Crimson Tide

(Baseball, basketball, football, swimming & track histories are in alph. order below. Scroll down to see the pictures

& history with the exception of quarterback football plus some new data which can be found at the top of the page.)

Jimmie Nolan Woods - Graduate of MHS - Class of 1964 - He is sleeping in the Gardens of Memory in section in Gardens of the Fountain of Youth, Row 12, Lot 47, Sp Sp 1; His marker reads that he was born 20 Apr 1946 and died 2 Nov 1973. Jimmie died after finishing college at NSU. He played football at Nortwestern after finishing at MHS. He was a fine young man.

Minden has also produced several sports stars. David Allen Lee (born 1943) is a retired industrial executive in Bossier City in Bossier Parish who holds National Football League punting records during his tenure with the former Baltimore Colts from 1966-1978. Prior to his professional duties, Lee played for Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, the seat of Lincoln Parish.

Charles T. "Charlie" Hennigan (born 1935), originally from Bienville Parish, graduated from Minden High School in 1953 and played for Northwestern State University in Natchitoches before joining the newly-created Houston Oilers in 1960.

Fred Haynes (1946-2006), a 1964 Minden High School graduate, became a champion college quarterback at LSU, where he was affectionately known as the "Littlest Tiger" because of his modest physical size.

Larry Clinton Brewer (born 1948), a 1966 graduate of Minden High School, played successfully for Louisiana Tech and joined the Atlanta Falcons after college graduation but was unable to meet the commitment because of an injury. Brewer became a certified public accountant and worked in hospital management until his death of a drowning accident in 2003 while on a family vacation in Hawaii. He was living in Sand Springs, Oklahoma, near Tulsa at the time of the tragedy.

I would like to add some history on the Quarterbacks in my era of my time. 1937 O. H. Haynes, 1938 O. H. Haynes. He lead the team to be State Champions that year, also mention as one of the outstanding quarterbacks that year in the state. 1939 Howard Crockett #1, Webster Nation #2, Tom Alley #3. 1940 Tom Alley, 1941 Tom Alley. Also I would like to mention that Tom Alley is the only MHS Quarterback to win allstate two years in a row. 1942 Jake Monzingo. CARTER NORMAN

Quarterback History - Submitted by Coach Greg Grambling

I just did a little research with the old Grigs on the web. ALBERT HARRINGTON appears
to have been the quarterback in the 1919 season. The Grig lists the players like they
played the T formation in 1941. TOM ALLEY (retired Vet in Minden) is listed as the
quarter-back. I think he was the "blocking back" since all the halfbacks are pictured
in position to take a single wing snap. In the 1947 Grig, there are two pictures of the
top 22 players lined up in the Notre Dame Box formation. I can't make out the number
the tailback in the top picture of the bottom picture. It appears to be #24, # JIMMY
LEFTWICH. He would be the one player who did the job of the current quarterback, that
is, threw passes.

Football player pictures from the 1939 Grig ('that would be '38 football season). The one player in a passing pose was #68. Checking the '39 Grig, I would say he was GEORGE CALVIT.
He was probably the QB. DR TOM ALLEY was probably the 1941 QB.

I CAN'T REALLY READ THE NAMES AND NUMBERS ON THE WEBSITE THAT WELL. I'M RESEARCHING BY TRIAL AND ERROR. THE CHANGE IN FOOTBALL TERMINOLOGY AND THE EVOLUTION OF FORMATIONS AND POSITIONS MAKES IT EXTRA HARD TO PINPOINT WHO WAS THE "QUARTERBACK" AS WE KNOW THE POSITION. IF YOU'LL LOOK CLOSELY AT THE PICTURES OF THE 20'S TEAMS AND SOME OF THE 30'S YOU WILL ALSO NOTICE A DISTINCT DIFFERENCE IN THE BALL. IT WAS ROUNDER AND BIGGER AND MADE FOR KICKING AND RUNNING, NOT FOR THROWING. THE SMALLER, SLIMMER BALL CAME ABOUT IN THE 30'S AND MORE TEAMS STARTED PASSING MORE AND THUS THE QUARTERBACK EVOLVED. MAYBE WE SHOULD UNDERSCORE "T-FORMATION QUARTERBACKS" ON THIS LIST WITH A SEPARATE LIST OF PLAYERS WHO PASSED THE BALL IN THE 30'S AND 40'S FROM A SINGLE WING OR BOX FORMATION. EVEN WHEN PLAYERS ARE LISTED IN T FORMATION TERMINOLOGY DURING THE 20'S, THEY USUALLY SHIFTED OUT OF THAT FORMATION BEFORE THE BALL WAS SNAPPED SO THE TERMS DID NOT MEAN WHAT THEY MEAN TODAY.

James McCabe was MHS Quarterback in seasons 1952-53, 1953-54, and 1954-55. In the 1951-52 season he was a Freshman and although he did get to play some he was not the starting quarterback.

Artha Shine was the quarterback in 1986, 1987, and 1988. The '86 team
went 10-0 in the regular season, but lost in the play offs to Wossman,
who went on the win the AAA State Championship.

