Friday night’s dramatic come from behind football victory was not the first nor will it be the last enjoyed by Mansfield's most recent honorary team captain.
Mrs. Sue Ward has witnessed many such contests over her 49 year teaching career at Mansfield High School. This however, was her first donning the digs of the team’s honorary captain.
Last week’s nailbiter between the home town Mansfield Tigers and the visiting Lavaca Golden Arrows was indeed one for the ages. Junior Cole Kindle connected with birthday boy Peyton Martin in the fourth quarter to secure a pivotal conference matchup 21 - 20 in favor of the Tigers.
What was unique from the start was that Mansfield head coach Tim Cothran and athletic director John Mackey asked Ward to be a part of the show. The two men have headed a committee that’s invited notable Mansfield patrons to walk with the traditional coin captains each home contest this season. This past week, it was Ward’s turn to be so honored.
Signifying her 49 consecutive years of service to MHS before her retirement last May, Ward sported a number 49 captain’s shirt.
Typically asked to stop at the hash mark as the true team captains move to midfield, this most recent honorary captain was allowed by the “white hat” official to proceed all the way to the coin toss area. In fact, Ward was allowed to flip the ceremonial coin.
Perhaps a hint of good luck, Mansfield won the coin flip. After that, Ward enjoyed the rest of the marquee matchup from the stadium rim among family and friends that came to celebrate her moment under the lights.
Ward was recognized in the pre-game announcements as not only a Mansfield graduate but also one of the first women’s basketball players at Arkansas Tech University. She spent two years after that working in Washington D.C. for the FBI. From there she returned to Fayetteville, Arkansas and earned her bachelor’s degree in Home Economics at the University of Arkansas.
Beginning a teaching career after college graduation, Ward taught Home Economics, sponsored the award winning FCCLA membership at Mansfield, and served as the school’s varsity cheer coach for 10 years. During all that time, this was the first time she walked onto a football field as a captain of the team.
To date this season, Mansfield has invited little league football coaches Steven Moore and David Moore as honorary captains. 2020 T. Franklin Boyd award winners Layton Howard and Maggie Strunk joined the list of dignitaries. “Concrete guy” Butch Martin has also made the list.
Mansfield will announce its last honorary captain of the 2022 season on November 4 when the Hackett Hornets come to town on senior night.
Additional settings for Safari Browser.
