For years, the Red Storm’s home turf was named Ken Wilson Field, in honor of another great coach who led Saranac Lake’s football team and also made a positive impact on the Saranac Lake community outside of the game of football.

On Tuesday, family, friends, coaching colleagues, former players and even some long time fans of Saranac Lake football gathered in the rain to celebrate Raymond’s name being added to the facility, which is now known as Wilson Raymond Field.

Despite the wet, dreary weather, dozens of those who were influenced by Raymond stepped on the soggy field to witness the dedication. The speakers who talked to the crowd gathered were John Raymond’s son Mark, the head coach of Williams College football, Saranac Lake Director of Athletics Eric Bennett, and Mark Gilligan, John Muldowney and Jan Plumadore, who all had the honor of coaching and working with Raymond during his career that spanned three decades.

Prior to Tuesday, two rows of letters were attached to the press box at the field. The top row is the same: Saranac Lake Red Storm. The bottom row now reads Wilson Raymond Field, thanks to members of the school district’s custodial and maintenance crew who completed the job earlier in the day.

Mark Raymond, the son of John Raymond, speaks during Tuesday’s dedication ceremony of the newly named Wilson Raymond Field. Joining Mark is his daughter Sydney. (Enterprise photo — Lou Reuter)

During the dedication, a tarp covered the bottom row, and was then cut loose as the event came to a conclusion.