John Shearer: Remembering 1963 Beginning Of Kirkman’s Hawk Hill As A Sports Venue

The recently unveiled schematic drawings of possible housing, retail and public spaces on Hawk Hill where AT&T Field currently is show an area designed to be a popular draw in the downtown Chattanooga of the future.

Many at the special program Friday applauded the plans as if they were cheering on the Lookouts or an exciting baseball play, but Chattanoogans have been showing their approval about what is in front of them on that hill since 1963.

That was the year that Kirkman Technical High – the city system’s vocational school with now-razed buildings just down the hill to the east – opened its new football stadium. And it did it with a fine showing from the Kirkman football team in a victory on opening night.

The birth of the Hawk Hill athletic grounds had come at the death and expense of a once-popular residential area in what at the time was considered a controversial move. As land was cleared above the school and on Cameron Hill for both the freeway and Olgiati Bridge as part of the construction of the nation’s interstate system, elevated space was available for school athletic fields.

As a result, with plans drawn by Shepherd and Smith architects, a grandstand and field constructed by Collins and Hobbs contractors was built before the 1963 season, when Kirkman was fielding its first varsity football team.

Old newspaper clippings found at the Chattanooga Public Library show crews getting the grandstand and field ready just days before the season was to kick off that September. The home grandstand was back near where the leftfield home run wall is today, while a baseball field was to be closer to Fourth Street on the south end.

An early article also said a track was to run around the football stadium, but a smaller-than-regulation track ended up being built down closer to Fourth Street behind the current Children’s Discovery Museum and was visible to passing motorists for decades.

When the Golden Hawks had their first game at the new stadium on Sept. 13, 1963, they gave a shining performance that reflected all the newness. After opening the season the week before with a 47-0 road victory over Knoxville Catholic, Kirkman under coach Bobby Scott easily beat Polk County, 34-0.

The home fans had plenty to cheer about with a three-yard run by Jim Bolt, a fumble recovery in the endzone by Dwight Pritchett following a punt blocked by Mr. Bolt, a 25-yard dash by quarterback Gary Harley, and a 30-yard score by Danny Jordan.

But the most electrifying play was a 95-yard kickoff return to open the second half by junior Bobby Walker, who weighed all of 125 pounds. The play was set up by some good blocking by his teammates.

The writeup said the stars on defense besides Mr. Patterson and Mr. Pritchett included John Kirby, Steve Beavers, and captain Danny Gray, who made a spectacular interception in the second quarter.

Even alternate captain Jimmy Perrin, who was unable to play in the game due to a broken collarbone, helped spot the opponents from the press box.

Also standing out for the roughly 2,000 fans in attendance was the new concrete stadium itself. And as was the case Friday when officials pointed out the great views that a redeveloped Hawk Hill would offer, the setting in 1963 was also praised.

Ray Deering, who was covering the game for the Chattanooga Times but would go on to be a teacher and administrator at Baylor School and at the Hammond School in South Carolina, wrote a praising review not only of the Kirkman team but also the stadium.

“The new stadium, anchored by the streamlined downtown freeway, provided fans with a breathtaking view of a quiet city at night,” said Mr. Deering, who later became a contributing sports columnist for the Times Free Press in his retirement. “The multi-colored neon signs – brilliantly glowing from staggered buildings – became a magnificent backdrop for the football stage.”

The first Kirkman game at the new stadium evidently proved to be an overall great night, with athletic director Ernie Lewis having the field and stadium ready to go, while Kirkman’s also-developing band under Ralph Miller played peppy marches from the stands, according to Mr. Deering. The principal at the time was Jack Carr.

Unfortunately, the bubble burst slightly for Kirkman the next Friday night, Sept. 20, even if the enthusiasm for the new stadium did not stop. In what was described by Times sports writer Eddie Davidson as an overflow crowd of 3,000, City under coach Rudy Rohrdanz won easily, 31-6, despite an opening kickoff return for a touchdown by Golden Hawk player Danny Gray.

Star Dynamo halfback Gordon Whaley, who was said by Mr. Davidson to be “Mercury footed,” was evidently too much for the fledgling Kirkman team with multiple touchdown dashes.

Although rarely near the top, Kirkman would go on to have some competitive teams over the next few years on Hawk Hill before the school’s closing in 1991. Future coaches included Carey Henley and Angelo Napolitano, both former University of Chattanooga football standouts.

The 1976 team under coach Napolitano would have a Cinderella run on Hawk Hill and enjoy an undefeated regular season, while the team would later fall on hard times football wise. The latter was highlighted by a long losing streak before a memorable win over Taft Youth Center under successful future Tyner coach Wayne Turner.

Other teams without their own stadiums, like City High and Notre Dame, would also play there some as the home team over the years, and junior high jamborees and other activities were also there.

Like with the future plans for the site after the Lookouts vacate their stadium and it is torn down, Hawk Hill has always drawn plenty of attention and people from its commanding location.

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Jcshearer2@comcast.net