If you have any history you would like to add E-Mail us at MindenMemories@AOL.COM

I would like to add some history on the Quarterbacks in my era of my time. 1937 O. H. Haynes, 1938 O. H. Haynes. He lead the team to be State Champions that year, also mention as one of the outstanding quarterbacks that year in the state. 1939 Howard Crockett #1, Webster Nation #2, Tom Alley #3. 1940 Tom Alley, 1941 Tom Alley. Also I would like to mention that Tom Alley is the only MHS Quarterback to win allstate two years in a row. 1942 Jake Monzingo. CARTER NORMAN

Quarterbacks

1919 Albert Harrington

1921 Harvey Adkins

Photo by John Quade - His finger covered

up one of the players and his last name.

Is that Howard Crockett?

Can someone else send us this picture including to

the rest of the players?

Tom Alley is in the middle

From the 1938 Grig

1937 O.H. Haynes - He led the team to state championship that year - He won all state quarterback that year.

1938 - O. H. Haynes

1939 Howard Crockett #1

1939 Webster Nation #2

1939 Tom Alley #3

1941 Tom Alley - He was the only quarterback to win all state 2 years in a row.

1942 Jake Monzingo

See Athletic Awards - for a better view of this picture - Brinkley Crawford

Red Turner - End                             Charles Lewis - Guard

Jewel Shaw - Tackle                    Willey Miller - Most Valuable Player

Dalton Dean - End                         Bert Lee - Half Back

Billy Hadwin - Tackle                    O. H. Haynes -

Howard Crockett - Halfback         Ray Maddry - Tackle

Glynn Cox - Full Back

Submitted by Quade Photography, Minden, Louisiana

This photo was purchased from John Quade's Phototography in Minden, Louisiana - Main Street, Minden, Louisiana.

Does anyone know which MHS Grig this picture was in?

If anyone can identify the football players, e-mail us at mindenmemories@aol.com

68 Webster Nation,

62 Tom Alley

80 George Greene

52 ?

Class of 1939

1947 Jimmy Leftwich

1948/9 Lamar Pace

1950 Tommy Baggett and Gayle Wise

1951/52 Charles Miller

1853/54 James McCabe and Benton Irby was substitute quarterback and right 1/2 back.

1955 - David Nadrchal

1956 - Tommy Culpepper

1957 - Johnny Hudson

1958 - Dwayne Frye

1959/60 - Edwin Greer

LSU/Rice picture, Fred is #11, carrying the ball.

The picture that shows Fred and #54: #54 was from Fair Park and he gave
the picture to Fred because Fred did not have any similar to that. I came into possession

of it when the class of 1965 was trying to present him with an award at the '65 Homecoming..,

he finished in 1964, but we wanted to do something for him. It did not work out because

Fred's Mom was ill.

1961 - 63 -Fred Haynes (See the Fred Haynes Biography for more information)

1964- Mike Holliday - See Biography of Michael Holliday

At the last reunion of the class of 1965 I did a Power Point presentation on Mike Holliday, a great man and my good friend. I thought that there may be some of your readers who may have an interest in seeing this. Time is moving on.

Mike, Ted, Carr, & Fred. The Time:3:15.7. Coach Jordan told me after his mother died that we ran consistently around 3:20 and below. The runner who would replace Ted was Terry Sanders(?). M.H.S. best time in 1964 was 3:15.7
Mike O'Rear

Scroll down to see the Track information near the bottom of the page under the Swimmers.
Corrections and additions appreciated.

1965 - Bobby Lyle





1966 - Greg Grambling and Mike McKinney

1967 - Jerry Haynes

1977 - Carlton Protrho

1986 /87/88 - Artha Shine

2000-2004 - Chris Toland

2005 - Derek Cupples

The Crimson Tide did great this year. They made the play off and got beat in tripple over time 38-35 by East accencion out of Gonzales..

Derek Cupples set the all time passing record and singles record record for this year. He threw 23 touchdowns and 2386 yards. The Crimson Tide will miss him.

Derek Cupples and Coach Fester

Dakoata Haynes and Derek Cupples training a future quarter back.

L-R, Dakaota Haynes, Derek Cupples and Willie Penton

PRESENTING THE CUPPLES FAMILY AND

THREE GENERATIONS OF FOOTBALL AT MINDEN HIGH SCHOOL

David and Derek Cupples

I graduated in 1977 and I played between 72 and 76. My senior year we were
6-3-1 and did not make the play-offs, but we were the first team with a
winning record in Minden for the past 13 years at that point.

I was what they called a slot back on offense. I also was the deep return man on kick off and punts.

Due to my speed (4.4. in the 40 yard dash) and not minding to hit someone at full speed.

We had a very large team, so I chose to play offense instead of defense, but looking back I should've stayed on defense.

The others in the picture, Phillip Miller #30 who played full back on offense and linebacker on defense, as he was one on a few that

played both ways. Jimmy Walker #63 was an offensive lineman with #24 Otha Gordan being middle linebacker. None of us were

Quarterback material, we left that up to Carleton Prothro, who I think was number 11 also.

