Coach Wes Abrams alumni football reception

On March 6, I had the distinct honor and privilege to attend a gathering of approximately 35 former LWHS football players at the Lake Wales Country Club to recognize and pay tribute to a man we all love and respect very much. His name is Wesley Abrams and for the decade of the ‘60s, he was the Highlander football coach at Lake Wales High School. Those attending the reception hosted by Pat Cain with the assistance of Lee Turnquist were former players from 1960 through 1969 and the same effort and loyalty came through again. Rod Shafer, the current football coach of LWHS was on hand and presented Coach Abrams with a LWHS coach's shirt, hat and heartfelt handshake. All this represents the high regard everyone has for this man. There were some players who were unable to attend but sent their regards – and, of course, some who were no longer with us.

A TV was set up and old game films from different years and teams were running continuously. A special surprise guest was Theron Stangry from our arch rival Haines City High School, showing up to represent his father, Joe Stangry, the coach of the Haines City Hornets, who also happened to be Coach Abrams' good friend. Stangry even brought the game film of the 1960 Highlander and Hornet game. It was interesting and entertaining to watch the games that we were a part of. Most of us remembered almost every call, hit and kick as if it were last week and not 45 years ago.

There was much reminiscing and story-telling and, of course, Coach Wes seemed to remember everyone and had a story to tell about each of us. There were many good athletes present, though time had added a few pounds here and there and a lot was made about how much hair was missing. There were no “I” or “Me” moments … it was about “We”. We were all bound by a common bond that centered around the Coach and the fact that we were all Highlander football players. We got our education in the classrooms of the old brick high school that later burned down, but what we learned from Coach Wes and the other coaches who helped him went far beyond that. He taught us that hard work, dedication and commitment had its rewards. For all of us, it was WINNING! Coach Wes always had winning teams and in 1963 he gave the school an UNDEFEATED SEASON. His quote then was, “Our success was due to the effort the boys gave as a team, not just an individual.” The following year, the 1964 team followed suit and produced another undefeated season. I think this set the standard for what Highlander football has become and is today.

What we learned from our time and experiences with him, though we didn't see it then, as the years have come and gone, we can look back and realize that it was time well spent and it has had an impact on our lives today. Coach Wes was a man we all looked up to then and judging from the turnout at the gathering, we still do. Coach Wes said that of all the honors and allocades he has received, this is the one he will always remember. He was so touched that these boys would come to see him in a personal setting. I think I can speak for all of us who ever played for him when I say, “COACH, THANKS FOR THE FUN TIMES, THANKS FOR THE RIDE AND FOR BELIEVING IN US. IT WAS GREAT. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND … GO HIGHLANDERS!”

Charles Skipper, Class of 1965