Page 10 The Milan Mirror-Exchange, Tuesday, June 9, 2020 Boys and girls, it’s time to PLAY BALL! By Logan Watson The last few months have been Big Orange Report turbulent to say the very least, but this might just be the light at By Warner Agee pleted an unblemished campaign folks young and old. the end of the tunnel. and claimed the National Cham- One thing that always struck For the first time since March Say Hello to the pionship. me about Coach was that even 16, organized sports will be General For Us Majors early years were grind- though he was not a big man, he returning to the Milan City Park. ing as he slowly tried to rebuild had extra large hands. When he Players with Milan’s Cal This week’s Big Orange a roster that was devoid of talent. extended his right hand and you Ripken Youth Baseball League Report was supposed to be the His predecessor, , lost shook with him, a normal man’s will begin practicing on Monday, first edition of Meet the Vols as his job because of ineffective and hand would disappear inside the June 15. Organizers are currently we celebrated the return of the at times, lazy recruiting. Quar- firm grasp of the head coach. working to establish schedules football players to Knoxville last terback Pat Ryan, who played Majors knew they way to West and set up games, and the league Wednesday. It was ironic that last several seasons in the National Tennessee as well. He once told reopened registration last week week’s story was about the 1985 Football League, was a senior me that he thought Milan’s leg- to allow young players to get Vols prominently featuring head on Majors first Volunteer squad. endary John Tucker was the best signed up. coach and his “They (the staff) coached us high school coach in the entire Teams will have two weeks to slow but steady rebuilding job hard but we weren’t very good, state. Majors recruited the west practice before the league kicks at Tennessee. Then a couple of we didn’t have any football play- state with a passion. He got Jeff off five weeks of games. days after publication, the very ers,” Ryan said. “To this day and Smith, Bill Weams, Ernest Fields, The city has also created a sad, if not somewhat shocking every time I saw him, he was John Fisher, Larry Joe Smith and Facebook page devoted exclu- news of Majors death at the age apologizing for how hard they George Kidd out of Tucker’s sively to all youth sports leagues of 85 was announced. For those had been on us. I simply said dominating programs. He pulled and events in the city in order to of us who admired and respected that’s football and that was him in the Tasmanian Devil, Jimmy help parents keep up with what’s this Big Orange legend, the mel- establishing his culture.” Ryan Noonan from Dyersburg and happening around town and get ancholy moments have lingered, concluded by saying this, “It just added Kacy Rodgers and Toby their kids involved in local activ- but now it is time to celebrate a sad day. It really is. He was the Champion from some great ities. his life and suggest that he say best.” Humboldt teams. Milan Economic and Commu- hello to General , Charles Davis, a star safety on nity Development Coordinator Doug Atkins, Reggie White and that ‘85 team and a new addi- The Bitter End Allyson Harris stated that the his old friend Coach George tion to CBS sports football cov- girls softball league had elected Cafego. erage, called Majors a giant of Majors had won SEC titles in to move their season into the Johnny Majors, his Dad and the game. “The history of SEC 1989 and 1990. He had built a fall. his brothers are considered to football can’t be written without national powerhouse. Prior to For more information on be the first football family of the Johnny Majors as a player and the 1992 he had a new contract summer sports activities avail- state of Tennessee. When Majors coach,” Davis noted. “He won and extension on the table but able for kids, join the “Youth enrolled in the mid-1950s, he was at everything he ever did.” Davis procrastinated and did not sign it Sports in Milan, TN” Facebook a slightly built but very talented concluded with passion in his immediately. Then he had a heart group or call the Milan City Park tailback running out of the single voice when he said this, “There’s attack and four by-passes. Phil at 731-238-3064. They can also wing formation. He was the never been a day in my life after Fulmer was the interim coach be reached via email at milan- Most playing for him that I didn’t think and after the Vols got off to a [email protected]. Valuable Player in 1955-56. A about him. It’s a great loss and a fast start, Majors returned when near consensus All American sad day for all of us.” he should have sat out the entire in 1956, he finished second to In the early days of the Big year. Weddle’s Milan Buffaloes... (Cont. from Page 9) Notre Dame’s Paul Hornung Orange Report, an occasion To this day, many Vol faith- Mason at guard. Milan players High, Pearl High and Tennessee when the ballots were dominated call to Coach Majors for a brief ful believe that