The Brownwood Lions are still ranked in the top ten in Texas as far as winning ballgames. Seven State Championships, and I hope that there are some more in the future. It’s going to be a little bit exciting because of whose coming, oh well, that’s way in the future.
We opened in 1963. That’s where my career began, and I have no idea what the score – well I do to. I can tell you what the scores were when it comes to Stephenville and people like that. Obviously, I remember the State Championship teams and it’s all going from there. I get excited when I think about them! I was around back when they started in the 1960’s. We had a State Championship team in 1965, a little icing on the cake from 1960. Then there was ’67, and then there was ‘69 and ’70, and the beat goes on and on and on. All of those were in the old press box except for her last two.
I remember when I first went in that press box. Well, there were two guys in the first booth, there were no doors, two guys in the second booth – that was Ken and me – and then two in the third booth down, no doors and they ran the clock or did something. That was it! Six men in the press box. At one time, that was all that it held! That’s all. Six people in a press box. Then they put that thing up on top that looked like an upper shelf where I spent many a night watching ballgames and practicing calling them and stuff like that. Six men! You know, six men ran the whole thing. That one doesn’t exist anymore, but it was called Lion Stadium or Old Lion Stadium and we had some great memories from that place.
Then we went to the new Brown County Municipal something, something, something Stadium. That lasted about three games when I began calling it CenTex Stadium and it stuck until the stadium was renamed Gordon Wood Stadium where it is right now. I remember the first game played there. I remember kicking the ball off, but don’t know the score or anything else. It was a great new stadium.
Then, starting – I’ll get messed up on dates here – but starting right around the time Gordon left, they remodeled the press box. I actually broadcast out of four different locations before they finally got me in one and they said this is yours. They remodeled, combining two boxes to make it one, and were very, very nice to me. I enjoyed all of the upkeep of the stadium, all of the history of it, all of the games that were played at that time.
Back in about 1985 they started again and went into the ‘90s and it was just like everything was new again. It was a very special time and very special place – Gordon Wood Stadium.
Lo and behold, they got a bond passed and before you know it we’re going to have all new stuff at the high school. All new stuff coming together. Basketball has probably improved their space somewhat. Softball added turf. Baseball is a big change! Baseball, oh man, it is just….They tore that stadium down and put up a new one. Now, they are finishing up at the stadium and guess what, it’s going to be brand new. I can’t tell what’s going in there. Looks like seats up before long with a roof over it. New press box. Also, a big parking lot to share which will be safe. Baseball is fixed.
Now football, it’s just unbelievable. The building at the high school, workout facility is unreal. They’re doing the same thing at the stadium. It’s going to be beautiful at the “old” stadium which is about to become new. I’m getting excited again. Maybe, maybe, the only thing missing will be some games that I sure wish we had won at Gordon Wood and I think it’s doing to help us in that regard. New press box, elevator and new everything. The seats will be new. The stadium will be a little bit bigger because they’re going to take down the press box and build a new one. They will add more seats.
It’s going to be a gorgeous time and a special time at Brownwood High School.
Until next time, so long everybody.
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‘Out of the Box’ with Dallas Huston is published each Monday morning at BrownwoodNews.com. Dallas was the radio voice of the Brownwood Lions and Howard Payne Yellow Jackets for more than 55 years. He currently is Pastor of Center City Baptist Church and hosts a Men’s Bible Study in Brownwood on Monday evenings. Your comments are welcome at [email protected].