Social media group invites Burnet Bulldogs of all ages to share their memories, experiences
Burnet High School has had three different football teams play for state championships that are special memories for the players, trainers, coaches and everyone who wears the Kelly green.
Those experiences is why 1988 Burnet High School graduate Randy Denton started the Burnet Bulldog Football Alumni page after attending a Bulldog Dads gathering with head coach Bryan Wood where attendees were brainstorming ideas on how to get more community involvement.
“We want to get people excited and try to do things,” Denton said. “It was something we came up with to try to get our alumni back involved. We want to get our ex-players back, to get them involved. I volunteered to take that on.”
The response has been positive as people from all eras have shared their favorite memories, moments, teams or other aspects about Bulldog football that make it a unique fraternity. Denton, who serves as the page administrator, said he has enjoyed reading the posts and comments and has learned some behind-the-scenes moments involving players and coaches that isn’t publicly known. While anyone can read what’s shared, those who want to post their memories must become members. People can private message Denton or email [email protected] to become a member.
“I set it up as a football page,” he said. “I think football is unique with camarderie, I think it deserves its own alumni club because football is hard. Not everyone wants to be (apart of the sport).”
A favorite part of the page for Denton is seeing the number of families who played for the Bulldogs, some that stretch for three generations.
He noted Mitchell Maxwell, who played for the 1991 team that finished second in the Class 3A state title, may have the largest number of family members who played for the Bulldogs at 40. Denton pointed out that some Bulldogs, how are aged 80 and older, have their own memories that people will enjoy knowing. They include Thomas Hullum, who is in his 90s and played in the 1940s. Hullum has family members who played in the 1970s up to 2020.
“When I got into it, I realized how cool it was and how important it is to try to get the alumni together,” Denton said. “We have granddads and dads who played. We also have newer players. We also have some who are first-generation players. I never really realized the number of families who have played.”
The page administrator also didn’t realize the number of players on the 1991 team, the program’s first squad to play for a state title, who are still in the area. He noted team member Terry Kircus recalled winning a district title that season but couldn’t remember the scores of the games, which are secondary to what happened on the road of winning the gold trophies.
“We want to get the ball rolling and start the camarderie because of the uniqueness of the playoffs,” Denton said. “You remember the stories and the bus rides and what’s said in the huddle. Let’s get together, let’s share those stories. It’s a brotherhood.”
The page is the first step. Denton said there’s been talk of organizing social activities, assembling a board of directors to have a golf tournament to raise money for scholarships, and starting a Bulldog football hall of fame. He noted getting people excited about a program is easier when that team is making history by advancing deep in the playoffs, adding he’s been part of teams that went 1-9 and 8-2.
“The ultimate goal is to support the current Bulldogs and the older guys sharing their experiences,” he said. “We want the current guys to see the past guys. We want to get all the (alumni) and get them at games. We need to get involved in the football program. Do you remember if you went 3-7 or 7-3? You remember the guy who played next to you for three years. We need to get these guys back involved – that’s what we want from the past Bulldogs.”
No matter the age, the common thread is donning that Bulldog uniform.
“I didn’t have any (expectations when I started the page),” he said. “I thought, ‘Let me throw it out there, we’ll build the camarderie and get the guys back involved.’ It exceeded my expectations.”
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