"A Few Tears, Loads Of Memories,
Expressed at Cumby Field Dedication, Saturday"

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

Former Cumby High School Students visit beneath visual displays of the "Golden Era of Cumby," 1976--80,
when Frazier and Lawrence Coached at the school.

 

Thomas Wolfe wrote the famous book "You Can't Go Home Again," but for a few hours Saturday, Cumby High School Alumni from 1976-1980 accomplished that fete, as they looked back to a time when things were great in the small western Hopkins County community and paid tribute to two men who made it all happen. It was the dedication ceremonies for the Cumby High School Football Field, naming it "Frazier-Lawrence Field," in honor of coaches Rick Frazier (deceased) and Chuck Lawrence. The two coaches came to Cumby in 1976, not much older than the students themselves, and instilled a pride and winning spirit, that continues today.

 

 

Lou Ann Higginbotham Petty headed the committee for naming the Cumby Football Field "Frazier-Lawrence Field."

 

Lou Ann Higginbotham Petty, a student at Cumby High School during that time, headed a committee that accomplished the naming of the field and planned a day of activities to celebrate the influence of Frazier and Lawrence. "The idea came to us at Coach Rick Frazier's funeral," expressed Petty. "And, this community, in true fashion, got behind the project, lent their support and we're here to honor these two coaches who meant so much to us!"

 

 

Cumby Alumni look through scrapbooks, admire trophies, and review
pictures, at Saturday's reception.

 

Saturday morning's reception featured trophies, newspaper clippings, football programs, pictures, and slide presentations of the "Golden Era of Cumby," when the Cumby Trojans won their only District Football Title. Coach Chuck Lawrence, now the Head Coach and Athletic Director at his hometown of Mineral Wells, and his family, along with the family of deceased Coach Rick Frazier, were on-hand to share a world of memories with the former students, their parents, and the community.

 

Jenny Lawrence, wife of Coach Chuck Lawrence, tells the audience of the impact
that students at Cumby High School made on their lives, as they accepted their first
coaching assignment.

 

 

Jenny Lawrence, wife of Chuck Lawrence, took the microphone and related that back in 1976 she and Chuck were just dating, and hadn't married yet. "He called me up and told me that he was going to accept the job at Cumby with Coach Frazier and I told him he had lost his mind! He only lacked one semester completing his degree at Texas A&M and I wanted him near me in school at Austin," remembered Jenny Lawrence. "I truly hated Cumby! But, you know, I kept coming up here to see him, and sharing his time with the students, and soon I found the charm of this community. I was welcomed with open arms, and I now tell people that it was the beginning of our growing into adulthood. You people captured our hearts and made a lasting impression on our lives, that we'll always treasure!"

 

Tim Lawrence, son of Coach Chuck Lawrence, paid tribute to Coach Rick Frazier, as he sang
Josh Groban's "You Lift Me Up," in honor of his father's coaching partner.

 

Lawrence's son, Tim, took the microphone and sang "You Lift Me Up," the Josh Groban song, and had the entire audience in tears, as he paid tribute to Coach Rick Frazier, his father's best friend, and coaching partner.

 

"I am strong when I'm on your shoulders...
You raised me up to be more than I could be...
You raised me up so I could stand on mountains...
You raised me up to walk on stormy seas...
You raised me up to be more than I can be...."

 

 

Karen Frazier Hernandez, and her three children, Donnie, Joleena, and Brianna, each spoke to the crowd, during Saturday's ceremonies and related memories of their own. "Yes, there are many of you in the crowd, who I've seen at my apartment, back at a time when Rick and I were first married!" exclaimed Karen. "But, you were our first students and friends for life, as we all grew-up together. My children continue to hear the 'Cumby stories' and have been reared on them. Rick is smiling down on all of us today and loving every minute of this great honor to his memory!"

 

 

With tears in his eyes.....Coach Chuck Lawrence shared memories of his students at Cumby High School
and of coaching with his friend and partner, Rick Frazier.

 

"Look at this photograph...
Every time I do, it makes me laugh....
And, this is where I grew up...
I think the present owner fixed it up...
And, this is where I went to school...
I wonder if it is too late...
Should I go back and try to graduate?
We used to listen to the radio...
And sing along with every song we knew...
We said someday we'd find out how it feels
To sing to more than just the steering wheel....
Kim's the first girl I kissed...
I was so nervous, that I nearly missed...."

 

 

A moving slide presentation accompanied by the 1970's and 1980's period music was presented, that showed the many highlights of the 1976-80 era at Cumby High School. Students and friends related memories, and paid tribute to the coaches and their families.

 

"We are the champions.....
We are the champions of the world....."

 

 

 

 

Refreshments of a giant cake, soft drinks, and snacks were served, and then the group made their way to the field, where official presentations of roses to Jenny and Karen, football helmets, plaques, and a sign that will be placed on the fieldhouse were presented.

 

 

Cumby High School Alumni lined the football field to pay homage to Frazier and Lawrence, on Saturday.

 

Karen Frazier Hernandez, wife of Coach Rick Frazier, addressed the citizens of Cumby and related some
of her special memories of the community and joining her husband in his first coaching assignment.

 

Donnie Frazier, son of Coach Rick Frazier, accepts the momentos on his father's behalf, at Saturday's
dedication ceremonies, including this placard that will be installed on the fieldhouse.

 

Former Cumby Coach Chuck Lawrence, flanked by his family, thanked the citizens of Cumby!

 

 

"I'm deeply humbled and honored that you chose to recognize me and my best friend, Rick Frazier," expressed a tearful Chuck Lawrence. "You were our first and will always be engraved in our hearts! And, I know Rick well enough that he's here with us today, smiling down on these activities and treasuring them just as I do!"

 

Tears and favorite memories were shared as students visited with Lawrence and the coaches' families.

 

 

 

The sign designating the "Frazier-Lawrence Field" above the concession stand was unveiled, as Cumby High School Alumni lined the field and paid tribute to their mentors.

 

 

Then, the Cumby Trojan Football Team made everyone proud with a 49-20 victory over the Union Hill Bulldogs, making it a perfect day in Cumby, on Saturday!!!

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