When Bob Martin (Roberto Martinez, actually) came to town in the spring of ‘44 to coach the Eagles, he inherited a battered and bruised team that had won one, tied two and had given up 477 points in the previous two seasons.
But Coach Martin was the shot in the arm the Eagles needed, as in only one year he led them to a surprising successful season—finishing the 1944 campaign at 7-3.
The whole community anxiously waited for the 1945 season to roll around as they knew that Martin would unveil a new offensive strategy and a more powerful team than the previous year and he did…
The 1945 Brownsville Golden War Eagles (as they were called then) implemented the “T’ formation to dominate the opposition. The Eagles had a record-breaking year finishing the regular season with a 10-0 record.
(1945 War Eagles starting line-up front row l to r: Lawrence Pompa, Gonzalo Garcia, (selected as a Little All-American at Southwest Texas State), Jimmy Coulter, Frank Parker (played at UT-Austin before an injury ended his football career), Jimmy Hunter, Bob Putegnat, and Paul Gilmore.
Back row l to r: N. B. Jones, Albert Ward, Marshall Alford (played football at Baylor) and Tommy Hollon.)In the first game of the season the Eagles took to the road and defeated the powerful Weslaco team 26-0—the Panthers eventually went on to win the 40-A crown. The Brownsville boys used trickery on offense and a solid defense to demonstrate to friends and foes that they were the team to beat in16-AA.
Electric Score Board installed
As the War Eagles prepared for their 1945 home opener against San Antonio Burbank—the students were also deciding to crown their football sweetheart. The whole community was excited about the Eagles and so was the Brownsville Lions Club. The club spent $350 to adorn Tucker Field with an elaborate electric score board.
The organization announced that the telephone operated board might not be ready for opening night, but for sure would be ready for the Kingsville match-up. One of the board’s operators would walk back and forth on the sidelines and furnish telephonic information to the other operator at the board. According the Lions Club “the score board made it easier for the fans to follow the game.
And speaking about fans, another of the silver hair boys of 1945, Frank Parker, who vividly recalled those fall days of football, commented “we packed them in, the bleachers were always full.”
1945 Home Opener at Tucker Field
The Ward family of Brownsville played a significant role before and during the game. The football contest was not the only feature of the night. The coronation of Ms. Rosie Ward as football queen was also a celebrated moment for her running back brother Albert and cheerleader sister Barbara.The Burbank game was a non-conference event scheduled before the Eagles started district play. The San Antonio team ran right smash into a human wall—as the home own boys displayed finesse on both sides of the line to conquer the Alamo boys 37-13.
Next for the War Eagles was San Benito, who was also undefeated and untied—a match of the titans in San Benito. The Eagles had to fight for everything they got. The San Benito backs, ends and tackles seem to be every where –especially star running back Carl Otsuki, and Manuel Corsi.
But by the second quarter, on a field of marsh and soggy grass the Eagle defense tightened up. By then, the slippery ball made no difference as the Brownsville crew scored once and again took the leather across the goal line in the third stanza. When the last whistle blew Brownsville took San Benito to the cleaners 13-0.
With three consecutive wins, Brownsville would now prepare for its stiffest opponent, the Kingsville Brahmas. Both teams were selected late in August as the top two contenders for the 16-AA title.
Newspaper reports indicated that the game would attract the biggest crowd in Brownsville and Valley football history. Tucker Field was a busy place even before the game started. As new box seats were installed, and additional reserved bleachers were designated—along with more ushers and law enforcement to direct traffic.
Wow! Was there excitement or what? According to Paul Gilmore, the former starting end for the War Eagles, who still lives in Brownsville –recently responded with a big smile and said “Yes!” “These were fun and exciting times.”
The Friday lights were not even warm when the Eagles started scoring at will against a supposedly formable opponent. The scoring came easy and before it was all over the War Birds had 37 points on the board to Kingsville’s 7.