Fulmer was the earning Honorable Mention were State (A & I). Semi-pro player by northern and east coast sports interview were few but he never main culprit in Majors abrupt team Captain James “Pee Wee” Haynes lost in the first round. writers. He played on year in failed to return the call. Talking to departure at the conclusion of Jones, Raymond “Dee” Johnson, Pearl easily beat teams from Born in 1931, Weddle graduated the Canadian Football League him would often seem similar to the year. However, Roy Exum, Eris “Goldie” Barham and Wil- Montgomery, AL and Pine Bluff, from GCTS in 1952 and enlisted before getting into coaching. His speaking with an old friend that a sports writer form Chatta- liam Barham. Other Milan play- Arkansas but narrowly lost 39-37 in the Air Force. After training in passion for the game of football you had not seen or heard from nooga who was close friends ers were Franklin Taylor, Charles to Charleton Pollard of Texas, the Texas he was stationed mainly was obvious and he dedicated in several years. He was accom- with Majors and Athletic Direc- V. Carter, Bennie C. Hutchinson fourth place finisher. Pearl fin- at Denver’s Lowery Air Force his life to the pursuit of excel- modating and colorful at times. tor Doug Dickey, claims in a Frames, John Martin, and Vencil ished 5th nationally. Pearl won 4 Base. In the service he played lence on the gridiron. On the field before the Orange recently published piece, that it E. Rogers. NHSAA national championships basketball against talented Mid- After leading the programs at and White games when the fans was a former Majors’ teammate, in later years. west basketball teams and once Iowa State and Pittsburg, Majors were allowed to meet and greet Bob Johnson, who was the main Elite 8 against the famous Harlem Glo- returned to his beloved Tennes- the coaches and players, Majors conspirator in the coup de tat that Pearl vs. Humboldt? betrotters. see in 1977. His University of stayed, signed autographs and ended Majors’ tenure at his alma The Buffaloes finished as one Weddle later signed a one- Pittsburg team had just com- posed politely for pictures with mater. Johnson, a banker from of the four best teams in West During the Buffaloes great year contract with the semi-pro Sparta and member of the Board Tennessee and in the state Elite ’49 season, the Humboldt High Denver Central Bankers in the of Trustees, turned on Majors 8. District 4’s top teams were School Rams went undefeated National Industrial Basketball and it almost came to blows at Gibson Co. Training (Milan) (44-0), and won the “white” League, comprised of many a Big Orange picnic in Nash- and Denmark (Jackson). District state tournament behind all-star players and coaches that went on ville. Dickey bears some of the 3’s top teams were Woodstock Doug Atkins, a future NFL Hall to the NBA. The NIBL league responsibility as well, but it was (located in Lucy near Memphis), of Famer. included future NBA All-Stars Johnson who led the conspiracy and Allen-White (Whiteville). The shame of racial segrega- like Bob Boozer, Gus Johnson, to oust Majors. The other four teams were tion is that, in 1949, fans did not Dick Barnett, George Yardley Perhaps it is time to put all that Kingsport and Bristol (District get to see state champ Humboldt and Hall of Fame coach Larry to rest now and just recall the 1) and Pearl and Haynes (Dis- play state champ Pearl for a true Brown. salad days of Majors playing and trict 2). Tennessee high school boys’ After his stint with the Bank- coaching careers in Knoxville. The teams played in the seg- state championship. ers, Weddle moved to Detroit He was a larger than life char- regated “Negro” state tourna- It would be 1966 before Ten- and attended Electronic Engi- acter and the term Vol For Life ment at Pearl High School, On nessee integrated the TSSAA neering Institute and Wayne fits him to a Power T. We will Mar. 10, Milan took on powerful boys state basketball tourna- State. Employed by GM as a miss you Coach, your colorful Nashville Haynes, a team that ment. When black schools were Millwright/Field Engineer, he personality and your concern won 30 games. finally able to vie for a TSSAA retired after 40 years from the and love for your school and the Haynes edged Milan 40-35 state championship, the all black Powertrain Plant in Warren, MI. men who played for you. Across behind impressive, balanced Pearl High School Tigers won The former Buffaloes captain the Big Orange Nation, you are scoring from five starters (J. the state title and finished the became a community leader. a giant and we will never forget Easley 6 pts., Bowles 6, Usery 7, season undefeated, 31-0. In 1986 Weddle was ordained you as long as there is a Neyland Turner 8, Watkins 7, and substi- a deacon in Detroit’s Great Stadium and a Tennessee foot- tute B. Easley with 6. “Panhandle” Weddle Salvation Baptist Church. He ball program. And yes, please Milan was led by James “Pee was Chancellor Commander say hello to the General for us Wee” Jones with a game-high Willie D. Weddle (1931-2009) of Detroit’s Rosewood Lodge too. 16 points, and Willie Weddle’s was one of Tennessee’s top ath- Knights of Pythias and a Boy 13 points. Other Milan scoring: letes around 1950, starring in Scout leader. Returning to Milan, Vol Notes Barham 2, Mason 2, Adams 2. basketball, football and track. In he was president of the GCTS- The loss to Haynes did not basketball he was a forward-post Polk Clark alumni, devoting The football team, including eliminate Milan. The Buffaloes player and twice served as cap- much of his time to preserving his the incoming freshman class, bounced back, winning a dra- tain of his Milan team. His nick- old school building. Mr. Weddle are on campus now and working in the weight and training pro- matic consolation game over name, “Panhandle” came from passed away Nov. 4, 2009. WTJGA 7-9-YEAR-OLD GIRLS WINNER – Charlie Burns (left) grams. They can also work out- Allen-White (Whiteville) 48-46. his resemblance to a tall, movie Weddle and the 1949 GCTS of Milan was the individual winner in the West Tennessee Junior side but must be led by players Willie Weddle was stellar, scor- cowboy, Panhandle Perkins. Buffaloes team were inducted Golf Association’s weekly instructional program 7-9-year-old girls only, no coaches allowed. The ing a game-high 21 points. One “He was big and tall and a into the Gibson Co. Sports Hall division. The program held Thursdays at Gibson County Golf Course men’s and women’s basketball of Milan’s Barham boys – the superb basketball player,” said of Fame in 2011. teaches fundamentals and rules of the game. box score in the Nashville Ten- teammate Franklin Taylor. “He squads were expected to arrive at nessean didn’t give first names was a good team man. If you UT this week. – came off the bench to score guarded him, you had prob- 14 points. Other Milan scoring: lems.” Jones 5, Mason 4, Johnson 2, “He was big and skinny, a tall Royal Care Clinic, P.C. Barham 2. Cousins Eris and Wil- guy,” said schoolmate Pandora ATTENTION COACHES! liam Barham played for Milan. Thomas Flake about “Willie D.” Let us know if your travel ball or Whiteville scoring: Finley 14, “He didn’t shoot three-pointers. All-Star team is playing locally. Lake 8, Strayhorne 5, (subs) If they’d had three-pointers back Ranier 6, Grimes 7, Perry 4, then, he would have made them. Grimes 2. Starters Parram and He could also dunk the ball.” Send photos and information to Harris did not score. “He was strong, and when [email protected] Page 7 he started to the basket, I don’t Third in state care if there were two or three hanging on him, he went to the The Buffaloes earned third basket,” said manager, Rus- PRIVETT’S WRECKER SERVICE KANDY WORLD place in the state tournament. sell Williamson. He compared 120 N. CENTRAL AVE “The team just jelled together Weddle to Louisville star and 117 DAWSON BOTTOM RD. and wanted to win. The players NBA Hall of Famer Wes Unseld, HUMBOLDT, TN 38343 HUMBOLDT, TN 38343 wanted to show the solidarity who died recently. “(Weddle) AUCTION WILL BE HELD MONDAY, AUCTION WILL BE HELD MONDAY, and comradeship that we had at could dunk in 1950, long before JUNE 15, 2020 AT 9AM JUNE 15, 2020 AT 9AM our high school,” said manager guys were dunking. He was a Festus Arinze, Shanea Hines, Russell Williamson about the good athlete and good hearted; 1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 1G2WP5216WF289684 1979 CHEVY MALIBU 1W27H9K559670 team’s keys to success. “Vernon you could hardly make him mad. PREVIOUS REGISTERED OWNER: T. VESTAL, JR. M.D. PREVIOUSFNP REGISTERED OWNER: B. QUARLES Graves was a great coach and He was always a person of excel- great athlete himself.” lent character, displaying good “We were good enough to sportsmanship and integrity, 705 Medical Park Dr. win the state championship, but along with his athleticism.” sometimes you don’t get the In track, Weddle did the 440 Humboldt, TN breaks,” said Franklin Taylor. relay, high jump and broad In the state title game, Pearl jump. At the state track meet he trounced Haynes 65-35. Haynes tied for state honors in the high 784-2442 lost just 3 games, all to Pearl. jump at 6 feet, but proved he Pearl and Haynes went on to Tisha Webster, Agent could go higher. “The Nashville 1021 Jones Blvd play in the National High School Banner wanted to take a picture Accepting new patients Athletic Association national bas- Milan, TN 38358 of him attempting a high jump, Bus: 731-686-9757 ketball tournament in Nashville. and Willie cleared the bar by six [email protected] of all ages2012 FREIGHTLINER SEMI 1F4JGEDV8CSBV6099 17 black high school teams, 15 inches,” said Russell William- PREVIOUS REGISTERED OWNER: P. SHOP of which were state champions, son. “Professor (Vernon) Graves State Farm, Bloomington, IL 1211999 We accept most medical insurance policies, including Tenncare played at school gyms at Haynes almost had a fit.”

Privett’s Wrecker Service 117 Dawson Bottom Rd. Humboldt, TN 38343 Auction will be held Monday, June 15, 2020 at 9AM 1994 FORD F-250 1FTHX25H7RKB94682 PREVIOUS REGISTERED OWNER: D. PYRON