Get to know Tony Travis, Pea Ridge Athletic Director
Born in: Oakland, Calif. Hometown: Booneville, Ark. Wife: Shannan (16 years) Children: Jake, age 14 Coaching career: Football coach for 20 years, Fayetteville School District (10), Pea Ridge (7), Rogers Heritage (3) First Earliest seventh football grade practice memory: in 1983. Scared to death.
When you knew you wanted to be a coach: When I started volunteer coaching at Ramay Junior High (then the INDIANS) in Fayetteville for head coach Ric Davies, spring 1999.
Favorite food: Lasagna Favorite musical group:
Eagles
Favorite movie: Jaws (this is 45-year anniversary!) Favorite vacation spot: Disney World If you could be anyone for a day, it would be: Wouldn’t trade with anyone!
Most memorable games you played or coached in (or
both): As a player, 1986 quarterfinal game vs. Junction City, 6-0 win, propelled us to first state title in school history at Booneville. Also 1992 Arkansas Razorback victory over No. 4 ranked and undefeated Tennessee at Neyland Stadium.
As a coach, 2007 win in the 7A state championship game over Har-Ber when I was an assistant at Fayetteville. Was a revenge match at War Memorial, they had beaten us by 1 in the regular season.
2014 win over Shiloh Christian at home here at Pea Ridge to finish 10-0. The Saints had took it to us (and everyone else in our conference) for many years. It was a huge moment to watch our players be on the winning end of that game! Got in the indoor after the game and pulled my phone out, had over 60 texts and calls congratulating us on the W. Still hear stories from other coaches about the score being announced in their stadiums that night and both sides cheering.
2015 comeback win at Shiloh that started a playoff run to the semifinals (including huge wins over Pulaski Robinson and CAC).
2012 wins over Ozark (eventual state runner-up) and playoff game win over Monticello, which was an awesome atmosphere in the last season at old Blackhawk Stadium.
Best part of working in Pea Ridge: Community support for the students and the programs they represent. Reminds me of my hometown, good people that you can count on.
Favorite quote: “It’s amazing what we can accomplish when no one cares who gets the credit,” 33rd President of the United States, Harry S. Truman And “Make Pea Ridge Proud!”