PackAttack

What he said....

I think RB Eric Curl was on that 88 team. Not a bad team. You know Carter had to forfeit that win over Lufkin because they were playing ineligible players.

Something written back in 2011 by Gary Ivins, so I don't know at this point. We are in the Quick Era now and it has been 25 years since Culpepper was here.All coaches past and present have contributed to the Lufkin program in some form or fashion. Everyone's perspective on those contributions can be different I guess.

I did not know Culpepper. However there were many around here that did know him that said he was a nut. Their words not mine. Never met the man.

Thanks for the info. This was a reprint of an article in the Lufkin Daily News by Gary Ivins aka Big Nasty. His source for the story came from Mike Capps who was one of the folks who regenerated the club back in 1995. I think Coach Ed Cauley and Coach John Slaughter was here after your Dad, so one of them may have been the culprits to dissolve the club. I know nothing before 1995.

My deepest sympathy and prayers for your loss. To know your family as long as I have makes me feel this loss much more. My apologies too for not posting about her illness before now, because you told me about it last Friday night. She lived a good 88 years and was one of the greatest Lufkin Panther anything fan around. Those scrapbooks will always mean something to those players that were lucky enough to receive one. As the scripture speaks, this world is not our home, however the Panther Nation has lost a true patron.

That's okay. It was really hard to tell from that old grainy black and white photo. On the other note, there are not current banners of any kind out at ABE except the lighted sign on top of the scoreboard indicating Lufkin's lone Championship. However, I have an idea about a sign to indicate all of Lufkin High's and Dunbar's playoff history.........we will see.

Maybe I can help here. Give me some time to work.

What makes me think it may be Dunbar is they had a black uniform with the stripe down the pants. The white helmet was a standard back then and it does look a Tiger on the side. You know it has been awhile, forty five years to be exact, the brain plays tricks on you after that many years. Dangerfield was the visitors for that game at the old SFA stadium too.

It was exciting to watch Dunbar play because they played a more open brand of football than Lufkin, they actually threw the ball more and Lufkin ran more. Oh no, we went inside just like watching a Panther game, sat and watched or stood at the fence by the sidelines, there were lots or white folks that came to watch Dunbar play ball. Lufkin at that time had blacks and whites working together at Lufkin Industries and Texas Foundries and they knew each others kids were playing football and they would all come out to watch football together. Now, Lufkin High games before integration was a little more segregated although they had a black player on the team in 1968 They had a RB cat named Ray Harper in 1968 that could flat out tote the ball. Ray Harper was one of the first black students to integrate Lufkin High School was a record-setting running back for the Panthers, Ray also earned a full-ride football scholarship to Baylor University. Today, he's a businessman in Houston. In fact he is #3 and #5 respectively on the Panther all time rusher list with 1297 yards in 1968 and 1500 yards in 1969. In 1968 Lufkin finished 8-1-1 scoring 279 point and giving up only 102. In 1969 they were 8-2 scoring 179 point and giving up 104. Only one team went to the playoffs back in those days, so Texas High went in '68 and Longview in '69 based on our district loss to them. I think LHS would have competed well with Dunbar in those years.

