The
following is the dedication speech from Friday, November 8, 2002. The Coach
Butcher Memorial was dedicated at half-time of the Las Vegas Wildcat –
Silverado Skyhawk 2002 Playoff game.
Ladies
and Gentleman, at this time, we would like to direct your attention to the
concession area of the stadium for a special presentation.
Tonight
marks a special date in Las Vegas High School history as we pay tribute to an
individual who is the founding father of Wildcat Football.
Francis
Herbert Butcher graduated from Howard Payne College, Brownwood Texas in 1927 and
immediately accepted a teaching position at our high school, at the time located
on 4th street. The former college football star’s added responsibilities were
to inaugurate athletics into the high school program.
“Butch”
as he was called, had no problem finding recruits for football in 1927. On the
13th of September, thirteen eager young men donned the practice gear for the
first time, marking the birth of Las Vegas High School Wildcat Football.
September 20th marked the arrival of the uniforms. On the evening of October
21st, the entire town of Las Vegas converged upon the school at 7 PM for a rally
and bon fire.
At
2 pm on October 22, 1927, the entire town cheered as the Wildcats stormed on to
the field for the first time. The ‘Cats lost a hard fought 14-13 battle to
Victorville that day. Those who witnessed the beginning of the football program
had no idea that the Wildcats would continue to positively influence the school,
students, and community, in a championship manner, well into the next century.
In
two short years, Coach Butcher had established a winning program that would be
followed by two State Championship teams. In fact, Reno High School backed out
of the 1930 State Championship Game for fear of being beaten by a “Southern
Team.” Additionally, “Butch” was the head coach for the basketball and
State Champion track teams. He also personally designed the gymnasium for the
new campus, to be located on 7th street.
Tragically,
the 26 year old teacher and coach, beloved by every man, woman, and child in
this city, lost his life from injuries sustained in a house fire, on December
13, 1930. Six days later, the entire town was present at his funeral services in
the high school gymnasium as it was time to say goodbye to Coach Butcher. A
memorial plaque was placed on the wall of the high school and he was laid to
rest beside the grave of his mother, in Fort Worth Texas, on December 22, 1930.
Time
moves on and memories unfortunately fade. In April of 2002, Clark County School
District Administrator Owen Kelsall came across information in the 1930 yearbook
mentioning the passing of coach Butcher. Research started immediately and within
a month, Mr. Kelsall was able to locate the memorial plaque at the old high
school and bring it home tonight, where it belongs, here at the present day Las
Vegas High School.
The
Las Vegas High School Football Program and Booster Club would like to thank the
following people for their contributions to this project:
Owen
Kelsall
– Owen started this project, did all the research, and uncovered the
dedication plaque at the old LVHS campus; without him this project would not
have been done. His tireless work
has been an inspiration to many.
Dina
Grossardt
– the president of the LVHS Football Booster Club has done an exceptional job
of seeing this project to its conclusion.
Myron
E. Leavitt
– Mr. Leavitt gathered the dignitaries here tonight, and has been a loyal
supporter of LVHS for many years.
Dennis
& Craig Whiting
– Whiting Brothers – thanks to these gentlemen for the donation of the rock,
the mounting of the plaque, and their many hours of service towards this
project.
Ray
Nelson
– MS Concrete – for the platform that the display is set on.
Kerry
Gifford
– for the electrical work to illuminate the rock and plaque.
LVHS
Custodians David “Paco” Moreno and Onelio “Onee” Mirabal – for the refurbishing of
the dedication plaque.
Nevada
Dignitaries that Attended the Dedication of the Coach Butcher Memorial at LVHS
Mr.
Richard Bryan
– former United States Senator and Governor of Nevada.
Mr.
John Mendoza
– former District Attorney and District Judge, captain of the famous 1944
Wildcat Football Team that was undefeated, untied, and never scored upon all
season.
Mr.
Mahlon Brown –
former United States Attorney whose father spearheaded the fundraiser for the
plaque honoring Coach Butcher.
Mr.
Myron E. Leavitt
– Justice of Nevada Supreme Court, former Lieutenant Governor and District
Court Judge, former Wildcat Football running back.