Colfax’s new stadium could honor local football legend

A possible name for the new Colfax-Mingo football stadium was proposed during the school board’s Jan. 17 meeting.

The $12 million project, which was announced in early 2021, plans to improve not just the school’s stadium, but also its gym, wrestling room and weight room.

Dave Rorabaugh, a local historian and Jasper County resident, suggested the field be named after a prominent football player who was born and raised in Colfax: Joe Laws.

Laws was born in Colfax in 1911 and graduated from Colfax High School in 1929. Afterward he went on to play football at the University of Iowa and then professionally as a Green Bay Packer for nearly a decade.

Laws’ accomplishments and professional career have all been well documented by historical societies across the county, who could be called upon to assist with any background information.

According to the Packers’ official website, before his signing to the team Laws was named most valuable player in the Big Ten in 1933 and was pursued by several NFL teams before joining the Packers shortly after graduation.

On Jan. 7, 1946, Laws announced his retirement from the Packers. By the time he retired, Laws played in 123 games over 12 total seasons, according to the Packers official records,

Laws was inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame in 1972, a few years before his death. And while he was never recognized on a national level, the Packers’ website cites him as a versatile and valuable player.

“I don’t want either the City of Colfax or Jasper County to forget Joe or his accomplishments,” Rorabaugh said.

Rorabaugh made several different suggestions as to how the board could acknowledge Laws’ legacy within the new stadium.

“I don’t know if you have made any promises for the stadium’s name already, but I believe that involving Laws’ legacy in some way – be it as the name of the stadium or maybe the road leading to it _ would be a great way to shine a spotlight on one of the best football players who ever came out of Jasper County, and maybe even all of Central Iowa,” Rorabaugh said.

Several board members seemed interested in Rorabaugh’s naming proposal and were open to the idea of Laws’ somehow being a part of the new construction.

“We will keep the suggestion in mind and we’ll get back to you with our thoughts on the matter,” board president Chet Williams said.

Contact Abby Knipfel at 641-792-4687 ext. 6531 or aknipfel@shawmedia.com