Next August will mark 60 years ago that I arrived in Batesville to begin my first job as the assistant football and also basketball and baseball coach.

It was the first time to be employed in the public school system.

The superintendant of schools was a wonderful man named Malcolm Shackelford and his high school principal was W.C. Eaker.

Mr. Shack, as we called him, had arranged for me to room with Mr. Eaker at 219 Boothe St. with Mrs. Catherine Broome and her two sons, David and Harold. Daughter Elizabeth was married to Charlie Florence who operated a laundry and dry cleaning business. I was accepted shortly as a member of a wonderful family in a great community.

Unfortunately all of my “adopted” family have passed away, but I continue to love Batesville and all the wonderful people there especially the ones I had the privilege of coaching. I think Banks Brassell is about the only former player I have seen in recent years.

I have followed South Panola with interest since I returned south from Nevada in 2002. It is a great program like we only dreamed of.

I would appreciate hearing from or about any of the people I coached in 1952, 1953 and 1954.

God Bless,
Doug Brown
409 Lake Shore Dr.
Starke, Fla. 32091-6368