Guest Opinion | Todd Laurence: The City Must Find A Way To Honor All of Its Legends

In response to an article that appeared in Pasadena Now on Oct. 21 regarding a tribute for Eddie Van Halen, it’s my understanding the City Council will address the issue on Monday, Oct. 26. I submit the following:

First, as a former Pasadena High School student, I and many of my fellow alumni, are familiar with Mr. Van Halen and his contributions to music. So, while I support this endeavor, I believe that the city must first decide how it will honor the legacies of all of its hometown legends, not only Mr. Van Halen.  I explain further below.

As president of the Pasadena Sports Hall of Fame (PASHOF), I understand the challenges of deciding or selecting who or what organization will be honored. Since 2001, we have inducted nearly 100 individuals. Our alumni cover a wide spectrum i.e. NFL, the Olympics, NBA, U.S. Open, MLB… You name it, and in sports, someone from Pasadena has done it. The same could be true for other disciplines such as the arts, literature, etc. Mr. Van Halen is one of many from Pasadena who fall into this category, obviously. 

Honoring our legends regardless of discipline, from and by the city, must be intentional and based upon a constructive plan that takes into account all the above disciplines. The simple paying of a fee and a vote by this City Council to erect a monument, street or alley sign,  etc., falls short of the aforementioned criteria; especially today, when the topics of diversity and systemic racism are center-point.

In the chamber of the council, there is a plaque… it’s from Pasadena’s very own “Noble Award.” As each of you are aware, it was created to represent the city’s highest honor to its residents in Arts, Business, Civics, Government, etc. The award (funded, according to the Pasadena Star-News, through a trust donated in 1924 by Pasadena businessman Arthur Noble) has been dormant, for unknown reasons, for nearly three decades.

I believe that the Noble Award presents the city a perfect opportunity for the city to renew its effort, intentionally and constructively, to honor all of Pasadena’s hometown legends, which includes Mr. Van Halen, and alumnus from the following Hall of Fames in the city: Pasadena Hall of Fame, Pasadena City College, John Muir High School, the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame, and Caltech.  

Obviously,  the Noble Award is just one example, but considering the historical impact that such an honor proposed for Mr. Van Halen will have on the city, it must be seen as a viable option. Honoring Mr. Van Halen must not be a hastily made decision. Adequate time, research, and community input must be factored into whatever options the city decides to implement. 

Todd Laurence is the president of the Pasadena Sports Hall of Fame (PASHOF).