Regards,

David Cupples

Lisa, David and Derek Cupples

Derek with his Mom and Dad

Here are two more photos with Lisa, myself and Derek with the second one
being Derek and I. Mind the growth on my face as that was for my Halloween
outfit at which I won first place here in Minden and also in Rockingham, NC
a few days later. I was Captain Jack Sparrow from the movie the Pirates of
the Carribean.
Regards,
David Cupples

Here is a photo from my last high school game in
which we beat Parkway 13-12. From left to right are Phillip Miller, Jimmy
Walker, Otha Gordan and #25 is me.

I was what they called a slot back on offense. I also was the deep return man on kick off and punts.

Due to my speed (4.4. in the 40 yard dash) and not minding to hit someone at full speed.

We had a very large team, so I chose to play offense instead of defense, but looking back I should've stayed on defense.

The others in the picture, Phillip Miller #30 who played full back on offense and linebacker on defense, as he was one on a few that

played both ways. Jimmy Walker #63 was an offensive lineman with #24 Otha Gordan being middle linebacker. None of us were

Quarterback material, we left that up to Carleton Prothro, who I think was number 11 also.

Regards,

David Cupples

Derek Cupples, Dakota Haynes, Reid Butcher and Brady Dunn.

Football Sweetheart 1954, Mrs. Douglas ( Cortez David) Cupples

with her grandson, Derek Cupples, Quarterback for 2004

Derek Cupples and his grandfather, Douglas "Red" Cupples, on the sidelines during the Jonesboro Hodge game

He has had the pleasure of coaching both his grandsons in football
and baseball throughout most of their careers. The Shreveport Times also
gave Derek the honor as the All-Area Kicker, which is a selection of players
from most of North LA over to Ruston, but does not include Caddo Parish as
they have the All-City team for those honors.
Attached is a picture of Derek and my dad on the sidelines during the
Joneboro Hodge game. This years team had so much promise and talent, but the
injuries hit us at the most inopportune times, but this was still a very
good season. This is the first time in a while that many senior players are
being looked at by colleges from all over. Coach Feaster and his staff have
turned things around and showed these younger kids coming up the meaning of
hard work and how it pays off. The next few years should be exciting.
I'll scan you a picture of Derek and Coach Feaster after Minden's victory
over Springhill in 2004.
Regards,
David Cupples

Douglas "Red" Cupples, Charles "Squirrel" Harper and Clifford "Spot" Taylor point to a

poster of John David Crow before a football game between the Minden Crimson Tide and the Springhill Lumberjacks.

Roll Tide Toll

2006 Quarterback- The new quarterback looks like it will be T Q Mims . I do not know

what T.Q. stands for. He has an older brother on the team and his name is

T.Q Harris .Mims will be a sophomore next year.

We think he will be a good one.

Douglas "Red" Cupples

2007 _________________???

Mrs. Braswell Named Top Young Teacher

Barbara Kennon Braswell

As a permanent reminder of her triumph, Mrs. Braswell received a large trophy. She was selected on the basis of a five-minute interview with a trio of educators from LSU and Southeastern Louisiana College and a voluminous entry submitted by the local chapter after her selection as Minden's top young teacher.

She was accompanied to Slidell by her husband and Mr. and Mrs. Dan Stewart III, who represented the local Jaycee chapter. While at Slidell, the delegation was given a tour of the Michoud Saturn Rocket Plant.

State Education Superintendent-Elect Bill Dodd was featured speaker at the banquet, which capped the two-day event.

In an interview with the Press here last night, Mrs. Braswell said her selection was a great honor, and "I'm thrilled that it was given to me." Mrs. Braswell, a teacher at Minden High School since 1956, was selected for her civic work, her successful years of coaching the Tidette swimming team and many other activities in and out of school circles.

She is sponsor of the pep squad, cheerleaders, Louisi-Annes and Girls Athletic Association. She also is active in the parent-teacher organization, summer recreation program, the Young Women's Service Club, and the First Methodist Church.

Submitted by Ann Mays Harlan

Ione Davis Braswell and Three Star General Arnold Braswell. Both are MHS graduates. Do you remember when Mrs. Braswell taught P.E. at Minden? She was also valedictorian of her graduating class.

Mr. & Mrs. Sam & (Margaret) Harper

Sam Harper also graduated from MHS and returned to Minden where is a popular coach today.

From the 1959 Grig

Compliments of Jerry Frasier - From the 1955 Tide Talk

Coach Charlie Johnson- From the 1959 Grig

1973 Grig

From the 1959 Grig

Coach Charlie Johnson- From the 1959 Grig

1973 Grig

The State Championship Football Trophy

See First Special Edition Grig under Memories

Back Row: Jerry Frasier, Richard Yates, Graydon Kitchens, Douglas Skinner, Lee Roy Taylor, Charles Harper, Sammy Maxey, Bobby Wise, Bobby Howell

Front Row: David Nadrchal, Lemuel Grigsby, Bobby Warren, Doyle Walker, Richard Grigsby, James McCabe, Bill Slay, Mickey Love, James Rhea Love

Standing, L to R: Ginger Rushing, Ann Mays, Linda Atkins, Jeanette Woodard, Lyda Roberts, Judy Spitzfaden, Jeannie Lindsey, Shirley Boyer, Judy Nadrchal, Ellen, Baker, Camille Ivy, Dorothy Weaver. Kneelig: Mary Jo Skinner

COACH JOYCE EILEEN HILLARD'S WEDDING

This is the photo just after Joyce Hillard married Robert Patten. Pictured admiring her wedding ring are clockwise from left: Ellen Baker, Camille Ivy (Jeanette Woodard's head shows behind Camille Ivy.), Mary Jo Skinner, Ann Mays, Jeannine Mobley, Joyce Hillard Patten, Lyda Roberts, Ginger Rushing.

