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Sullins Tribute Unequaled in Annals of Po-Hi Athletics

Sullins Tribute Unequaled in Annals of Po-Hi Athletics
by Louise Abercrombie, News Staff Writer

The Earl Sullins Tribute was an event that will be unequaled in the annals of Ponca City athletics. An all-star roster of former athletes catered at the homage to “Coach” Sullins for the lessons he taught them about football, baseball and life. As was only to be expected the 90 year old former coach stole the show as he took to the podium with a standing ovation and proclaimed “I think the lily has been glided quite a bit here tonight.” Then he proceeded to tick of player’s names, dates, history, scores and other statistics. Sullins also paid tribute to his brother Oscar of Edmond and recognized his nieces and nephews and their families and their sports accomplishments.

When the Rev. Clyde Glazener, a former wildcat quarterback came to give the invocation, he was announced as the quarterback for the 1953 Po-Hi team and Sullins immediately corrected the announcer that it was the team of 1952. The gathering was a happy reunion for teammates and spouses, ranging from 1938 to 1961 era as they gathered to relive some of the victories and memories of Sullins. Among the many standouts present were Tom Caitlin, recently retired Seattle Seahawk coach, class of 1949, and Chuch Bowman, class of 1954, former coach and player and now executive for Fellowship of Christian Athletics. The tribute was organized by these former Wildcats. Sherol Hovis, former student of Sullins and a sports announcer for the Wildcats and OU, eloquent as always, was a masterful master of ceremonies, sprinkling the program with stories and antidotes about the athletics, coaches and the guest of honor.

He christened Sullins as “a man for all-seasons.” Hovis also saluted the late WBBZ Sports announcer Bill Platt, who pioneered play by play sports on the radio for high school sports. On the program in the Allen Robson Field house, player remarks were by Jon Kennedy, Class of 1963, Jim Barnes, Class of 1952 and Lu Clinton, Class of 1955. Those seated at head table included Eddie Sutton. Oklahoma State basketball coach, who would later introduce Nebraska Football Coach Tom Osborne, as the program speaker.

One highlight of the evening was a letter from Billy Vessels, 1952 Headsman trophy winner the letter said in part. “Playing for you in the 1949 high school All-Star football game was one of the most enjoyable and fun times I’ve ever had. It was much like a spring practice preparing for Bud Wilkerson at the University of Oklahoma. The two of you were both were great coaches and gentlemen. “Thank you for what you did for the wonderful people of their children in preparing them for an unknown world.

Thank you for giving the football world Tom Caitlin and Dick Bowman. Thank you for the greatest saying of all ‘other not self.’ I think that saying personifies Earl Sullins. Among those introduced by Hovis in addition to Osborne, Bowman, Sutton, Caitlin, and Glazener seated at the head table were: Mayor Marilyn Andrews, Sen. Norman Lamb, Enid, Dr. Joe Surber, Jim Barnes, Tulsa, CEO of MAPCO, Jon Kennedy, Phillip Briggs, Ike Glass, and Newkirk, new regent for Glass, Newkirk, and new regent for higher education. Other introduces, C.D. Northcutt; members of the Christian Fellowship staff; Leon Cross, OU; Bob Dellinger, former sports writer for Ponca City News; Bill Conner’s, Tulsa World and numerous coaches, athletic directors and players from the University of Oklahoma including Jerry Don Phillips, OSU, and Port Robertson of OU.

All-Americans present were Terry More, John Shelly, Buddy Lee and Bobby Jack. Also introduced was Lu Clinton, who played in the major baseball leagues and later spoke on the program at Allen Robson Field house. Robson, former basketball coach and administrator, whom the field house was named, was also recognized the current Po-Hi coaches. Lynne Draper of the Jim Thorpe Foundation was recognized and in the program that followed, he along with Chuck Bowman presented Coach Sullins with the Jim Thorpe Fellowship of Christian Athletics Award. The current Ponca City Wildcat lettermen and the Po-Hi cheerleaders were on hand for the event. Also recognized for the coordinating the Sullins’ tribute were Keni Ray, former Wildcat Coach, and Jack Shilling, Ponca City Chamber of Commerce. The decorations were by Nancy Spielbush. The wildcat colors were used and one wall of the cafeteria was devoted to memorabilia furnished by Sullins about the teams.