School colors were black and gold, I think they would have been good games against Lufkin High especially back in those State contending years for sure. Many would say that they were better than LHS. We will never know. I remember guys like D.C.Nobles at quarterback. Was young back in those days, but I lived only about 3 blocks from Panther Stadium(located where the old Boys & Girls Club is today) and would walk up to the games every Saturday night and watch those Tigers play. In 1968 when they played Dangerfield and lost 7-6 was a cold and icy day at old SFA stadium. Dangerfield lead most of the game 7-0 but Dunbar scored late and went for 2 and did not make it. They played in a district with Diboll that year, Diboll had a very good team with Nick Trout at RB but they were no match for Dunbar that year losing at Panther field 21-7. When integration occurred for Lufkin in 1970, you had coaches like Willie Ross and Elmer Redd coming over to LHS, Redd would be at the U of H the next year coaching going there with Lufkin O lineman Everett Little and he was instrumental in several other Lufkin players going there while he was at the U of H. To my knowledge, they did not play Lufkin in any sport that I recall because they were in the Prarieview League and then 2A UIL and Lufkin was 4A. Been a long time so I do not recall all things. As far as being a HS today, this was a big part of the federal governments 1954 Brown vs the Board of Education desegregation act and Civil Rights Act of 1964 under president Democrat Lyndon Johnson and unanimously approved by the Supreme Court, made this a law. As far as the schools you mentioned are considered, they are integrated UIL schools today however are located in large areas that have majority black populations. If I remember, desegregation came to a head again in the Supreme Court's 1971 decision, one of the first attempts to implement a large-scale urban desegregation plan. The proposal called for district-wide desegregation and allowed for the use of busing to achieve integration. Court-ordered busing, as it came to be known, was fiercely attacked, not least by the administration of President Richard Nixon. Busing was criticized as undermining the sanctity of neighborhood schools, as social engineering, as impractical and unworkable, and as intrusive and inappropriate judicial meddling. Busing did draw lots of public attention, but largely overlooked the facts that few students were bused for the purpose of desegregation and, indeed, that busing worked -- especially in the South where school districts are often countywide and include both central cities and suburbs. For example in 1964, 1.2 percent of African American students in the South attended school with whites. By 1970, the figures had risen to 32 percent. It was not without controversy, with the ending of rich traditions for those black HS involved closing their doors. I remember those days and was thankful I was more well adjusted to the changes than many of my friends then, who were quite obstructive to the idea, both white and black. Thankful times have changed but not quite where they should be IMO. That is all I can remember for now, maybe more will come to me later.

I did not become a Sideliner until 1995, but I was told Culpepper did not want to deal with talking to or supporting a football booster group, Kind of surprising since he came from UT. This was the story told me by the ones who brought back the organization in 1995. I did not know Culpepper well.

As I’m sure all of you Panther fans know, the Lufkin Sideliners Club, which is one of the big booster clubs for our football team, dates all the way back to the early 1940’s. However, some may not know what we do at all and how we are involved. You don't need have a child in Lufkin ISD, mine have been gone since 2001 and there are many others who have stuck around long after their children have graduated and continue to serve. There is a BIG reason why I post this article after comments I heard last night about the Sideliners Club from some totally uninformed folks. I challenge anyone to take up the spear of volunteering to do this work for the kids and if not should keep any negative comments about us and to me, to themselves. It was all I could do last night to stay cordial about things said and I did stay respectful. It's also what happens when someone only hears 1/2 of a conversation and then reacts to only the part they heard. Which was the word "Lose". Not going to explain any further, because the whole thing was ridiculous. There are many who wear the Sideliner hat and shirt who are not active in what we do or ever attend a meeting. They pay their $75 bucks for a hat and shirt and that is the last we ever see of them, if ever we do see them at all. We still Thank you for that support. However, we do hope you will consider finding out more about us and being more involved with the organization and supporting the kids at LHS. This is a reprint article, that has been updated a little, originally written by Gary Ivins for the LDN. During the mid-1980s, for one reason or another, Coach Pat Culpepper did away with the once proud booster club. Some thought him to be a real nut job, just don't know. So to say things were not in good shape back in 1995 when Coach John Outlaw was brought in would be an understatement. Then in the summer of 1995 after Coach Outlaw was hired, he got a phone call and an invitation for lunch. Of course, Coach Outlaw, not one to pass up a free meal, met with two longtime Panther fans at Pit Stop BBQ, Mike Capps and the late Carl “Doaker” Williams. And what was supposed to be a simple lunch turned into the beginning of the resurgence of the Lufkin Sideliners Club, one of the top booster clubs in the state. It started off with just a couple of early projects. Dressing rooms and the press box at Abe Martin Stadium were in bad shape. Coach Outlaw needed an AC unit and stools, desk and chairs for the coaches’ office, computer equipment to help scout opponents and the weights and height of our kids — basic things of course. So the first thing “Doaker” and Mr. Capps did was call another big Panther fan, Mr. Artie Dixon. And of course Mr. Dixon was there to help, installing a window unit and bringing in furniture the next day. The next step was to get set up as a charity and non-profit organization. For that the guys turned to Bill Ricks, with The Zeleskey Law Firm. Then there was the meeting right before the 1995 season with about 30 Panther fans present. Mike Capps was nominated as the president and just like that, the Sideliners Club was back. Now most of us see everything the Lufkin Sideliners Club has provided for Lufkin ISD, from the renovation of the press box, new lights and dressing rooms at Abe Martin, to teaming with Lufkin Coca-Cola to bring the Packtron to Lufkin, to the inflatable Pack helmet that you see at every game, even on the road. There are special fans such as current president Todd Kassaw. There is Randy Odom and Mark Jackuback, who for 10 years make sure the Pack Helmet and tunnel are transported and set up at Panther every game, weather permitting, Oscar Kennedy, Judge Paul White, Steve Lewis, Charles Randall, Gary McCoy and many others who travel to every road game at their own expense to have our Panthers looking good. But those are just some of the things you see about the Sideliner Panther booster club. Not only do the Sideliners team up with the Mothers Club to help our kids in any way they can, they also provide for all Panther sports. If Coach Ouick needs nets for the soccer team, he calls the Sideliners. Repairs at Panther Gym? Call the Sideliners. Help with getting cheerleaders to nationals? Call the Sideliners. Debate team needs help? Call the Sideliners. And those are just some of the things the Lufkin Sideliners Club has helped with, there are too many to mention here. However, what the Sideliners are the most proud of — are the more than $150,000 of scholarships that have been handed out over the last 16-plus years to Lufkin Panther athletes. So you see, the Lufkin Sideliners do a lot to help the student athletes here in Lufkin and we are very fortunate to have the Mothers Club from a football perspective and the Lufkin Sideliners Club from an athletic program perspective. And while some may believe that sometimes people get too involved and wrapped up in sports, I know a group of guys that feel the same way I do. High school sports can do a lot of good for many different reasons. They help kids get opportunities both athletically and academically, and it can bring a community together like nothing else I’ve ever seen. Where else can you look up and see 10,000 fans from so many different backgrounds cheering for the same thing? At Abe Martin Stadium and John Outlaw Field, that’s where!

