Generations of School Spirit
Friday night lights shine bright for these eight local families, many of which have never missed a home football game for their high school. Read on to learn about how these families cheer on their favorite team, get into the school spirit, and make lasting memories on and off the field.
By Kristen Dee / Photography by Rich Smith
Bill Cox became a Red Raiders fan after joining Baylor School as a teacher in the fall of 1981, and his wife Beth became a fan in the ‘70s, when her father began teaching at the school. Bill and Beth met at Baylor and eventually married and had their children, Elizabeth and Allen, who both work at the school, and together, the family – along with Elizabeth and Allen’s spouses and children – attend all Baylor home football games.
The family has a special connection cheering on the football team, as many of the players are former or current students that they have taught over the years. “The school means everything to our family, since it brought Beth and I together,” says Bill. “I cheer on many of the players since I’ve had them in my classes. Elizabeth has also taught many of the football players. Allen was a student manager, and has been the head athletic equipment manager for the past 12 years.”
While the Cox family is a fixture on the sidelines for both home and away games, they also enjoy supporting behind the scenes. “Beth has taken care of sewing needs for the team for about 15 years, and I occasionally help keep statistics,” says Bill. Another favorite tradition is Beth’s Amish friendship bread, a homemade cinnamon bread she makes for the coaches and players to enjoy after home games. Together they enjoy the spirit of community at the games, as well as getting to interact with alumni. “We enjoy the atmosphere and cheering for Baylor. It builds school spirit and brings the Baylor community together,” Bill says. “It brings about teamwork and working toward a common goal.”
After 44 years of teaching, mentoring, coaching, and supporting, Bill has recently retired from Baylor, but he and his family plan to continue to support the school and football team. He says, “Our family has lived all or most of our lives supporting Baylor School, and it means a lot to us since both of our children are working at Baylor. We will continue to be fans in the crowd and support our Baylor Red Raiders.”
For high school sweethearts Crystal and Corey Emery, football is a family affair. Crystal was a cheerleader at Red Bank from 2003-2007, Corey played football from 2004-2008, and Corey’s parents are also Red Bank alumni and high school sweethearts. After graduation, Crystal and Corey continued attending games to support Corey’s brother Murphy, as well as other friends they had made along the way. Now, the family enjoys rooting for the next generation of Lions as their son takes the field as a football player and one of their daughters roots for the team as a cheerleader. “It is a community,” shares Crystal. “You build lasting friendships and see the kids develop and do amazing things.”
In addition to cheering from the stands, the Emerys have become more involved with the teams over time. Crystal helps fundraise for the cheer team, Corey assists with field work in the summer, and Corey’s mom looks forward to making desserts for pre-game, like when Corey and Murphy played. Together they attend games as often as possible, saying, “We love the atmosphere and the people. There is so much energy, and I love seeing people we went to school with and how their families have grown. However, nothing beats our kids being an active part of it now.”
As their children take the field, Crystal and Corey get to reminisce on their own high school memories and cherish making new ones with their family. Each time they enter the stadium, Corey touches the lion statue for good luck, a tradition dating back to his own high school football days. Crystal still sports her husband’s old jersey, and their youngest daughter wears a Red Bank cheerleading uniform to the games.
Every fall, the family anticipates the familiar sights and sounds of the season. “We look forward to the band playing, the cool weather, everyone in their blue cheering on the Lions, and hearing the roar from the stands when a big play is made,” says Crystal. “It’s a contagious atmosphere, it’s loud and entertaining.”
Silverdale, for us, means inherent community, connection, and support in our faith,” says Vikki Ledbetter. She and her family began regularly attending Silverdale’s football games after husband Jake became a P.E. teacher at the school and began working as the team’s offensive coordinator, and they are now fixtures in the Seahawks’ bleachers.
Often, the pre-game rituals are just as important as attending the game itself. On Thursday evenings before home games, the Ledbetters host some of the players for dinner at their home, giving their family the opportunity to get to know the players outside of football. Once it’s game day, you can feel the energy shift at the school. “Fridays become ‘a thing’ for the whole school,” says Vikki. “From players greeting the younger students in car line, to biscuits with the team, and everyone wearing SBA gear, there’s a unity that makes it fun and special.” By game time, the excitement is palpable. “My favorite thing is seeing how much our kids enjoy the environment and community. Teachers, team members, the band, cheerleaders, coaches … they all become an extension of our norm,” she says.
