Q and A with 80-year-old Bulldog Stadium

Q: What do you remember about that first season?

A: Well, sonny boy, I’m 80-yearsold, so my memory isn’t what it used to be But I was just taking a nap one day when all of a sudden this man with the biggest feet I’d ever seen came tromping around and cutting the weeds. I was just full of Johnson grass at that time. This feller’s name was Barnes Milam and he had played for the Philadelphia Eagles and I’m telling you his foot was a size 16 or some such It hurt when he walked around Anyway, this feller became Howe’s first head coach back in that first year of 1935

Q: How do you feel about the recent upgrades that you’ve received?

A: I think it’s great There for a while I was smelling like one of those cats at the corner of 75 and 82 A nice young man named Hudson helped clean me up But I’m telling you, he’s pretty strict on me He gets mad when I have just one weed. He makes me comb my hair five times a day. I don’t think I’ve had anyone pay me this much attention since I was 50 or so. He’s definitely been great for me. He keeps me looking good and I just call him Mr Sir and try to keep clean

Q: What was the most embarrassing moment for you?

A: Well, you see, those kids of the 80’s used to leave coins all in the endzone in pregame and it must have did something to me It wasn’t long after that I had some vein work done They tore me open and put this great big pipe down the middle of my chest After that, I couldn’t control my stadium bladder and I’d tinkle all over myself at the exact same times every day. It was so embarrassing, but now everyone likes it because the grass stays greener.

Q: Who was the first star player?

A: That first year in 1935 was amazing I’d never seen football before I imagine Howe started playing football because of this kid Billy Bryant Cloud He was amazing He ran so fast, I never even felt him It was 50 years or so before anyone else could do what he did That Geer and Ogle kid came close, but nothing was more special than the first one

Q: What are the best games that you remember?

A: Well, that homecoming game in ’88 when it was raining so hard. I had mud in my eyes and I couldn’t see the Hail Mary, but I heard everyone yelling. Also the next year we hosted a playoff game. They put a bow tie on me and dressed me up real nice I got a clean shave and everything That sure was some night Then that game vs Bells in ’90 That was a true humdinger Yeah boy Last year vs Tom Bean was a recordsetter with all of those yards

Easton had those picks – I remember his dad was quite the player too Lots of memories Lots of memories Yeah boy

Q: How do you remain so active as the oldest stadium anywhere around?

A: Well, I take a lot of nitrogen now-a-days which keeps me healthy. Most stadiums around here have passed on. Sherman’s is almost as old as me. Denison is close too, but they just about made a robot out of that guy Everyone wants a young whipper-snapper with all of these fancy seats and scoreboards People think you need to trick everything up these days with fake grass and spread offenses and adding that darn red to our colors I tell you what I’m for, sonny boy I’m for real grass, running the football and black and white

Q: Have you ever thought of the possibility of turf?

A: Why in tarnation would I do that? I have a full head of hair at age 80? You want me to look like that Trump guy? Or Rand Paul? I’m a real stadium. Yeah boy.

Q: What has it been like to have so many people visit you every Friday night each fall?

A: It’s so much fun to see everyone And it’s so much better now that I look good again There for a while, other teams were embarrassed of me I had just let myself go But I’m back to feeling great and I’ve seen more people lately than ever before You know I had my knee replaced, right? Yeah, they took out the old one and built a new fieldhouse. That did wonders for me. I sure am grateful for those people who put in the track 35 years ago or so. I used to get lonely But now people come see me all year I was sure glad to see the varsity practice here last year in the playoffs I only get five special nights a year and I like to welcome everyone the best I can This year is the all-school reunion so I’ll be cleaned up real good Since I’m 80, I ramble on sometimes so just stop me whenever What’s Norman Dickey doing these days? He used to spend a lot of time here, but I hardly see him now He’s probably hanging out with Buck Rose Is he still fishing? Yeah boy. I used to have a stock tank. Tracy Beaty and... (cut off by question)

Q: How did you feel when they stopped playing football from 1948-1958?

A: Abandoned It was the worst time of my stadium life There used to be this old junk yard just west of where the field houses are now I had to look at that and be reminded that I was a part of that junk yard But then Mr Charles Thompson showed up one day and they started putting light poles up I knew something special was about to happen I didn't figure they'd make me some youth soccer field I just knew I'd be the home of the Bulldogs again and it came true in '58. Yeah boy, this kid named Arterbury was pretty good. I've been here ever since. Later on we got Norman Dickey. Me and him spent a lot of time together. He had the first field house built in '66. I could tell you some stories about Norman Yeah boy

Kenneth Wayne Ferguson from Gunter (Farmington), Texas passed from this life into his heavenly rest on August 12, 2015 in Sherman, TX Kenny was born on March 16, 1948 in Sherman, Texas He attended Howe schools until graduation in 1966. He served our country in the U S Army early after graduation Later, he was employed by Johnson and Johnson in Sherman for over 30 years as a mechanic

Kenny loved spending his time with his family, grandkids mostly. He also enjoyed working outside despite a devastating spinal cord injury 6 years ago Kenny never met a stranger, although he never did have much to say When he spoke, you better listen

Kenny is survived by his wife, Genece, of Gunter, mother, Irene Ferguson of Collinsville, TX, sons

Brian Ferguson and wife, Jamie of Commerce, TX and Michael Ferguson of Gunter, TX He is also survived by his daughter, Brandi Polnac and husband, Michael of Gunter, TX Kenny loved all of his family, but grandkids truly were the lights of his life Braden and Morgan Ferguson of Whitehouse, TX, Kevin Horn and Abby Rhodes of Commerce, TX, Bayli and Ashlyn Wood of Gunter, TX, Tyler Polnac currently serving our country in South Korea and Colby Polnac of Mesquite, TX. Also one great-granddaughter, Kenzi Wood of Gunter, TX., and very special very special niece and nephew Teri, and Terry Calhoun.

He was preceded in death by his father Charlie Ferguson; a sister, Joann Ferguson; a brother Sonny Ferguson

Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 17, 2015 at 10 am at Scoggins Funeral Home in Van Alstyne, TX Visitation will be held at Scoggins Funeral Home Sunday, August 16, 2015 6-8 pm

Pallbearers will be Dean Campbell, Stan Pullum, Bruce Elvington, Braden Ferguson, Michael Polnac

Bulldogs look sharp in scrimmage with Boyd