Every year in the fall, high schools all over the nation gear up for the fight to win a football game on Thursday or Friday night. Bands play. People cheer. Parents watch their children grow and visit with friends in the stands. Someone wins and someone loses. No matter, everyone walks away with memories that last for a lifetime. But let’s talk specifics. I recall only one field:

Tiger Field… La Junta, Colorado. This is a place where decades of energy since 1938 have been expounded, emotion has been rampant, and loyalty has been witnessed as well as felt. This weekend, the Tiger Field that I remember will host its last homecoming. My heart is full of memories and emotions. I cannot be there for this historic event in time, so I’m writing this piece as a tribute to those who served on the field as players, those who coached, those who cheered, and those who played in the LJHS Tiger Marching Band. Here it is. These are thoughts from me and many other grads about the field that meant so much and gave us pictures in our minds to cherish forever.

The night before the game we use to have the burning of the LJ… big bonfire with the cheerleaders and pep band… and everyone checking who was with whom and everyone going for cokes afterward. I lived right across from the high school so I always arrived at the last possible minute that I could afford. (Chores! I always had lots of chores before I could leave the house! So I’d be running for the band room at the last minute hoping Dwight Dale wasn’t going to be upset with me.) And there was the Talent Show that replaced the Snake Line…. I don’t remember what made that go, but all know that time and traditions both march on.

I recall meeting in the band room and then marching to this wonderful cadence from the high school in the dark to Tiger Field. We arrived and went to the stands and played music for the fans. Then came the Star Spangled Banner. The teams were on the field by then I think. Then captains met refs in the center of the field and sides were chosen. Teams lined up for the kick-off and the game began with plenty of cheering. I had a friend in the clarinet section of the band who knew every play and what all of the refs’ calls were! She was to me the smartest female on the student side of the field. Patricia McDonnell! I always sat with her because my knowledge of football pretty much stunk. I was there for the excitement and the fact that I played in the band. I always wondered how she learned all of that stuff…. Did she hang out around the water cooler in the main hall with those guys? Did she get this from her dad? (My dad sharing knowledge of football with his daughter. I love my dad and he me, but that would never have happened. But again I’m veering off the path.)

So the kick-off… This still makes everyone get excited whether on the field or off. Everyone quiet at first and then we watched the players in another game… well not just another game, but the one where orange mums with black LJ letters decorated corsages sold at the gate. And students wore orange and black ribbons that gave the date of the game. Parents would buy these mum corsages from the pep club… and then we’d have them as corsages for the Homecoming Dance. Some homecoming games were very exciting. Everyone seems to remember the win made possible by Jim McDaniel in the last few minutes of the fourth quarter. (1961 or 1962… Check me on the date.)

What else was going on? Just before half time, the band was lining up to march out onto the field to do a half time show. If the weather was cold, brass players were warming their mouthpieces in a pocket or blowing on them so they didn’t stick to the lip while they played. Brass went out onto the field behind the twirlers and the drum major. (Three drum majors I recall were Doug Shand, Steve Gress, and Rick Grassmick) In the 50s and especially the 60s the LJHS band was something to behold. Twice in the 60s they won the State Band Championship and always had representatives in the Top of the Nation First Chair Band and All State Band. They won only superior ratings at the district festivals and were respected across the state of Colorado for their ability to play well and perform. There were an average of 110 members. And after the half time performance, the homecoming queen was crowned. The winning floats from the Homecoming parade were presented. And after that, band members and student fans alike split for the concession stand, while others in blue jeans and band uniforms alike, had a cigarette under the grandstand… Did I just say that? As you can see, we were all having a wonderful time! Even the folks who worked the concession stand had super spirit. When half time was over and the game back in session, they would trade off letting each other go see pieces of the game.

Cheerleaders led us through the games. We always had very energetic and beautiful cheerleaders. Jerry Sabin: gorgeous thick blond hair. The twins, Vickie and Jackie: double gorgeous and double energetic. Patti: Homecoming queen, cheerleader and class clown… we all of us loved her! Sue Tate: Tall, long legs that could kick high! Kathy Burtis: Lovely dark hair with beautiful piercing eyes… and a very strong voice when she cheered! Those were the ones that I knew… or some of them. How about this though… cheerleaders in 1946: Dean West, Lillian Leiphardt, Norma Roberts, and Frank O’Connor. They all led us well and especially well on the night of Homecoming. We all yelled until we went home with no voice.

These are our memories:
The smell of a grassy playing field.
The stands packed with people, and people even sitting on rooftops across from the field
just to see the game.
The music
The cheers
The cigs
The flirting
The break-ups
The food
The touchdowns
The defense
The announcer

These are the things that made us love Tiger Field. These are the things that warm our hearts. I do not know what kind of special commemorative will be given to the Tiger Field that leaves us, but we have in our hearts enough. And it’s time to move on to a new history and new memories of great high school homecomings to be.

May you be in attendance next year, as LJHS celebrates on a new high tech field!

Best… Carolyn Thomas Temple