As construction workers scurry around the rubble that used to be Tiger Field, memories wash over me as I consider all the time I have spent there as athlete, fan and writer.
My memories of Tiger Field are not all pleasant.
While preparing for upcoming basketball seasons, we ran bleachers nonstop in the heart of the day under the blazing Texas sun.
I was under the impression that basketball was an indoor sport. Gerald Adams thought differently.
I recall during early two-a-days, doing the log roll drill in the east end zone with Harvey Dean and Lloyd Davidson.
Let’s just say that Harvey and Lloyd were a tad more sturdy than I was. I wisely chose to concentrate on basketball as we all went forward.
My favorite football memory is from 1975 when while trying to preserve a 13-9 homecoming victory over Taylor, quarterback Martin Stroman was charged with running out the final few seconds–which he took literally.
Stroman took the snap from Doyle Moore and started backpedaling towards Taylor’s end zone with Duck defenders in hot pursuit.
The shifty Stroman began dancing and dodging frustrated Taylor tacklers and as the last Duck tried to corral Stroman, he stuck the ball in his face as the clock ran out.
Best game? The 1997 Battle of the Bell between Rockdale and Cameron. It’s the most people I have ever seen at a Tiger football game.
Both teams entered the battle 9-0 and it had all the earmarks of a classic.
With Cameron leading 10-6, Tiger quarterback Devaris Moore broke free down the far sideline for a touchdown, but the score was called back because Rockdale was flagged for holding.
The Yoemen held on for the controversial victory.
Best game 1A? The 2016 Battle of the Bell which falls into the “I can’t believe what I’m seeing” category.
The two teams combined for 61 points in the third quarter alone in Rockdale’s wild west show, 80-54 victory.
It was 74-54 at the end of the third quarter.
Along with giving me a serious case of carpel-tunnel, for the first time in my career, I had to flip my score sheet over and write on the back.
Hopefully, some of that good mojo—which has been on high alert here lately— will transfer over to the new place and the ghosts of Tiger successes past will produce a treasure trove of great stories to pass on.
The 5ive
Here are five famous visiting players that played on Tiger Field:
1. Johnny “Lam” Jones, Lampasas (1976)—Schoolboy legend had his moments on some bad Badger teams.
2. Roosevelt Leaks, Bren-ham (1969)—Texas star was third in Heisman Trophy voting in 1973.
3. Alfred Jackson, Caldwell (1974)—After UT, wide receiver played seven years in the NFL.
4. John Randle, Hearne (1985)—Has a bust in the NFL Hall of Fame.
5. Ervin Randle (1982)-John’s big brother spent eight years in the NFL.
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