1956 Grig

Minden Press-Herald, Monday, April 6, 1964

1956 Grig

Minden Press-Herald, Monday, April 6, 1964

1957 Grig

Mary Jo Skinner with all her swimming trophies

Water Show

Mary Jo Skinner-From the 1959 Grig

Miss Joyce Hillard is in the background wearing a dress. She was the announcer.

Minden Home of Champions

     Mr. Wayne Williams wanted the students of Minden High School to be proud of their school. He offered a challenge to each student to strive to be the best with honesty, loyalty, and justice both in and out of the classroom.
     He also believed that a strong athletic program was the second key to
the success of Minden High School. He hired super coaches. The first of
these was George Doherty who would lead the Tide to two state champion-
ships in three years. That's when an article by Bill McIntyre, sports editor for
the Times referred to Minden as "Home of Champions." The later stuck.
      Minden won state championship in baseball also. In 1955, Mr. Cleve
Strong was hired as basketball coach and another state championship would follow. The great Jackie Moreland and his brothers played for Coach
Strong at M.H.S.
     Another good example of a great coach was Dr. Joyce Hillard. Her
students loved and respected her even thought she could not swim
herself. Mr. Williams knew she had what it took to motivate her students.
She did, and her girls went on and won the state title for eight years in a row.

BASKETBALL COACH

Coach Cleve Strong

Minden Press-Herald, Sunday, January 3, 1988 - by Jeff Clemons, Sports Editor

Strong named to Hall of Fame

Former Minden High School basketball coach and principal Cleve Strong and six

others will be inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Louisiana High School Athletic

Association when the group meets January 28 in Baton Rouge.

In ten seasons as Crimson Tide basketball coach (1953-63) his teams won 312

games, while losing only 97 for a winning percentage of .763.

Strong had two state championship teams (1955 and 1959). His 1954 squad was

state runner-up and the 1956 team reached the state semi-finals.

Nine of his ten teams made the state playoffs. The lone exception was in 1957,

when an epidemic of mumps, plagued his team. Strong-coached teams won eight

district championships and finished as district runner-up once.

Strong was coach in the LHSAA All-Star game in 1955 and 1959. He was the first

basketball coach ever named to the Louisiana High School Coaches Association

executive committee. Until he was chosen, all previous selections were football

coaches.

It was while Strong was on the Minden coaching staff, that the school became

known as the "Home of Champions." MHS won state football championships

in 1954 and 1956, state basketball crowns in 1955 and 1959, and a state baseball

title in 1956.

Strong was a 1942 graduate of Doyline High School. He received a B.S. degree

from Centenary College, then received his master's degree from Peabody College.

He received his Plus 50 from Louisiana Tech.

After a one year teaching stint in Ringgold, Strong came to Minden to take over

the basketball coaching duties in 1953.

From his coaching days at MHS, he served as principal at Sibley High School for

four years, then held one year terms as principal at Shongaloo and Cotton Valley.

He then returned to Minden High School as principal for 15 years from 1969-84.

Submitted by Ann Mays Harlan

1954-1955 BASKETBALL CHAMPIONS

Back Row: Coach Cleve Strong, Jerry Frasier, Clifton Salmon, Jack Mooreland, Clifford Taylor, Joe Moreland Front Row: Gay Hardy, Cecil Maxey, Jerry Harkness, James McCabe, Sammy Maxey.

MINDEN CRIMSON TIDE CHAMPIONS

AA CHAMPIONS

1954-1955 GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM

Mildred Aarons, Nellie Volentine, Linda Davidson, Wanda Miller, Mary Frances Gardner, Helen Volentine, Doris Underwood, Betty Jean Tuggle, Annetta Baker, Ellen Baker, Hathia Searles, Wanda Roden, Irma Osbourne, Mary Jo Skinner, Patsy Ward, Charlotte Turnage, Pat Smith, Hildred Aarons

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TRACK

Front Row: Left to Right

Larry Penix, Steve Deloney, Rolle Walker, Tommy Carey, David Langley, Ken Cooper

2nd Row: left to right

Ronnie Pope, Dolan Cooper, Bobby Hammett, Jerome Vascocu, Jimmy Turner, Mike McKinney, Jimmy Roberts, Wayne Deloney, Benny Hubbard

3rd Row: left to right

Ronnie Chandler, Larry Brewer, Bruce Crisler, Jim Ryun, Judd Travis, Ron Holloway, Jimmy Upton

     Stan Belton and Mike O Rear

This is an email from Mike O'Rear to me. I had sent him a question about the MHS mile relay team of 1964. Jerome Vascocu, team of 1966, had asked me if I knew what was the time that this 1964 group had run.

