Legends and wonderful causes.
Former Stillwater High School Football Coach, James H. Harris, could be described as having them both. He was/always will be a legend, and he started an absolutely wonderful cause in 1995 that continues to do great things. a quarter century later. Coach Harris passed away in 2015 at age 89.
Am I partial??
You bet I am!!!
He was my high school assistant football coach, later head football coach, later medical patient of mine, and, always, a dear friend and gentleman..
How about a little history, dear readers in Our Town and far beyond?
I didn't play Stillwater Junior High football, but did play my sophomore year (fall of 1962) at then C.E. Donart High (later named SHS). Coach Harris was an assistant coach for then head man, Tom Turvey. From that 10th grade year on, I thought Coach Harris was a very fair, even-tempered person, and an excellent high school football coach, When Coach Turvey left before the 1963 season began, Coach Harris was named to replace him as our head coach. We had a marvelous run to the top that season in then Class A, losing in the state championship game to the Oklahoma City John Marshall Bears on ice-covered (literally) Owen Field on the OU campus. In my 1964 senior season, we went 7-4, but were highly-ranked most of the year, and, we had 9 senior players on that team go on to play college football. Much of our success for all 3 high school football seasons back then, was, in my humble opinion, because of Coach Harris' football knowledge and dedication. However, the most important reason was his keen personality in dealing with our team players, and the rest of our coaching staff
In the fall 1967, when I was attending OSU for my junior year of college, Coach Harris led the Pioneers to the then Class AA state title victory, the only one ever in the history of our beloved high school. In 1999, the iconic coach was induced into the Oklahoma Coaches' Hall of Fame. Wow!!
Better than all the previously mentioned accolades, however, this one began in 1995, when Coach Harris organized his best achievement of them all. It was then he established the Stillwater Pioneer Athlete Memorial (SPAM) at Stillwater High School. The first inductees were honored in 1996, and the entire annual process is still going strong, over 25 years later!
Remember earlier, folks, I mentioned I was bias regarding this subject? Well, for several years, I was fortunate to serve on the memorial's board of directors. During this special time for me, I saw the inner workings of a cross-section of the Stillwater community, male and female, young and old, etc., diligently volunteering many personal hours in order to recognize and honor former SHS student-athletes. I was/am particularly impressed with the amount of time, energy, and shear passion long-time members Tom Dearinger, Max Talley and Ann Jay Berry have devoted to this incredible organization. My hat off to them for their extreme dedication to this outstanding local cause..
Stillwater is such a special town to zillions of people. One of the many plus-reasons for Our Town's appeal, it has always had a true passion of giving as a community. We have SO many great, compassionate organizations that provide an abundance of complimentary goods, services, and awards for our citizens In my opinion, SPAM is right up there near the top of the list of local organizations to always be supported.
A huge "Thank You!", Coach Harris. Your eternal flame burns on through SPAM in Our Town!
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