http://www.rexnelsonsouthernfried.com/?p=3207 As we approach the 2012 Panther football season, a new era of Lufkin football will begin. It will be the first time in 17 years that we will not see Coach John Outlaw on the Abe Martin sidelines leading our kids on to the field. It has been 7 months since his passing and it is easy to forget and get caught up in the other things in our lives. However on the night of September 7th in Abe Martin Stadium, Lufkin's home opener, the reality that he his no longer here will hit home for us all and finally complete and seal the circle of what he accomplished here in Lufkin. My heart is still heavy when I think of John and what he did for the kids and the community of Lufkin Texas. As you read the article above you will notice he did the same everywhere he coached and was a winner A special man with a God given talent to work and develop kids into the best they could be. He cared so much for their well being and wanted all to be successful in life. So glad that Coach Todd Quick has the opportunity to guide and build the Pack program now. Realizing he is not a John Outlaw, he will now make this program his own. However it is comforting to know that John had 26 years of influence coaching with Todd, so I am sure there will still be a little of Outlaw still present in the Panther program for years to come. That to me is comforting to know. Go Pack!

Thanks for all the kind words. It really was a labor of love for the Pack kids and fans for all those years. Our crowning moment you might say was when we were recognized in the October 6th, 2006 issue of Sports Illustrated as one of the best high school team websites in the Nation. Quite an honor we never ever expected in our wildest dreams. However something we will always remember along with the awesome years watching John Outlaw and his kids be an elite force to reckoned with in 5A football.

The Lufkin Panther Sports football site is changing hands after 10 years being operated by my son Derek and myself. Lee Miller of MSGPR will principally tke over the operation of the LPS site and will add a new look to the site very soon. Thanks for 10 1/2 great and exciting years doing the LP site. My son and I together covered and witnessed a lot of awesome Lufkin Panther Football through those years. It was a blast. Memories we will never forget. We will keep updating until the final transition is made in a few weeks and then maybe stay on as a moderator only. Thanks to all the incredible Lufkin Panther Fans who helped make the site so special. The future is bright for the Lufkin Panther Sports site that we started back in 2002. Of course I won't be far away and still help to moderate the site for as long as Lee Miller will allow me to do so. Lufkin is going to be fun to watch in the coming years. New leadership under Coach Todd Quick will be good for Lufkin. John Outlaw set the standard here for what a winning program should be and Quick knew him better than any of us. Thnks again for all the support, the site would have been nothing without it's membership being a part. Thank You Thank You. God Bless.

Found this Tribute video to Coach Outlaw on youtube. Gone Too Soon.............