History: Normally we never saw Ted Moore on the mile relay. And, sometimes Fred was running other events. Back then an athlete was restricted to 4 total events including relays.

One nice night in April, 1964, Coach Jordan assembled a group of T.A. Moore, Fred Haynes, Carr McClendon, and Mike O'Rear to try and break the school record. It was not run in a meet. All of the 4 did excellent jobs and I am guessing that the 3:15.7 is still the school record.

I decided to go directly to the source. Fred and T.A. are no longer with us physically and Carr is in California. Coach Jordan was not sure.

Mike O'Rear being the great athlete that he was and later an excellent coach, remembered well. Please pass this along.

1964 and 1965: two great years to be at Minden High School.

God Bless,

Tommy Carey

See 1961 - 63 -Fred Haynes (See the Fred Haynes Biography for more information)

See 1964- Mike Holliday - See Biography of Michael Holliday

At the last reunion of the class of 1965 I did a Power Point presentation on Mike Holliday, a great man and my good friend. I thought that there may be some of your readers who may have an interest in seeing this. Time is moving on.

Mike, Ted, Carr, & Fred. The Time:3:15.7. Coach Jordan told me after his mother died that we ran consistently around 3:20 and below. The runner who would replace Ted was Terry Sanders(?). M.H.S. best time in 1964 was 3:15.7
Mike O'Rear

This is an email from Mike O'Rear to me. I had sent him a question about the MHS mile relay team of 1964. Jerome Vascocu, team of 1966, had asked me if I knew what was the time that this 1964 group had run.

History: Normally we never saw Ted Moore on the mile relay. And, sometimes Fred was running other events. Back then an athlete was restricted to 4 total events including relays.

One nice night in April, 1964, Coach Jordan assembled a group of T.A. Moore, Fred Haynes, Carr McClendon, and Mike O'Rear to try and break the school record. It was not run in a meet. All of the 4 did excellent jobs and I am guessing that the 3:15.7 is still the school record.

I decided to go directly to the source. Fred and T.A. are no longer with us physically and Carr is in California. Coach Jordan was not sure.

Mike O'Rear being the great athlete that he was and later an excellent coach, remembered well. Please pass this along.

1964 and 1965: two great years to be at Minden High School.

                                         THE HISTORY OF TRACK AT MHS

In 1951...Coach George Coherty was not only a football coach and a teacher ...he was an engineer. He wanted his players to be fast. He went to the fairgrounds, drew lines for a track field so the boys could practice. The boys went to Ruston at La. Tech in the spring and won district championship.
TRI STATE
Hugh Cranford was the star and won 1st place with his 100 yard dash; 2nd place with his 440 yard spring '2nd place with his Javelin throw
Charlie Henigan was second in the 440 and 2nd in the 1/2 mile run
The Mile Relay team came in 4th.
DISTRICT MEET
Mile Relay - Charlie Hennigan, Hgh Cranford, Charlie Adams and Tommy Batten took first place
Charlie Hennigan took top spot in the 1/2 mile - First Place
Hugh Cranford was top man in the 1/4 mile
Outstanding honors went to...Charlie Hennigan 1/2 mile = first place
                                                    Hugh Cranford 1/4 mile - second place
                                                    Mile Relay - second place ( Charlie Hennigan, Charlie Adams,. Tommy Batten and Hugh Cranford)
The entire team placed 6th place in the state - Those on the team were Fred Berry, LeRoss Quinn, Charles Drake, Tommy Lewis, Kenneth Beck, Charlie   Hennigan, James Bishop, Derald Kirkland, Gerald Kirkland, W. C. Floyd, Charlie Adams, Roy Baggett, Charlie Miller and Hugh Cranford.
         SPRING 1951 - Hugh Cranford 1st. place with his 100 yard dash; 2nd 400 yard spring sn3 2nd with his Javelin throw;
         440 Relay Team took 3rd place
         880 yard Relay Team took 3rd place
         Mile Relay - 2nd spot
         Charles Drake was 3rd in the pole vault
         Tommy Batten was second in the mile run
         W. C. Floyd was 3rd in the 220 yard spring
The pictures would probably be in the 1952 Grig and would be greatly appreciated.

1953 District Championship Team -
Charlie Adams. (Roy Baggett who ran mile and half & later broke Charlie Hennigans 880 ), Tommy Batten, Hugh Cranford - the Javelan and ran the 100 & 220 yard dash-he was the star) ; Charles Drake - the Pole Vault Man; ), W. C. Floyd, (Charlie Hennigan was awarded a track scholarship to LSU after he graduated from MHS), Bobby Hudson-the field man, Derald Kirkland, Gerald Kirkland, and Charlie Miller.
The Mile Relay Team (4 Laps) Gay Hardy, Danny Cheney, Jerry Harkness and Drew Simmons
Honors also went to these Athletes for first place
Charles "Bo" Drake - Pole Vaulter
After they won the district championship they drank applie cider to celebrate. The pictures came out in the grig a year later.
Photo's from the Grig would be appreciated.
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In 1954 W. W. WIlliams and Coach George Doherty went below the terrace and reroute the creek bed to build the Red Cinder track field.
Corrections, pictures, memories and additions appreciated. Send to mindenmemories@AOL.COM
                                                        1955 Track Team

1954 - 20 boys participated - 8 boys won first place (Not pictured - Pole Vaulter Bo Drake)
Second and third place Doug Burt, Paul Robinson and Roy Baggett ran mile. To qualify for these honors...these boys had to win first or second place in the district meet. Also capturing district honors were...