On defense the Eagles were described as one the best forces in South Texas football. An Eagle fan from then said, “It was amazing to see how the Eagle blockers stopped Kingsville cold,”
The Golden War Eagles continued their winning ways…blanking Corpus Christi Academy 52-0; crushing Robstown 35-7; walloping La Feria 64-0 (non-conference); beating Edinburg 28-7; stomping McAllen 29-0; and smashing Harlingen 32-6
When end of the season polls were out—the “War Eagles” were ranked number 9th in state of Texas—with their bi-district opponent, San Antonio Jefferson rated 11th .
Boosters follow Eagles to San Antonio
Ardent Eagle fans made plans for special bus excursions and yet others were making the trip to San Antonio by car, plane and train. The Eagles were going to have hundreds of boosters backing them up. Large caravans were seen making their way to the Alamo city to see a game that the Eagles were given a 50-50 chance against Jefferson.
School officials also made arrangements for six commercial buses to carry students to San Antonio—with a return trip immediately after the game. The buses accommodated up to 200 students paying five dollars each. At the ticket box, fans were paying 1.20 for reserved seats, with special tickets for students and faculty at 60 cents each.
Who were the Mustangs—they had perhaps the best backs in the state. The highly favorite club was led by quarterback Kyle Rote (who later was an all-American at S.M.U. and a super star with New York Giants) and perhaps the fastest running backs in Texas, Rheiner Cody, Pat Knight, and Walton Lipke.
Jefferson had defeated the Brownsville bunch 74-0 and 57-0 in San Antonio’s Alamo Stadium back in 1942 and 1943.
After the game the Herald wrote, “The tumult and the shouting died—suddenly. The Golden War Eagles of Brownsville unbeaten and untied Champions of District 16-AA for 1945, fell from the Texas gridiron sky—struck by a blast from the roaring guns of the Jefferson Mustangs Champions of 15-AA.”
With at least 13, 000 fans watching the game—the Alamo eleven out scored the Eagles 26-7—thus becoming the first team to stop the vaunted “T” formation and by doing so ending one of Brownville’s greatest football season.
Eagles that were selected to the All-Valley AA first team were: Lawrence Pompa, end, Gonzalo Garcia, tackle, Marshall Alford, N. B. Jones, and Albert Ward, backfield. Those that made it to the second team included: Paul Gilmore, end, Jimmy Coulter, guard and Tommy Hollon, back.
It pays to be a winner…
The Eagles did not only bring the greatest winning season in 15 years, but also the most successful financially, in Brownsville High School history. When the ’44 season ended the athletic fund had $7.75, but after the 1945 season that balance grew to historical levels.
Actual total receipts for the season were $29,145.65 and after reimbursements of $21,131.85 the sports department had cleared a net profit $8,011.20—which according to the consumer price index would today have a buying power of more than $100,000.
The Brownsville-Jefferson tangle in San Antonio brought in the most money $4,657.67; next most profitable was the encounter with Kingsville which brought a cool $3,815.05; followed by the Edinburg and Harlingen games in which both brought in just over $3,300.
“Never in the history of Brownsville High School has a football season ended on such a highly successful financial note,” said Mrs. E.C. Myers, then secretary for the district, and keeper of the books.
Whether at the sandlot, the playground or on the field, it always pays to win—because winners make the rules and losers follow them.
P.S.: Bob Martin’s real name was Roberto Martinez—Why did he take a name Change?
After the game the Herald wrote, “The tumult and the shouting died—suddenly. The Golden War Eagles of Brownsville unbeaten and untied Champions of District 16-AA for 1945, fell from the Texas gridiron sky—struck by a blast from the roaring guns of the Jefferson Mustangs Champions of 15-AA.”
With at least 13, 000 fans watching the game—the Alamo eleven out scored the Eagles 26-7—thus becoming the first team to stop the vaunted “T” formation and by doing so ending one of Brownville’s greatest football season.
Eagles that were selected to the All-Valley AA first team were: Lawrence Pompa, end, Gonzalo Garcia, tackle, Marshall Alford, N. B. Jones, and Albert Ward, backfield. Those that made it to the second team included: Paul Gilmore, end, Jimmy Coulter, guard and Tommy Hollon, back.
It pays to be a winner…
The Eagles did not only bring the greatest winning season in 15 years, but also the most successful financially, in Brownsville High School history. When the ’44 season ended the athletic fund had $7.75, but after the 1945 season that balance grew to historical levels.
