LOOKING BACK

 As I sat in W.L. Campbell’s Barber Shop last Friday morning awaiting my turn in Carolyn Simpson’s barber’s chair, a young man came in and took the chair next to me. Waiting his turn. Matthew Cornett told me he was going into the eighth grade and he was wearing an eighth grade football tee shirt.

I ask Matthew if he was excited about playing Eighth grade football for Corbin and his answer was yes, but due to the reciprocal agreement not being in effect between the Knox County School district and the Corbin School district, that he may have to go to Whitley County.

Matthew’s family could choose for him to go to school in the Corbin School District, but they would have to pay tuition.

Why would the Knox County Schools be willing to sign a reciprocal agreement with all other connecting school districts, but not the Corbin School system?

Most parties involved will tell you it is all about money, If that is the case, it should be possible to work a solution between the systems involved and save the thousands of dollars being spent in legal fees.

I will not pretend to know all of the ramifications involved in such transactions involving the particular systems mentioned above, but my personal feelings are that a child should be able to attend the school of their choice.

With a couple of weeks to go before the Redhounds kick off the season at George Rogers Clark in Winchester, the Redhounds have suffered some attrition as three young men have decided to attend school elsewhere, while defensive back Mitchell Frederick suffered a dislocated shoulder in practice. It is not known how long Frederick will be out.

25th Anniversary

Next week this publication of the News Journal will celebrate its 25^th Anniversary under the direction of Publisher Don Estep.

Don knew that at one time I had done extensive research into the athletic program of Corbin High School with the hope of someday publishing a book based on that research.

I was never able to put the finishing touch to work, but Don suggested we do excerpts from it in the News Journal.

So twenty-five years ago I did initiate the first readying of which I entitled the Red Hound Rash.

Next week Don will print that lead into Redhound history as I was able to gather it from people like Dr. Keith Smith, Make Cadle, Alfred Keck, Sam Brasel, Alan Disney and numerous other valuable sources. I hope you will find it interesting and enjoyable reading.

There are so many things to relate to when you delve into the past. The great players, the great coaches, the great games, and yes the great personalities.

There was Garland Burgan whose biggest delight in going to a football game was to walk the sidelines and harass the opposing coach, which on one occasion earned Garland a black eye.

A couple of my favorite personalities were veterans of the US Navy Eddie Poynter and his buddy Harold Gant were loyal Redhound followers.

There was my buddy Willis Campbell,  who always had his lucky Buckeye handy to pull the Redhounds through.

And of course Mr. Redhound, Henry “Buddy” Martin.