Katy High School's softball field now carries the name of the man who built the program into a dynasty.

Katy ISD trustees voted unanimously on July 27 to name the field after retired head coach Kalum Haack, who spent 26 years leading the Tigers to more than 850 wins, two state championships (2015 and 2019) and 18 regional semifinal appearances, according to Katy Times reporting. The Tigers never missed the playoffs under Haack, and won outright district titles in each of his final nine seasons.

The honor came the same night the board recognized the 2026 state championship softball team, which won the UIL 6A Division II title under current head coach Megan VanEtta with a 7-2 victory over Forney on May 30 at McCombs Field in Austin, capping a 39-5 season and a 22-game winning streak.

VanEtta, who was coached by Haack from age 11 through high school graduation, told the board at its July 20 work study meeting that the request was "deeply personal."

"He had a unique ability to make us believe that you were capable of more than you believed yourself," VanEtta said. "That is a gift that very few coaches possess."

VanEtta told Haack as a junior high student that she would return to Katy High to coach alongside him. She did, eventually succeeding him and delivering the program's third state title in 11 years.

Haack's coaching career

Haack arrived at Katy High in the late 1990s after coaching college softball for 16 years, including head coaching stints at Kansas (1988–1995) and Alabama (1996–1998), where he started the Crimson Tide program from scratch. Alabama won the SEC in its second year under his watch.

At the July 20 meeting, community member Tim Ripinger urged the board to approve the naming, saying the field "should represent someone who has helped shape these values for generations."

Haack's son Brook also spoke in support of the honor at that meeting.

Board vice president Rebecca Fox praised Haack's character at the July 27 vote, calling it "super wonderful that this is happening and that we are honoring him."

2026 state title

The championship season gave the naming an extra layer of significance. Freshman pitcher Haley Schmitt earned championship game MVP honors with a complete game and eight strikeouts, while the Tigers' offense recorded 10 hits, including their 6A-record and national-leading 97th home run of the season.

Upon his retirement in May 2024, Haack told the Katy Times: "I picked a profession where I loved going to work every day and not a lot of people can say that."

No dedication ceremony date has been announced. The next regular Katy ISD board meeting is scheduled for Aug. 24.