Carin's Latest Tweets
Players Praise Broyles; Pillars Prop Up United Way
Last updated Saturday, November 10, 2007 9:18 PM CST in Columns
By Carin Schoppmeyer
THE MORNING NEWS
Related Photos
I got a crash course in the history of Arkansas football Nov. 2 in preparation for the fish fry in the East Stadium Club of Donald W. Reynolds Stadium in honor of former coach and outgoing UA athletic director Frank Broyles.
A crowd of more than 400 consisting of players who played under Coach Broyles from 1958 to 1976, their wives, the Broyles and Whitehead families, former UA coaches and some current coaches, university trustees and one lone former basketball player helped commend Broyles on his 50 years of service to the university.
The speakers' lineup read like a football game program. Barry Switzer, Jerry Jones, Jesse Branch, Doug Dickey, Ken Hatfield, Jim Lindsey, Harold Horton and Chuck Dicus, representing the eras of teams Broyles coached, all regaled us with "Coach" stories from the last five decades. They also recounted the many life lessons learned from Broyles and credited him with several of their life successes.
Many groups have wanted to celebrate Broyles' contribution in some manner since he announced his retirement earlier this year, but he always turned them down. That is until Harold Horton and Jim Lindsey came up with the idea about six weeks ago to have a players' reunion for the coach.
Harold told me that he immediately started making phone calls along with Billy Luplow and Billy Joe Moody to other former players and the response was overwhelming. He said they had made 80 such calls before someone had to say no to the invitation because of a family obligation. (I'm thinking it was something major, like a wedding, or he probably would have made it!)
Among those exchanging handshakes and bear hugs were Terry Don Phillips, Loyd Phillips, former sports information director and Voice of the Razorbacks Bob Cheyne, Jerry Lamb, Billy Crockett and Joe Ferguson.
Non-football folks on hand included Caroline and Norm De Briyn, Stan Reed, Charles Scharlau and Sylvia and Tommy Boyer (representing Razorback basketball).
Jim Lindsey presented to us John McDonnell as, "The greatest coach in the history of the NCAA!" to a thunderous standing ovation.
After an evening of hearing his praises sung Broyles told us, "I'm the happiest person in the world. I've had a charmed life and look forward to another 30 years!" This also was met with a thunderous standing ovation.
The newly merged United Way of Northwest Arkansas held its annual Pillars Party Thursday evening at the Springdale home of Lori and Fadil (pronounced FAH-dl) Bayyari with approximately 300 supporters on hand.
Pillars are those donors who contribute at least $1,000 annually to the United Way. Pillars Party committee chairwoman Patricia Clinton told us the 700 area pillars comprise approximately one-third of the local agency's annual budget.
United Way of Northwest Arkansas president Jill Darling told me they've been, "very pleased so far," with their fundraising effort as a merged entity instead of two counties competing. She said it has made it easier for several folks who no longer have to choose between giving in one county where they work or the other county where they live.
Committee members who worked with Patricia to put on a great party on a perfect fall evening included Tracy Cude, Debra Broyles, Donna Hamilton, Merry Lee Phillips, Denise Garner, Jane Gearhart and Hannah Lee.
Our Town columnist Carin Schoppmeyer can be reached by e-mailing cschoppmeyer@nwaonline.net or by phoning 872-5049.
About this columnist
Columnist Carin Schoppmeyer party hops each week to capture the who's who of Northwest Arkansas. Her column covers the numerous charitable events in this community and the people who make them possible.
Email her at cschoppmeyer@nwaonline.net. See past columns on her archive page.
Reader Comments (No comments posted.)
The following comments are provided by readers and are the sole responsibility of their authors. The Morning News does not review comments before their publication, nor do we guarantee their accuracy. By publishing a comment here you agree to abide by our comment policy. If you see a comment that violates our policy, please notify the web editor.
Not already registered?
