Sherman
Bearcat Traditions  |
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Originally, Wes Barker was the building and trades teacher. He, along with his classes, built a brick home each year on a lot purchased by Sherman ISD. Wes had the knowledge and ability to demonstrate each skill needed in the building process. At the end of the school year, the school district sold the completed house and purchased a lot for the next year. Later, Mr. Barker became the computer-aided drafting teacher (CAD) where students learned to draw blueprints. He coached the SHS robotics team in the NT Best competition. Wes is remembered as a multi-talented teacher who was able to convey to his students the many skills that he mastered himself. His legacy lives on in his students in the workforce today. |
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| BEARCAT
TABLE-Located for
many years in the main hall outside the office, the Bearcat Table is now, in
the Ex-Student Association Museum in the Central Office. One of the most
beautiful additions to our collection of trophies the table was made by
some of the students taking manual training, the work being under the supervision
of A.E. Smith. The vast majority of the work was done by John Massingale,
who spent almost two months working on it. Dick Keith is credited with
designing the table. The table is 31 inches high and 78 inches long and
32 inches wide. The materials probably cost less than $50 but the
table's sentimental value is priceless. Under the table is a handcrafted
brace extending from leg to leg, and supporting a wooden football. The
football is a replica, in the exact dimensions, of a football autographed
by Knute Rocke and used by the Bearcats. Many have seen and admired
the table, but few have given thought to the time and effort required
to accomplish this feat. John Massingale is certainly to be commended for
his untiring efforts and beautiful workmanship. His senior class of 1927
will always remember, if future SHS graduates do not, that John was the
one who devoted so much time for his school. The table was made and
given to SHS in 1927. Tradition has it that nothing should be laid or set
on the table. DO NOT TOUCH. No one should lean upon it out of respect for
what it represents. |
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| SHS HALL OF FAME-Any student
who wins at the state level in any competition is photographed and the
picture is placed in the main hall or office with an explanation
of the achievement. |
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 BILLY
BOB BEARCAT-our mascot
stands in the library today. Billy Bob is constructed of fiberglass
and became a fixture at all home football games in the late 1960's. The
booster club and students contributed the money to fund the making of Billy
Bob. Billy Bob's clothing was made by Mrs. Mary McCullough, a homemaking
teacher at SHS. Billy Bob was first shown to the students on September
16, 1966 at the pep rally for the Sherman vs. Durant . Billy Bob Bearcat
cost $550 to make. The students donated $500 and the Bearcat Athletic department
paid the rest. At one time Billy Bob's eyes flashed , a loud siren
came from his body with smoke coming from his mouth. Billy Bob was under
the care of a group of young men called the Billy Bob Boys. It was their
responsibility to take Billy Bob to the pep rallies and the games. It was
quite a sight seeing Billy Bob going down the highway in the back of a
pickup truck. Billy Bob was retired from the sidelines in 1981 due to wear
and tear on his body. |
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FOOTBALL
PAINTING-This painting was given to SHS by Denison
High School in 1977 to commemorate our winning season of 1976. The
artist is Joe Taylor, a Denison attorney. The painting has traditionally
been hung in the SHS Library. |
| BILLY
BOB BEARCAT PAINTING-This
is an original painting of Billy Bob Bearcat from which many posters have
been made. The artist is Dirk West, a well-known artist from the southwest.
He has drawn all the mascots for all the southwest conference schools.
The SHS Booster Club hired him to do a painting of our Billy Bob mascot. Student
artists of the past, such as Tim Hale, contributed to the design of the
cartoon figure. |
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| GENE
LOOP MEMORIAL LIBRARY-Miss Loop retired in 1990 after
a 35 year career at Sherman High School. She taught Social Studies,
coached debate, and was involved in just about every other activity
imaginable over those 35 years. After her retirement she continued
to support SHS as a volunteer. Gene Loop was considered by many of
us as the spirit of SHS and most ardent supporter and fan. |
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| BEARCATS-The Sherman Bearcats
had their nickname decided on September 25, 1923, by a committee representing the
student body. Each student turned in the name they preferred. O.C. Burgess
turned in the name Bearcats. Immediately following the naming of the team,
a pep rally was held in the high school auditorium. |
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| MAROON AND WHITE-For many
years the school colors were red and white. Shortly after 1936 the
high school began using the colors maroon and white, and it continues today. |
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| BEARCAT BAND-The bearcat
band was first organized during the 1923 football season. The first director
of the band was Bill Collins (economics teacher and part-time band director).
As the band entered the field, the crowds cheered widely and threw their
hats into the air in crazed delight. In the fall of 1941, Bill Collins
wrote the new school song. "Hail All Hail to Sherman High" became the school's
Alma Mater and Fight Song. The Alma Mater was later replaced, but to this
day the fight song is still Collins's work. |
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| CHOIR-The Choral Club was
first organized in February of 1927 by director Bess DuBois. The band sang
programs in the chapel and at Rotary Club meetings. |
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| HI-STEPPERS DRILL TEAM-The
Drill team was organized in 1961 under the guidance of sponsor Alieree
Clark, principal Walter Carpenter, and teacher Nina Ferrill. |
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| ATHENIAN-The first Athenians
were in the form of a quarterly magazine. In 1916, the Athenian developed
into a full fledged yearbook. Most of the covers of the Athenian have been
maroon and white. |
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| BEARCAT STADIUM-The Bearcat
stadium was completed in 1941 by the Works Project Administration. The
facility was built to hold a crowd of 4,500. The first game was
played on September 19, 1941 with Dallas Tech. Sherman lost 13-0.
Prior to 1941 the games were played on a field not far from Austin College
and at the Fair Park Stadium at Old Settlers Park. |
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| VICTORY FLAG-The maroon
and white victory flag is in the display case by the main office. Tradition
has it that the Victory Flag flies on the pole along with the U.S. and
Texas flags for a full week after each sports victory. The Victory Flag
originally was sewn in 1939. |
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