What a night! While enjoying the current Varsity girls and boys basketball players play against Waxahachie Advantage, former Italy alumni players, managers, coaches and teachers entered the the Italy Coliseum, some for the 1st time. We all were wide-eyed as one legend after another made their way into the domenasium.

Many Alumni Gladiators were on hand for the presentation. Current Dallas Cowboy and member of the 1997 Italy Gladiator State Championship team Keith Davis stopped by. Both Jimmy “Bym” Shelby and Bobby “Pop” Shelby were in attendence. Dennis Ransom, who also played in the NFL for the Washington Redskins, made it to the big event. Jeff Frazier, a center for the Gladiator football team at one time, brought his family. Former college basketball star LaDeidra Shaw, grid-iron legends Clint “Crazy Legs” Riddle and long snapper Darrin Reeves were on hand as well. The man himself Bobby Itson, Gary Helms and Latricia Shaw could also be seen mingling, just to name a few.

After the Varsity girls grounded the Waxahachie Advantage Eagles 58-16, a halftime presentation was giving to honor past Gladiator basketball legends. Former Italy Gladiator basketball player and current Head Basketball Coach Kyle Holley introduced past alumni players, managers and coaches of the the 1982-1986 Regional Qualifying Basketball Teams. The honorees were recognized with personalized plaques and warm applause.

In addition, former Head Cheerleader Andi Windham did the honors and unvailed the banner that will forever recognize the accomplishments of the 1982-1986 Regional Qualifying Basketball Teams and now hangs high inside the Italy Coliseum.

A moment of silence honored fallen Gladiators that are gone but not forgotten:
Benny Don Johnson ’84
Kenneth Clemons ’85
Stevie Copeland ’86
Willie Reed ’86

Honored players and managers were:
Anderson, Patrick
Burch, Rob
Calhoun, Cary
Cate, Jackie
Cofer, Sam
Copeland, Kevin
Davidson, Harris
Davis, Charles
Hogan, Todd
Hyles, Charles
Jacinto, Jeff
Jacinto, Vincent
Lambert, Lynn
Loveless, Mike
Morrison, Tracy
Price, Donald
Ransom, Dennis
Reese, Danny
Reese, Reggie
Reeves, Darin
Ridlehuber, James
Shaw, Vernon
Shelby, Bobby
Shelby, Jacky
Shelby, Jimmy
Smithey, Richard
Wallace, Tony

Honored coaches:
Hogan, Mike
Gage, Brady

Also, Bryant Cockran accepted the plaque on behalf of his brother Travis Cockran who is currently serving overseas.

Shatoria Lambert accepted on behalf of fallen Gladiator Stevie Copeland.

Once the current Varsity boys squad had defeated the Eagles from Waxahachie Advantage 78-35, some final hugs good bye were given and the remaining honorees were treated to snacks and sandwiches at the Italy High School Cafeteria. Alumni Coaches and special guests Willie Roten, Chris Storer, Gene Burton, James Eagle and Mike Hogan joined everyone at the post game party to take a walk down memory lane.

I asked Chris Storer what was the one memory from the old days he’ll never forget? Surprisingly, it wasn’t sports related at all. No, it was the day Gayla Holley (now Gayla Tekell and Coach Kyle Holley’s older sister) drove a go-cart from the gym and down the hallway to the principal’s office. This particular hijinx occurred while Storer had a guest speaker in his science class, a snake handler no less, who was trying to keep a handle on a startled snake at the time. Storer added, “You don’t tend to forget days like that.”

Willie Roten mentioned that he’s enjoying his new, less demanding role, as an assistant coach and still teaches in Gunner, Texas. Roten also mentioned that he still jogs everyday logging about 25 miles a week.

Throwback Night was a fun and exciting evening. I personally enjoyed seeing many of my former teammates, school mates and teachers. I especially enjoyed visiting with those legendary players that I once idolized as a youngster and had hoped so desperately to be just like them someday…an Italy Gladiator Varsity letterman.

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