Greyhounds back on gridiron to add memories, raise money
NEWPORT — For some athletes, it’s hard to forget their glory days of playing high school football. In Newport, where football is king, some players return home each year to participate in the annual alumni game, thanks to former player Robert Kendall and former cheerleader Audra Hinkle Lovelady.
“I still remember receiving a call from Audra asking me what I thought about an alumni game,” said Kendall, a Greyhound who graduated from Newport High School in 1997. “So I told her, ‘Let’s put the word out on Facebook and see what kind of response we get.’ Once the word was out, there was a lot of interest, so we moved forward, and it’s been getting bigger each year. This is our third year to have it, but we exceeded 50 players and had to cut it off there so everyone would get playing time.”
The alumni game has grown into a successful fundraising event for Newport’s student-athletes, with all proceeds going to the Newport Booster Club. Kendall and Lovelady said the event would not have been possible if not for the generosity of Newport Superintendent Larry Bennett, who approved the game in 2013. Over the past three years, the alumni have purchased $525 in ticket sales and have donated an additional $600 for student athletic programs.
The event began with about 35 players and has grown to more than 50 players. Each player pays a registration fee of $25, which covers the jersey fee, a ticket into the game and an alumni donation. The jersey has “Alumni” printed across the front, and the players get the opportunity to pick the same number they had when they played at Newport.
“When Robert and I began to plan the event, I called coach [Bill] Keedy for his advice,” Lovelady said. “He said, ‘We need events like this, so sign me up.’ This is going to be groovy!”
Lovelady said Keedy attended the event and visited with former players and relived some legendary Greyhound moments. Coach Keedy, along with former assistants Kenny Black and Herbert Lewis, all participated in the event the first two years. Coach Black and Coach Lewis attended the 2015 game to support the players. The jerseys this year were all printed with “Keedy” on the sleeve in honor of the legendary coach, who died Sept. 26. Lovelady said event organizers will continue this tradition moving forward.
This year’s roster spanned 36 years of Greyhounds, with the class of 1979 being the oldest class represented. Former players traveled from surrounding states and even included a former NFL player, Julius Pruitt from the class of 2004. Pruitt played college ball at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia and most recently played for the Miami Dolphins.
“We decided to cut the limit to 50 players. That way, everyone would have the opportunity to play,” Kendall said. “Not everyone wants to play. Some players just want to coach, and others want to officiate the game. I think the one thing that makes this game special is the fact that so many former players want to be a part of it in any way they can.”
This year’s game included 37 of the 53 players who played in the 2014 game. The 2015 game, held Oct. 16, was sponsored by Roderick Robinson and Sky Cap Solutions. Roderick is a member of the class of 2007 and a cousin of this year’s alumni tribute recipient, Renard Robinson of the class of 1996. The other tribute was to Coach Keedy of the class of 1963. Both families were presented with a jersey and a game ball signed by the players. Next year’s recipient will be the family of Roy Thomas of the class of 1989.