Video: News Conference after Outlaw's death held at Memorial Health Systems of East Texas.

Abe Martin was here 7 years and what he accomplished here as a football coach was the best ever up until the time the stadium we now call Abe Martin was built in 1973. My uncle, grandfather and mother all knew Mr. Martin or were at Lufkin High when he coached there, they talked alot about those times to me when they were living. He like Outlaw had great influence on the kids but mostly the ones on just one side of the tracks. Lufkin was about 5000 population at the time and media coverage was limited to mostly a newpaper or radio. Just a different time and different era all together. It has been 69 years since Abe Martin coached in Lufkin. Anyone that played for Abe Martin in 1942 and still living would be 85 or 86 today. I don't think we should forget his legecy and time in Lufkin. He and John Outlaw both left their mark of success on Lufkin football. My biggest regret is our future kids will not get to know and play for John Outlaw. Someday, 60 or 70 years from now, they will be asking the same question, Who was John Outlaw? That is just the way it is, we have our time on this earth and we are only remembered for a short time by the people in the present day. As we all fade away, so will the memory of those we honor today to the generations who follow us. My thought is we need to honor Outlaw in some way now. Whether it be renaming the stadium or football field or indoor workout facility in the name of John Outlaw.

A little Abe Martin Bio 101: Othol Hershel "Abe" Martin (October 18, 1908 – January 11, 1979) was an American football player, coach, and college athletics administrator. He served as the head coach at Texas Christian University from 1953 to 1966, compiling a record of 74–64–7. Martin was the athletic director at Texas Christian from 1966 to 1975. After graduating from TCU in 1932, Martin began his coaching career at El Paso High School in 1934, where he won two district championships. In 1936, he moved across the state to coach at Lufkin High School, where he compiled a record of 66–10, with four district championships. He left coaching in 1943, but returned in 1944 to coach at Paschal High School in Fort Worth. In 1945, he returned to TCU to coach football, and in 1953 was finally elevated to the head coaching position upon the retirement of Dutch Meyer. From 1953 to 1966, he coached the Horned Frogs to a 74–64–7 record, during which they appeared in the Cotton Bowl Classic three times, as well as the Sun Bowl and Bluebonnet Bowl once each. He coached seven All-Americans at TCU, including Jim Swink and Bob Lilly Abe Martin coached in Lufkin from 1936-1942. His record at Lufkin was 66-10. Martin left Lufkin and coaching for one year just before the 1943 season started for personal reasons. His assitant coach Buck Prejean was named head coach just before the season and led the 1943 team to Lufkin's first State Championship game in the schools history against San Angelo. Lufkin played on December 24th in Waco, but lost 26-13. Although Abe Martin did not coach the 1943 team many in Lufkin said it was still Martin's team and the players played in his name that season. His record at Lufkin, including the 1943 season, points scored and allowed: 1936 10-2-0 263-65 Abe Martin 1937* 10-1-0 351-31 Abe Martin 1938* 10-1-0 299-38 Abe Martin 1939 8-2-0 199-34 Abe Martin 1940 9-2-0 227-59 Abe Martin 1941 8-1-1 391-13 Abe Martin 1942* 11-1-0 407-54 Abe Martin 1943* 12-1-1 389-86 Buck Prejean * District Champions

We are listening to all options.

How does John Outlaw Memorial Stadium sound and Abe Martin field?

Remembering John Outlaw from the Longview News Journal. Great article and more insight to the enormous effect John Outlaw had with people and Texas High School football. Much respect from the coaches of Lufkin's greatest rival today. http://www.news-journal.com/sports/john-ou...55c881ae2f.html

Shawn, simply put, Thank You for your words and thoughts. Hope you are continuing to do well, I can't believe it has been 5 years since your move to Oklahoma. Your thoughts about John Outlaw are just a continued testament to the hundreds of other sentiments this weekend about the calibur of the man and influence he had on his Panther children and the Lufkin community he loved. My life has about 14 years of memories about John Outlaw, while working with and helping to lead the Lufkin Sideliners. The mutual respect for his work that will influence me the remaining days of my life. I will never again put the "L" up and not think of John Outlaw. Shawn appreciate your time here, Godspeed to you and your family.

DUNBAR HIGH Kenny Houston (S) - Oilers, Redskins (Pro Football Hall of Fame) Joe Williams - Dallas Cowboys