San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom announced the change during yesterday's public memorial service for Walsh at Monster Park, where the late 49ers coach helped orchestrate the building of the 49ers dynasty in the 1980s.

"He had an awful lot of success on that field," Coach Mike Nolan said. "He owned it for quite a while. It's great they finally gave it the appropriate name."

Defensive end Bryant Young said naming the field after the three-time Super Bowl winner and Hall of Fame coach will serve as a regular reminder of Walsh's legacy.

"I think it will bring a lot of recognition, and people will always know what's been associated with Bill Walsh, not only for the 49ers organization but across the NFL," Young said.

About 8,000 people turned out for the final farewell to Walsh, who died of leukemia at 75 on July 30. Hall of Fame quarterbacks Joe Montana and Steve Young, former owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. and former team president Carmen Policy were among the speakers who paid tribute to Walsh.

"The field is looking as good as it ever looked," Steve Young told the crowd after hearing Newsom's announcement.

Pointing toward the sideline, Young added, "He stood right over there. And he reveled in the dismantling of the best defenses in the NFL. How many times did we see that?