Pole Va

20 Boys participated - 8 boys won first place.

The Mile Relay Team (4 Laps) Gay Hardy, Danny Cheney, Jerry Harkness and Drew Simmons
Honors also went to these Athletes for first place
Charles "Bo" Drake - Pole Vaulter
Wonder if Roy Baggett still holds the record for the 880 dash?
In 1954 W. W. WIlliams and Coach George Doherty went below the terrace and reroute the creek bed to build the Red Cinder track field. That year MHS won district and drank apple cider to celebrate. The pictures came out in the Grig a year later.
Corrections, pictures, memories and additions appreciated. Send to mindenmemories@AOL.COM

1954-1955 CHAMPIONSHIP TRACK TEAM

Back Row: Bobby Hudson, Roy Baggett, Kenneth Beck, Pat Watson, Tommy Searles

Second Row: Gay Hardy, Rogers Reeves, Denny Cheny, Drew Simmons, Charles Drake, Larry Miles, Benny White Front Row: James Almond, Billy Don Adams, Richard Long, Bill Gardner, Douglas Burt, Johnny Lee, Jerry Harkness

                                                               1956 - MHS CROSS COUNTRY RACE

                                                                            COMPLIMENTS OF CLEVE TAYLOR

1956 MHS Cross Country Race

Huey Morgan, Cleve Taylor and Roger Hanson

Now the Story which concerns that race and Coach Pat Nation.

In PE class with Coach Nation, I discovered that most of my fellow PE classmates routinely were given A's at the 6 weeks marking period. However, regardless of how well I did in PE, I got B's. I asked Coach Nation why I only got B's, and listed the reasons why I should get an A. He said I only deserved B's because of my poor attitude --poor attitude being explained as my unwillingness to participate in varsity sports. (Both of my older brothers, Lee Roy and Clifford, were good athletes, and the coaches assumed, incorrectly, that I could follow in their footsteps). I explained to him that my after school job didn't allow time for practices every day after school, and suggested that I shouldn't be penalized for that. Then I asked what, other than going out for basketball, I would have to do to get an A.

In response, he told me that if I entered the upcoming MHS Cross Country Marathon and placed in the top 3, he'd give me an A. So I did. However I did better than I intended. I really wanted to come in 3rd. During the race I kept an eye on where everyone was, but as we were nearing the finish line I thought I saw 3 people in front of me, so I ran hard enough to barely edge in front of Roger. I was surprised to find out I had come in 2nd instead of my intended 3rd place. It's just as well that I didn't want 1st place. Huey was a speedy guy and he owned that spot.

True to his word, at the next grading period Coach Nation gave me an A in PE. But true to his opinion of my attitude, he dropped my grade back to B's in subsequent grading periods.

I still have my little trophy on which Coach Nation etched "Marathon, MHS 2nd '56, C. Taylor". Were it not for Pat Nation, I wouldn't have any sports trophies.....but I'd probably have had A's in PE.

Cleve Taylor

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1947 Football team that finished in 1948 - Can someone send us a memory of this great squad?

Compliments of Rowland Ivy

Sherry, Pete Beck and I both are in the 1947 football team photo. I looked again at the photo and tried to recall who I knew were still living and where they live. Here's a summary:

Buddy Toadvin - Homer, La.

Gladden Emerson -I don't know where he lives, but his younger brother is a retired pastor here in Arab, Al.

Willard McClung - I am sure he is in Minden. He was the temporary Fire Chief while Bloxom was healing. He never married.

Loye Jones - Minden. He owns a Pharmacy on Homer Rd. He married Peggy Wise.

Don Ward -Last I knew, he lived in Hendersonville, NC

Luther Moore - He's an attorney In Minden, La. He married Claire Drake.

Lamar Pace graduated from the University of ETBC and is a resident of Minden, Louisiana

Norman Cone - I believe he is a resident of Minden, Louisiana

Herbert Ashcroft, Donald Nation and Will Garriss are deceased

Connie Irby graduated from the University of ETBC and is a retired coach living in the state of Texas. He married Peggy Hester from Hawkins, Texas.

Wayne Reeves is a Baptist Preacher. He married Ann Beam.

Tommy Baggett and Billy Ray Harper live in the state of North Carolina. His first wife died and he has recently remarried. Billy Ray married Carolyn Boyer.

Jack Miles was living in the state of Texas when his wife, Dana David, died.

James Beck We think he lives somewhere in East Texas.

Of course, you know some others that are living, and where, that I don't. I have often wondered about Jimmy Leftwich. I thought he became a physician and lived in California, but I know not where I got that rumor. He was our Junior Class President and chosen as "Best All-Around Junior "47." A lot of the guys on this team played three years. We won one game in 1945, the first team after WW2, won two games in 1946, and won three games in 1947. Just think, if we had all stayed in school ten years, we would have won ten games.

