What is a Buccaneer? One man’s perspective, or it might be better stated, one man’s experience.It started with now faint memories of standing with my Dad on the home side of Maverick field (at that time the east side of the field) watching the Bucs play and the noise and smell of the National Guard Armory where the basketball court was located until around 1971.Because of my dad’s relationship with former Buccaneer Harold Piper (check out the All Star Showcase in the entryway of the Event Center) he went from a Buccaneer Coach to College instructor/coach at NOC. Threlkeld Hall became little brother and current Buccaneer football coach Mike Kirtley’s and my home. That was the start of a wonderful mix of THS and NOC memories.I met many of my future HS friends who along with me came to be known as “faculty brats” due to Dr. Edwin Vineyard’s policy of NOC faculty members enrolling their children in the Tonkawa School system. Many of those “brats” are still dear friends to this day. I was also exposed to several college and HS coaches and their families due to dad’s position at the college. My brothers, sister and I were richly blessed by the Coaches we were exposed to from grade school years through our time at THS. During that time I can honestly say that there wasn’t one coach that didn’t enrich my life in some way. Some of the most important men of my life. Men of good character.I can remember my brother Mike and I hearing stories of the 52 & 53 Buccaneer teams and wondering what it would be like to be on a team like that. They set the standard for Buc Football that is still strived for today. A salute to them and all the great Buc teams throughout our rich history. Coach Steve Loves teams including the 99 & 2000 State Champions followed by current Head Coach Mike Kirtley’s run of State Championship appearances in 03, 04, 05, 09, & 2018, taking the Gold Ball three times.I will be in trouble for mentioning this but as a proud big brother I’m going to. Coach Kirtley’s next win will be #180 in his head coaching career.They will both tell you they are proud members of the Jim Minor coaching tree along with David Ellis and so many others. Is there any doubt that Tonkawa has ...
