There was no wrecking ball or ceremonial implosion. Of course it isn't Reunion Arena or Texas Stadium. But the football field and its grandstand that has served Marcus High School and its feeder Middle Schools for over 20 years began to fall to demolition today. The site is being cleared for construction of the long awaited Marauder Stadium, scheduled to open in Fall of 2010.The facility held many memories for parents who sat in the stands through Middle School games on Mondays and Tuesdays, and Sub-Varsity games on Thursday nights. It has hosted Homecoming Pep Rallies in recent years, was the site where Coach Kevin Kilgo's inaugural JV Red Team went 10-0 in 2008, and is where the character of many young men was developed through the years by Coaches Que Brittain, Randy Mayes, and Bryan Erwin along with their staffs.
One professional football career and numerous college careers were nurtured on this field, not only in evening games but in grinding practices throughout the seasons.
The facility also played host to boys and girls soccer matches and numerous cross country and track and field events through the years.
Personal Reflection: Did you know that a football field, including end zones and sidelines, has approximately 57,600 square feet of field turf? As I viewed the piles of field turf that had been mutilated by the demolition equipment, I couldn't help but think - where was the 'leadership' of the MFBC?
At $1 a square foot, souvenirs could have been sold to football and soccer alumni, parents, etc. The whole field might not have sold, but imagine the new equipment and supplies that could have been bought 'for the boys'. I did happen to notice that the 50 yard marker is still there. If I were half the man I was 20 years ago, I'd climb over the fence in face paint and dark clothes tonight and cut it out and take it home for my pool deck.
7 comments:
DO IT!!!!!!!
Thank heavens that Slick Willie and Lamb Chop aren't around anymore. They'd have that stuff on eBay faster than you could say 'pass the apple cobbler'.
Replies:
1.) Too old and too tired!
2.) Apple cobbler, thirty seven milkshakes, rack of lamb . . . get in my belly! :-)
That's a shame, do you know how many dads and players would have shown up to a ceremony? a lot of blood, sweat, tears and memories happened on that field. I am glad they are building a stadium finally but they should have at least done something in the paper.
Well, Wade if your Dad and Bill Harrell were still around I know it would have been commemorated . . . but this bunch, please
The baseball parents tried to hold a ceremony for the final game at the field and I believe one ex player showed up.
They could have at least invited parents like Crowder, Heath and Sherman, who put so much time into making that field one of the best in the Metroplex.
Heard the new baseball field won't be as nice, by any stretch.
Actually, the baseball parents had planned a 'finale' for the last regular season home game vs. Hebron but that all went askew with the swine flu cancellations.
I was driving down Dixon Lane last week and looked into the construction site where the new driveway is and to my surprise I saw the outfield fence and foul poles of the new baseball field!
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