Maurice Whitlow the writer of this sketch lives in Arab, Alabama. He graduated from high school in 1948.

Principal Cathcart, Coach Pat Nation, Coach Joe Oliphant, and Coach Kirtley Miles are all deceased.

Coach Jo Oliphant Coach George Doherty

Coach Pat Nation Coach Kirtley Miles

                                                                 A Few Words From Mrs. George Doherty

Have you ever been stuck at the top of a ferris wheel? If so, you know some of the feeling I experience as the wife of a football coach.
I have held this position for the last ten years, and I’m stuck with it.
If the boys think that the coach has many things to say to them, they should hear what he has to say about them on into the night.
Being a coach’s wife leads you to form opinions at the games as: the officials deliberately took the game away from us, the other team outweighed our boys thirty pounds per boy; the other coach cheated and our team got all the bad breaks. It also leads you to do such unlady-like things as scream until you are hoarse from yelling so loudly; jump up and down until you are exhausted, and tell everyone off around you that makes critical remarks about the Crimson Tide.
I am so experienced in such matters, that I can tell from my post in the car when the coach comes from the gym door just how practice went. Many times I feel like driving off and leaving him there until he has cooled off.
Personally, it would delight me if my son played football; but my daughter, never marry a football coach, NEVER!
With all my trials and tribulations, I would not trade places with the Queen of England when we play and beat Springhill on Thanksgivng.

                                                                                                  1953 MINDEN HIGH SCHOOL SPORT LETTER JACKETS

First Row left to right: Lee Ross Quinn, Bobby Parker, Bobby Warren, Jamie Almond, Barbara Byars, Jonathan Aarons, Charles Liles, Doyle Rhames, Charles Lewis
Second Row: Leon Cupples, Darrel Kirkland, Richard Hackett, Charles Adams, Emmet Krause, Bobby Wise, Douglas Burt, James McCabe, Bill Martin, Charles Harper

Third Row: Herman Ratcliff, Gerald Kirkland, Tommy Baten, Tommy Ashcroft, Lynwood Smelser Billy Kidd, Graydon Kitchens, Jerry Frazier, Jackie Wright, John Adcock

Forth Row: Lee Roy Taylor , Hugh Cranford, Charles Hennigan, Don Lindsey ,James Bishop, Everett Doerge, Charles Miller, Almond Adcock, Gary Smith, Alma Ray Langley.
There is one significant letterman missing. Kenneth Beck. Compliments of Bill Martin
will attempt to help fill in the blanks on the identifications you already have:

Identified by Bill Martin and Charles Liles

The girl in the first row standing next to Bobby Warren does not look like Judianne Braswell. Could this be Jamie Almond? Perhaps the original identification is correct

Front row; Jimmy Marcus, Walter Leigh, Roger Reeves, Bill Martin, Douglas Skinner, Lynwood Smelser, Jerry Frasier, Jonathan Aarons, Douglas Burt, Danny Crawford, Bill Gardner.
Second row; Leon Cupples, Billy Kalpakis, Jackie Wright, Roger Miller, Kenneth Beck, Billy Kidd, Everett Doerge, Lee Roy Taylor, Pat Watson, Charles Harper, James McCabe

Back row; Doyle Walker, Richard Long, Billy Don Adams, John Adcock, Roy Baggett, Cliff Taylor, Bobby Hudson, Charles Drake, Don Bradley, Benny White, Ronald Bryan
                                                                                                           1953 Football team submitted by Bill Martin

Back row, L to R: Jimmy Fitzgerald, Bill Slay, Billy Don Adams, Roy Baggett, Richard Yates, Tommy Searles, Clifford Taylor, Bobby Hudson, Pat Watson, Douglas Skinner, Robert Miller, Danny Cheney, Johnny Lee.

Middle row, L to R: Paul Robinson, Drew Simmons, Benton Irby, Jerry Frasier, James McCabe, Edwin Leachman, Huey Clement, Rogers Reeves, Ronny Pearson, Phillip Ford, Douglas Burt, Max Pevy, James Liner, Don Jenkins.

Front row, L to R: Kenneth McMichael, Bill Terrill, Jimmy Campbell, Jerry Grigsby, Jimmy Marcus, Jerry Wayne Day, Doyle Walker, Meredith Nicholson, Jimmy Johnson, David Nadrchal, Ronald Bryan, Larry Miles

MINDEN CRIMSON TIDE

STATE CHAMPIONS 1954

MINDEN CRIMSON TIDE

Compliments of Jerry Frasier From the 1957 Minden Press-Herald

Minden also had several championship teams in the sixties under Coach Kelley

Coach Sam Harper - Coach Elton Kelly - Coach Pat Nation - Coach Oliphant

Submitted by John Quade - Quade Studio - Minden, Louisiana

Compliments of Jerry Frasier - From the 1955 Tide Talk

In 1956 these many of these players were on the team that won the AA championship for Minden

Junior Football team for Fall 1953 - Found in the 1954 Grig

Back row. l-r : # 28, Wayne Parker, # 21, Billy Joe Booth, # 21, Jimmy Johnson,( wonder why Jimmy and Billy Joe have the same number?) # 13, Roy Baggett, # 45, Bill Gardner, # 65, Ken McMichael,

