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From MiltonSearch.com:

Wrestler Tiger Jeet Singh, shown at the school on Yates Dr. that will bear his name, is a philanthropist who was named to Milton’s Hall of Fame.

Well, Halton District School Board Trustees voted yesterday to name Milton’s newest elementary school after a former WWE wrestler.

That wrestler just happens to be one of Milton’s most famous citizens and recent addition to Milton’s Walk of Fame, long-time resident Tiger Jeet Singh.

The new school is located at 640 Yates Dr. in the Coates Crossing neighbourhood and it’s official name will be “Tiger Jeet Singh Elementary School.”

I have to admit that I was a little surprised to hear that was the name the Trustees decided upon. I know about Tiger Jeet Singh and am somewhat versed as to his charitable contributions to the community over the years, but I thought it was a little strange to have an elementary school named after a former WWE wrestler, especially because the official name of the school is his ’stage’ or ‘character’ name.

This announcement touched off a firestorm of a debate over on the ever-lively Hawthorne Villager discussion forums with user ‘thepowells’ starting a thread called ‘Milton #4 school gets a name – and we need to change it now!‘ as well as a Facebook group dedicated to having the named changed to Coates Crossing Public School or one of the other two options: Robert McCaw (Retired Halton Principal and renowned photographer) Public School or John Deacon (former teacher, Halton school inspector (1885-1912). Elected twice as Mayor of Milton) Public School.

Anyways, my initial instinct was to dismiss the name as inappropriate, however, now that I’ve had a chance to digest this a little bit, and read some of the comments from both sides of the argument, I’m completely fine with it. It honours a famous, high-profile Miltonian, someone who is a visible minority and a generous person who still lives in the community. And you know what? It’s a unique and memorable name for a school.

I’ll post a couple of polls shortly to try and gauge what you think of this decision. It seems as though the majority are alright with the decision to name it after Tiger Jeet Singh, however others raised good points such as possibly using his real name instead of a wrestling name as well as the thought that honouring the former wrestler may have been more suitable for a sports facility or secondary school.

A few interesting quotes:

thepowells:

I have nothing against professional wrestlers, but it’s hardly appropriate, in my opinion.

my2boyz:

With respect to the merits of Mr. Singh and with no disrespect to the Hans family, I still think it is a poor choice for an elementery school. Many parents, myself included do not even allow their children to watch pro wrestling until a certain age. My son just stated watching it this year (grade 4) because I felt he could now understand the theatrics behind it and see it as entertainment and understand that alot of it is staged. I still think the board could have kept this name under consideration when naming the new high school.

BackToMilton:

OMG! They’ve finally cracked. The HDSB has named a school after a Professional WRESTLER? That is a total joke. I’ve heard that he lives in a big house in Milton, around Peru Rd., but as far as I know that’s it. If anyone has any info that shows that he deserves to have a school named after him please post. If there isn’t any, then I nominate “Stone Cold” Steve Autsin as a school name….And that’s the bottom line, cause Stone Cold said so!!!

From Halton District School Board Trustee, Donna Danielli:

The name was chosen by trustees last night for a number of reasons: Tiger Jeet Singh was named and has served as “MIlton’s Goodwill Ambassador” by the Mayor’s office since the 1980s. He was recently honoured as one of the inaugural members of Milton’s Walk of Fame.

In his delegation to us, John Challinor summed it up, saying that “On a community level, he is a role model for humanity around the world, a humble man from humble beginnings who worked hard, achieved success and now advocates to thousands of parents and their children about drug and alcohol awareness, the importance of staying in school and the need to be physically fit.”

In his letter of support Mayor Krantz stated “Mr Singh, along with his son, are very postive goodwill youth ambassadors and models for our youth community.” The list of his philanthropic and humanitarian works is an incredibly long one.

From my own perspective, I supported this name for other reasons as well. Milton is a rapidly growing and diverse population. We are no longer the small rural community we once were. Visible minorities in our town have risen over 780% in the past few years.

All the data shows that students are more engaged in their learning when they see themselves reflected in the culture and community of their school. This means seeing people similiar to themselves within the school community, textbooks, events and more. Students who are engaged achieve better learning.

Mr Singh has committeed to involvement within the school, to mentor students and to promote that message of education and anti drug/gang use.

I believe that he will make a difference to the lives of the children within this school and community. And really, that’s what’s at the heart of any decision I make at that board table – the student.

I understand and respect that this may not have been the decision that everyone would have made. I hope this explanation helps you understand a little more.

I thought Mike Cluett summed things up nicely:

I have absolutley no problem with the name chosen for the school. All of the contenders, so to speak, were highly qualified to have their name adorne the school walls.

Both Tiger Jeet and Tiger Ali Singh were named as inaugural members of Milton’s Walk of Fame…an honour highly deserved.

The Tigers (Hans family) have grown up in Milton over the course of many many years. They were residents of this town long before many of us were called Miltonians. During this time, they have given back to our community. One of the Hans’ sons is a member of the Halton police force, serving and protecting our community. Many stories in the past of what they had to endure from “rabid wrestling fans” and others alike who made life for that family almost unbearable. Too many stories that this family is too proud to talk about. Lets just say life wasnt made easy for them. Yet they stuck it out.

Tiger Jeet Singh is a world renowned wrestler and a classy gentleman who doesnt hesitate to offer his help whenever its needed (Troys Diner and other charities) I remember during the Canada Day Celebrations of Milton’s 150th anniversary talking with him and listening to his acceptance speech was moving. More moving still was his son’s speech (Tiger Ali) and the pride that both of them felt for their home town. They felt the honour they received by being inducted to the Milton Walk of Fame was the highlites of their lives…and given the careers both individuals had, thats saying something.

I had the privilage of being the soccer coach of their grandson and despite hectic schedules and travelling all over the world where they are still in demand, he made it to most of his grandsons soccer games.

Through all of this they call Milton their home and they burst with pride when they do so.

There are a number (way to many too count) of Miltonians who have lived here and currently live here that deserve the honour of having a school named after them and Tiger Jeet Singh IS one of those people.

What do you think? Feel free to submit your comments below.

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