectory

The renaming follows a pattern set by the 1970s grassroots youth sports movement, which prioritized local infrastructure development. This act serves to formalize the historical status of community programs within the broader sports ecosystem.

The field at the Forest Hills Recreation Center now bears the name of Roland Paz Sr. following the official city council designation. This change updates the public identification of the venue for local leagues and residents utilizing the facility.

The takeaway

Honoring local pioneers helps maintain the connection between current facilities and their foundational history. Residents can reflect on how past community leaders continue to shape the availability of youth sports programs today.