# 36, Max Rudd, # 53, Tommy Culpepper, and #46, Ed Leachman.

Kneeling, L to R: #69, Jerry Huckaby, #52, Pete Wiuff, #29, David Evans, #24, Bobby Webb, #44, Joe Luck, #11, Billy Jack Talton, #78, Lorenz Funderburk, #25 Merrill Wayne Hair

Submitted by LeVerne Langheld kidd - Identified by Ann Mays Harlan

1953-1954 FOOTBALL AA CHAMPS

Front row: Jimmy Marcus, Walter Leigh, Rogers Reeves, Bill Martin, Douglas Skinner, Lynwood Smelser, Jerry Frasier, Jonathan Aarons, Douglas Burt, Danny Cranford, Bill Gardner.

Second row: Leon Cupples, Billy Kalpakis, Jackie Wright, Robert Miller, Kenneth Beck, Billy Kidd, Everett Doerge, Lee Roy Taylor, Pat Watson, Charles Harper, James McCabe,

Back row: Doyle Walker, Richard Long, Billy Don Adams, John Adcock, Roy Baggett, Cliff Taylor, Bobby Hudson, Charles Drake, Donald Bradley, Benny White, Ronald Bryan

The 1954 Pep Squad - Our senior Year

I'm Still On The Back Row!

The 1952-Pep Squad - Our Fresham Year

MINDEN TIDETTE'S - 1953

Front Row - Sandra Gray, Pat Wilson, Rebecca Campbell, Rebecca Hearron, Cora Lou Brown, Sue Hearron, Miss Hillard, Sponsor.
Second Row - Carolyn Boyer, Janis Krause, Melba Weaver, Gayle Palmer, Barbara Lewis, Paula Gilbert, Gracie PIttman, Jane Reeves, Harol Turner, Edna Lowe, Margaret Perritt.
Third Row - Patsy Davis, Jo Ann McCorkle, Barbara Nell Preston, Annetta Baker, Carole Whitfield, Jeanne Ellen Ray, Joy Lynn Murphy, Cecelia Underwood, Betty Fritz, PatsyGilbert, Suzanne Roberts.
Fourth Row - Claire Drake, Carolyn Sale, Jackie Davis, Marilyn Watkins, Keitha Hough, Kathy Walden, Jean Sentell, Mildred Boland, Sarah Ruth Campbell, Betty Jean Davis, Barbara Johnson.
Fifth Row - Betty Lou Norwood, Mary Winford, Judy Gleason, Jo Lynn Mouser, Sue Stanfield, Carolyn Culpepper, Jo Ann Baggett, Beverly Tash, Sally Ann Powell, Lucy Moore, Mary Stamps.
Back Row- Dorothy Pevy, Jo Ann White, Norita White, Patsy Heflin, Sandra McConnell, Peggy Almond, Jo Ann Matthews, Dana Davis, Nellie Sapp, Sherry Gresham.

Robert Grambling, Band Director

Front row: James Lynn Ford, Jackie Batton, Marlene Fields, Edward Brown, Peggy Cheshire, Kay Cunningham, Billie Jean Prescott, Joe Inabnett. Second row: Carla Faye Green, Sandra Pullig, Barbara Bryan, Mary Etta Wainwright, Earlene Mendenhall, Betty Sue Lewis, Robbie Crumpton, Marsha Boyd, Mary Ellen Bailey, Margaret Jones, Bill Terrill, Rob Martin, Becky Jones. Third row: Max Rudd, Wiley Cameron, Janie Sue Krouse, David Robinson, Barbara Russell, Joy Faye Garriss, Ronald Miller, Dixie Dugan, Dianne Jeffries, Ray Davis, Bobby Liles, Myra Lyons, Larry Dean, Dean Byars, Loretta Allen, Jimmy Fitzgerald, Bobby Hays, Mickey Love. Fourth row: Ann Machen, Judy Smith, Sandra Richardson, Linda Monzingo, Patricia Farrow, Bobbie Langheld, Everett Doerge, Gary Major, Rogers Auld, Charlie Berry, William Sale, George Winford, Jim Johnson, Jim Winford, Joan Andress, Billy Baldwin, James Rhea Love, Dan Wigley. Standing: Dolores Webb, Linda Lee Mims, Clark Anderson, F. M. Liles, Robert F. Grambling, director; Billie Jo Smith, Bobby Warren, Neil Baker, David Mouser, David Nadrchal

Young Champions with Coach Oliphant - Can anyone identify this photograph?

This building became Minden Junior High School until it was torn down to build the 1954-55 building.

Grades 1-11 attended school here until 1926.

The first class graduated from this school in 1955 and I was proud to be part of that class. Mr.W.W. Williams was our principal. He went on to become the parish superintendent of schools. It was during his period this M.H.S. gained national recognition for both academic excellence and athletic prowess Student test scores were in the highest percentages of any school in the county. The athletic teams earned us the nickname "HOME OF CHAMPIONS.

Submitted by LeVerne Langheld Kidd

And the last picture...Can someone identify this Championship Team with Coach Joe Oliphant?