Actual total receipts for the season were $29,145.65 and after reimbursements of $21,131.85 the sports department had cleared a net profit $8,011.20—which according to the consumer price index would today have a buying power of more than $100,000.
The Brownsville-Jefferson tangle in San Antonio brought in the most money $4,657.67; next most profitable was the encounter with Kingsville which brought a cool $3,815.05; followed by the Edinburg and Harlingen games in which both brought in just over $3,300.
“Never in the history of Brownsville High School has a football season ended on such a highly successful financial note,” said Mrs. E.C. Myers, then secretary for the district, and keeper of the books.
Whether at the sandlot, the playground or on the field, it always pays to win—because winners make the rules and losers follow them.
P.S.: Bob Martin’s real name was Roberto Martinez—Why did he take a name Change?
21 comments:
They lost the last game! How can they be a winner? smh.
the blogger of 9:08 is like Trump who says that McClain was no hero because he was captured. I wonder if the above sour-puss ever played sports? He probably was in the band tooting his own horn.
Winners on and off the field... batter than the teams of today.
hey wait a minute, stop the press, how come we were lied to? Saying all the time was that joe rod was the only winning coach the brownsville eagles ever had? 1969 champions well till Seguin came in and blow them out of the water? True lies.
Great piece
Didnt need the million dollar score board, back then, to have a good team and fans that went to watch a game not to be fan of gadgets.
I was a eagle fan in the 50s I have fond memories. The eagle band was second to none and the gym dances were great
I really joyed reading this nostalgic piece
G.Garcia went on to become a little all American at Tex state. He was Invited to tryout with Chicago Bears
Many of them went on to make their mark in Brownsville. Gonzalo became the head CJH coach in the 50's. He was a pillar of the Methodist Church and his wife sang in the choir. Parker was the head coach at BHS. Paul Gilmore passed away a few years back and was a wonderful guy. I know or knew most of the others.
The photo of Tucker Field was lifted from a BHS year book and that is me, the kid looking back over his right shoulder.
I should mention that in those days, Brownsville was an American city whereas today it is Barrio Mata Norte. Different time and indeed a different town. Pity!
What! No million dollar score board
Yeah! And that million dollar Coach Joe scoreboard caused a lot of trouble and he didn't even get a slap on his hands, except he was voted out after he had filled his pockets. He caused all the trouble with the school board and the superintendent y el se quedo riendo!!!!
Did only gringos play back then .
to 7:00am
That's call racism which most of us were not familiar with unless you went up north to work, and that's why edcouch elsa HS walked out of school in the 60's.
How come the Whites are not playing today?
Imagine if joe Rodriguez was on the school board during this era, the money would disappear
Let’s hold back on racism. It was more about the Latino helping to put food on the table by finding a job. He couldn’t waste his time playing sports especially during the war years. Family came first
Sad, this is what we teach boys are valued for, kicking a ball around. No wonder the Asians are beating us head over foot in math, science, tech. We lift dumb muscleheads on our shoulders, almost none of which ever get a pro sports job, who struggle to get hired at a family business or some local grocery store after their big high school sports days are over.
Meanwhile the guys buying the jags and bringing in the top incomes are the geeks who went into computer science, material science, mechanical engineering, chemical science, those nerd classes. No wonder Brownsville is at the bottom nationally, we put millions into a stupid scoreboard for a few temporary high school ball throwing jocks, with limited glory days and no real career paths. Then import the brains from Asia and China to do the real work, and get the real salaries.
If its real it needs to be said and there was and stil it exist today in this city. Chicanos did not play because the coach wanted to impress his elders elected officials so he could keep his job just as that million dollar score board purchaser when he as coaching I know I was there. You have to remember that at that time there were a lot of family owned stores and most of the owners were on the school board and on the city commission. The coaches did not want to step on anybody's toes so they played the sons of those store owners call it what ever you want to call it, that's the way it was back then...
3 : 37 your explanation is right on
I don't remember tucker field nor The Star drive in theater on old 77hwy.
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