BPS Heritage Committee Seeks Trophies

November, 2004

The new field house at Bartlesville High School will feature display cases for state trophies and other memorabilia from College High, Sooner High, Douglass High as well as Bartlesville High School. "This is so exciting, to have memorabilia from Col High and Sooner housed together at Bartlesville High School," said Marta Manning, Vice President of the Bartlesville School Board. "It will be a way to honor the excellent athletes we have had attend Bartlesville schools throughout the years. It will be a source of pride for the entire community."

However, accomplishing this goal may be easier said than done. When the two high schools were combined into one school in 1982, several trophies and awards were given to community members who wanted them and no official records were made. As a result, it is not known where many trophies are now located. Now the newly formed Athletic Heritage Committee is asking for trophies to be returned so they may be displayed appropriately in the new Fieldhouse. Please contact the Bruin Athletic Office, 337-0153, if you have any questions or items you would be willing to donate or know where other trophies may be located.

"I wish we could have done it sooner," said Tink Patterson, retired Athletic Director, Bartlesville Public Schools. "The reason we haven't been able to is a lack of space, and now with the new Fieldhouse that problem is solved. It's been a long time coming."

The Heritage Committee is hoping to locate all of the athletic state championship and state runner-up trophies to be displayed. One important trophy has already been returned to the school. At right is the 1967 Col-High basketball team and above is the state basketball championship trophy it earned. The trophy was located by Don Brisbin, a 1954 College High graduate and assistant to the Bruin Girls' Fast Pitch Softball team. "Sid Burton was the coach of the 1967 state championship team, and years ago someone gave him the trophy," Brisbin said. "I made contact with him and asked if he would donate the trophy back to the school for display and he agreed."

Another state championship trophy that has been located is the 1955 State Football Championship won by Douglass High School. "The players on the '55 team have been rotating the trophy among teammates," Brisbin said. "Right now it's in California, but the former players have agreed to display it at the new Fieldhouse with a team picture."

In addition to trophies, other school memorabilia unique to the individual high schools is also sought including uniforms, mascots, letterman jackets or any item that could be displayed. The committee is interested in preserving the rich athletic heritage of Bartlesville Public Schools. Tradition is very important for a school district to maintain.

"It's been difficult to go back to the high school and not have anything to identify with," Brisbin said, "people are excited about this, everyone I've talked to wants to do it to bring back the legacy of all Bartlesville's athletes."

The Heritage committee is chaired by long-time coach and teacher Carol Green. Other committee members include: Tom Wheeler, Tink Patterson, Julie Daniels, Dr. Gary W. Quinn, Marta Manning, Jim Hess, Danny Keleher, Jr., Stan Baughn, Christina Hoskin, and Don Brisbin.