The lights go out but the memories live on as Italy’s athletic banquet concludes

Barry Byers Posted Additional Images
Image: Senior student-athletes Morgan Cockerham, Zack Boykin, Reid Jacinto, Alyssa Richards, Caden Jacinto, Katie Byers and Cole Hopkins finish their meals and then settle in for the award presentations during the 2013 Italy High School Athletic Banquet.

Senior student-athletes Morgan Cockerham, Zack Boykin, Reid Jacinto, Alyssa Richards, Caden Jacinto, Katie Byers and Cole Hopkins finish their meals and then settle in for the award presentations during the 2013 Italy High School Athletic Banquet. (Barry Byers)

Italy Coliseum — The final buzzer has sounded, the last sets were played, the final race has been ran and the last inning is in the books as time has officially expired on the 2012-2013 Italy Athletic Program with the end of the year awards banquet coming to a close. All that was left to do was Athletic Director/HFC Hank Hollywood and Coach Larry Mayberry, Sr., to turn out the lights on the Coliseum where the faint echoes of chanting fans, and a few donkey neighs, can be heard as the memories of Gladiator and Lady Gladiator legends will continue to compete forever.

The sound of football pads crack in the distance and an invisible breeze sprints past. A racket can be heard from the park and a bat can be felt swinging for the fences as the hallowed grounds of the Italy High School campus clears and the final senior vanishes into local lore.

Special thanks to all the parents who helped organize this year’s banquet and to our volunteers and supporters throughout the school year, including:

  • Italy School Board
  • Mr. Barry Bassett
  • Mr. Lee Joffre
  • Natasha Blackburn
  • Danette Dearing
  • Angela Muirhead
  • Kim Varner
  • Lisa Jacinto
  • Italy High school Teachers
  • Italy Elementary Teachers
  • Italy High School Coaches
  • Italy High School Coaches’ Wives/Husbands
  • Barry Byers – Italy Neotribune
  • Kelly Lewis – Italy Neotribune
  • Albert Garcia – Booster Club President
  • Flossie Gowin – Booster Club
  • Robbie Jones – Booster CLub
  • Gary Wood – Tunnel Crew
  • Lee Hamilton – Airhorn
  • DeeDee Hamilton – Nusing Injuries
  • Ronnie Dabney, Paul Cockerham – Announcers
  • Mrs. Bell and Misty Escamilla – Gate
  • Greg Richards and Rita Garza – Clock
  • Andy Windham, Misty Escamilla & Jessica Ward – Books
  • McGraw Clark Photography
  • Baseball Parents – Meal Bags
  • Softball Parents – Meal Bags
  • Mr. Blake Godwin – Renovations
  • Concession Stand Volunteers For Each Sport
  • Ervin Green, Keith Roberts, and Patrick Anderson – Chain Crew
  • Terry Eaton and Officers with DPS -Security
  • Chief Hill and Officers with Italy Police – Security
  • City of Italy – Signs, Updates and Support
  • Italy Fire Department – Parking
  • Don Chambers – Field House Renovations
  • Cate Family – Field House Renovations
  • Speed Hamby – Bleachers
  • Michael Chambers – Maintenance and Renovations
  • Bobby McBride – Maintenance and Renovations
  • Lynn Lambert – Maintenance and Renovations
  • Larry Mayberry, Sr., Patrick Anderson, and Joe Tovar – Custodial
  • Mrs. Theresa Young and Mrs. Brenda Davis (CBI Teachers) – Meal Bags
  • Morgan Martinez, Blake Vega, Nathan Bowles and Katie Connor (CBI Class) – Meal Bags
  • Mrs. Susan Jacinto – High School Cheerleaders
  • Ms. Kim Watkins – Junior High School Cheerleaders
  • Jesus Perez and Erica Miller – Band
  • Mark Jacinto, and Vincent Jacinto – Fundraising and Cooking
  • Larry and Sandy Eubank – Cooking/Spirit Banners
  • Dr. Moore, Dr. Hart and Dr. John Arkusinski
  • Randy Stripes – Alert Services
  • FFA Kids – Flags at the Football Games and Renovations
  • Gladiator Nation! – Making Some Noise

“Special thanks for supporters and contributors to the Italy Athletic Program.” — Hank Hollywood