Gardendale honors proud football history in Driver Stadium

Published 1:46 pm Friday, August 3, 2018

New leadership has brought a touch of history to the place.

First-year Gardendale head football coach Chad Eads has teamed up with his Director of Operations/Quality Control, De Allen, and others to splash a new look, inspired by a proud history of Rockets football, to the field house in Driver Stadium.

One of the first things you see when you enter the building is 20 letters, which once hung off the main campus of the old Gardendale High School—a structure which was demolished in 2009, allowing construction to begin for the new campus, which officially opened in February of 2010.

“GARDENDALE HIGH SCHOOL” can be seen posted on a maroon backdrop above a large trophy case in the school’s field house. Players and coaches walk past it every day and according to Eads, players have enjoyed the new nostalgic look of the building. “They like knowing what came before them.”

Double doors lead to the GHS meeting room, which has recently been peppered with photos that take today’s players and coaches on a little trip back in time. To the time of head coach Ed Bruce, for example.

Two of Bruce’s most celebrated teams—1977 and 1978—are now honored through large team photos on the back wall. The 1977 team (Bruce’s third season at the wheel) finished with a record of 10-2 and is recognized as Gardendale’s first state playoff team.

Gardendale came up three points shy of a state championship game berth in 1978. An 18-16 loss at Colbert County on Nov. 24, 1978 ended the Rockets’ season at 10-3.

Eads and co. have also begun organizing a wall of honor for NFL alumni. Six of Gardendale’s own have reached the NFL, including current Chicago Bears’ running back Jordan Howard.

Jeff Parks spent time playing for the Houston Oilers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1986 to 1988; Curt Jarvis played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1987 to 1990; Willie Wyatt played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1990; Joe Mickles split time between the Washington Redskins and the San Diego Chargers from 1989 to 1992; and Kevin Drake bounced from the Arizona Cardinals to the Buffalo Bills to the Denver Broncos from 2000 to 2001.

Each player will soon be represented in a framed photo surrounding an NFL logo in the meeting room. Eads is still waiting on photos from Howard and Drake.

Perhaps the oldest throwback in the building is an original sketch of the stadium from the Gardendale Quarterbacks Club. The layout appears to have been hand drawn with a pencil and has been framed up near the NFL wall. The stadium was originally called Rocket Stadium. It’s known today as Driver Stadium, honoring L.E. Driver.

Eads also pointed to several additional renovations to the field house, including painting and shelving projects. Those efforts will soon be shifted to the field, however, as Week 0 is three weeks away.

Erik Harris is the Sports Editor of The North Jefferson News. Email him at njnsports@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @jeharris2.