Multi-use fields at County’s Manzanita Park renamed to honor coach

PIMA COUNTY, (June 20, 2024) – The Pima County Board of Supervisors voted 4-0 on June 18 to rename two multi-use fields at Winston Reynolds-Manzanita Park in honor of Coach Juan F. Tadeo Jr.

Tadeo, who died of leukemia in April 2020, was a lifelong leader and advocate for youth sports in Pima County. He is best known for founding the Tucson Redskins Youth Football and Spirit Organization in 1986 and the Tucson Jaguars Youth Football and Spirit Organization in 2000.

“I’m so glad that this is coming to fruition today in honor of his impact on our community,” said Adelita S. Grijalva, chair of the Pima County Board of Supervisors, at the June 18 meeting. “Juan F. Tadeo Jr. dedicated most of his life to Pima County youth sports.”

Tadeo received several honors during his lifetime. In 2013, he was inducted into the Tucson Football and Spirit Federation Hall of Fame. In 2018, the City of Tucson recognized him for his service to the community through his 37 years of coaching youth sports.

In April 2024, the Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission voted to recommend renaming multi-use fields #5 and #6 at Manzanita Park, located at 5200 S. Westover Ave., in Tadeo’s honor.

“Juan F. Tadeo gave so much to our community and meant so much to his family, his colleagues and the kids he coached,” said Victor Pereira, director of Pima County Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation. “He spent many years coaching at Manzanita Park, and this is a fitting way to honor his legacy.”