Rebuilding the Tradition

The Restoration of Bill Allen Field

Paschal High School Athletic Complex

The Tradition

Since its establishment in 1885 as Fort Worth High School, Paschal has had an incredible history and tradition. One of the many great aspects of the school has been the football program, which began its dynasty in 1913 with its first perfect season. The team was named North Texas Champions in 1918. In 1935, the school was renamed R.L. Paschal High School, after its popular long time principal, and moved to the current location in 1955. During the 1950’s and 1960’s the team enjoyed phenomenal success with numerous winning seasons and district championships. The Panthers made it to the State semifinals in 1960. From those early years came the spirit of dedication, commitment and team work that become known as “Panther Pride.”

The Legend

While the Paschal football team enjoyed success during the early years, it took a very special man to take the team to the next level…a man who became a Paschal legend…Coach Bill Allen.

Coach Allen came to Paschal High School in 1945. During his 23 year tenure as the head football coach, Coach Allen continued the winning tradition. With his soft spoken but determined style he taught the young men to reach for the prize, to expect the most from themselves and their teammates.

Panther Football Championships 1945-1968

10 District or Co-District Championships

3 Bi-District Championships

3 Quarter Final Championships

His love for youth was evident on and off the field and was exemplified in the Blue Mountain Ranch youth camp in Florissant, Colorado that he ran during the summer. Coach Allen ended his career with Paschal with a record of 157 wins, 89 losses and 8 ties. But even greater than that, he made a permanent impact on the lives of hundreds of young athletes who have gone on to use the principles he taught to be successful in other areas.

Bill Allen Field

In 1992 the Paschal Alumni Association provided the funding to build a sign for the football field and dedicated the practice field as Bill Allen Field. The field has been maintained by the FWISD and has been re-sodded several times. However, because it is the only athletic field the school has, it receives a tremendous amount of wear and tear. As a result, the field does not have the chance to repair itself and thus, becomes very hard during dry seasons and very muddy during rainy seasons.

The field is used primarily for football, track, and soccer. JV and freshmen football games are played at the field as well as McLean Middle School football games. On evenings and weekends the field is used for pee-wee football and community soccer games. The constant use results in a hard, rutty surface that poses extra challenges to players.

The New Bill Allen Field

Many schools have found that an artificial turf field provides the most effective and economical surface. In addition to providing a great sense of pride, these fields offer a long-lasting, low maintenance surface that is much safer than natural dirt.

The benefits of this project are numerous and include:

• The new field will create a renewed enthusiasm for the football and soccer programs which are a great source of school spirit and pride

• The field and the image it represents will help to attract athletes to Paschal who might otherwise opt to attend another school.

• The artificial field will be easier and less costly to maintain

• The field will provide the football, soccer, and band the opportunity to practice in contest-like conditions

Paschal is one of the few 5A schools that does not have an artificial practice turf. Arlington Heights has an indoor practice field that was funded and dedicated by an alumnus. Some of the area high schools that have already installed fields with artificial turf include:

Abilene High School *	Fort Worth Country Day
Aledo High School	Joshua High School
Arlington Martin	Haltom High School
Birdville High School	Kennedale High School
Burleson High School *	LD Bell High School
Colleyville Heritage High School	Mansfield Summit High School
Crowley High School	Mansfield Timberview High School
De Soto High School	North Crowley High School *
Duncanville High School	Richland High School *
Everman High School	Trinity High School
Fossil Ridge High School	Weatherford High School *
* District 3

Although the City of Fort Worth recently voted in favor of the school bond program, those funds will be used to update and repair existing school facilities and add additional classrooms. While there are no funds available from the FWISD to construct a field for each Fort Worth High School, the Paschal Booster Club has obtained approval from the FWISD to move forward with a campaign to raise the funds for a new field at Paschal.

The Challenge

The Paschal Booster Club has embarked upon an aggressive goal to raise $1,000,000 to revitalize Bill Allen Field and expand the athletic complex. The field will cost approximately $800,000 and the balance will be used to construct a wrought iron fence around the field and to provide a capital fund for other small athletic projects.

While the FWISD does not have funding available to assist in the development of the field, they will agree to maintain the field once it is installed. Funding for the cost of the field will be collected from the following sources:

• Paschal Parent Contributions
• Donations from Foundations
• Booster Club Fund Raisers
• Donations from Alumni
• Donations from Other Supporters

Our goal is to have the money raised by May 15, 2008 and begin construction on June 1, 2008 in time for the 2008 season.

Continuing the Tradition

Last year Paschal High School hired Matt Cook as the new Head Coach. Coach Cook and his staff have one goal... to bring Paschal back to winning traditions instilled by Coach Bill Allen.

Like Coach Allen, the current coaches are emphasizing the need to win on and off the field. They place a priority on academic success as well as requiring dedication, desire and a commitment to teamwork. The boys wear ties on game day and are expected to be leaders and act in a manner worthy of their Paschal heritage. The new field will help to promote the spirit of Panther Pride and renew the spirit of Bill Allen on the field that bears his name.

How You Can Help

The Paschal Booster Club is respectfully asking alumni to consider investing in this project to help revitalize the sense of pride in Paschal High School. All donations are tax deductible and can be make directly to the Paschal Booster Club. Please complete the form attached and mail to the address provided.

The Paschal Booster Club has designated additional funds for a monument to be erected at the field to recognize those who make contributions of $1,000 or more.

Panther Club $1,000 - $2,499

White Club $2,500 - $4,999

Purple Club $5,000 - $10,000

Gold Club $10,000 +

Special naming rights and permanent signage can also be available for larger gifts.

For more information on the field please visit our web site at www.paschalfootball.com or contact Jim Sager at 817-832-2841.

Bill Allen Field

Rebuilding the Tradition