Sports are often a great common denominator, encouraging disciplined mindsets for the players and allowing fans to connect over a shared goal. For Vikki, football is bigger than just wins and losses. “Football creates healthy competition that builds character, while rallying people from all different backgrounds and situations around a single team in a really unique way. For Silverdale specifically, it’s a way to invest in and spiritually mentor students,” she shares.
The family rarely misses a game, with daughters Allie and Charlotte in tow as “cheerleaders,” and Jake’s parents, Tim and Robin. While watching the team, the family enjoys getting popcorn and Ring Pops at the concession stand and chatting with the people who keep the operation running smoothly. “The best thing about the concession stands are the volunteers,” Vikki says. “The ladies who routinely serve back there are hilarious, friendly, and have a good time while also doing a great job!” This season, the Ledbetters will continue to show up and show out for their Seahawks.
The Hicks/Bender family has been been attending Cleveland High School football games since 1968. Between playing football, cheerleading, announcing the games, and working at the school, the family’s love for Cleveland has only grown over the years, now on their fourth generation of attendees.
“Friday night football games have been a tradition in our family forever,” says Kellye, former CHS cheerleader and member of the Cleveland High School Alumni Hall of Fame. “We have the opportunity to gather as a family and support our school. We have grown up being ‘True Blue,’ and love what the rich traditions of CHS represent.” Growing up, her brother played football from 1973-1975, she cheered from 1974-1976, and her father broadcasted the games as “The Voice of the Raiders” from 1974-2004. Her daughters, son-in-law, nephew, and niece also attended Cleveland, and her great niece Brooklynn is currently a cheerleader.
Now, Kellye and her husband Andy attend all home and away games, often joined by family and friends.
“We continue to support Cleveland High because of the connections with past and current players and their families. We have over 20 extended family members that gather under the lights at Benny Monroe Stadium on Friday nights,” she proudly shares. Together, their family enjoy seeing former classmates and community members, watching the band, cheerleaders, and dance team, and singing the Alma Mater at the end of the third quarter.
Kellye believes in the power of supporting the student athletes, saying, “All the athletic teams at Cleveland High School are important. Student athletes work so hard to not only develop their athletic abilities but also character. The teams may not always win, but we celebrate our athletes for who they are, what they represent, and how they give back to our community and Cleveland High School.”
When asked what she looks forward to the most when football season comes around, Kellye immediately says, “Everything!” This year with Brooklynn on the cheer team, there is even more to look forward to as they root for the Blue Raiders.
Whether she’s cheering on one of her children or one of her choir students, you can find Jennifer Hamilton and her family rooting for the Generals on Friday nights. “Heritage High School is very important because it is our community,” she says. “I love teaching my students at Heritage. Our family invests a lot of time here, and it’s nice to see the students not only excel in academics but also on the field.”
Often, Jennifer, her husband Lance, and their family are cheering on one of their own – son Brandon played football, daughter Caroline was on the dance team, daughter Ashley is a rising senior cheerleader, and daughter Katie is a rising freshman on the dance team. Jennifer believes that being part of a team is a valuable lesson, sharing, “All young people need to be part of something bigger than themselves. It helps them learn valuable lessons about the benefit of hard work and cooperation that transfer into all aspects of their lives.”
From watching performances from the band, dance, and cheer teams at pep rallies, to tailgating on the band practice field, to the post-game fireworks and Alma Mater performance, Jennifer cherishes the traditions and memories. “My favorite part about going to the games is sitting with our friends, watching our girls cheer and dance, cheering for the football team, and seeing the band perform. Many of my choir students have been members of the football team, dance team, cheerleaders, the color guard, and the band, and I enjoy supporting them,” she says.
Jennifer and her family have also made many special memories along the way, like sitting with a player’s family as he intercepted the ball and scored a touchdown, and even getting to play alongside her son for the day. “I loved participating in Heritage Moms Camp with Brandon before his senior year. He and I spent time together that day doing workouts and running plays on the field. It was so much fun,” she says. This year, the Hamiltons will continue to support the Generals while watching Ashley cheer and Katie dance on the sidelines.
Boyd-Buchanan never leaves you,” says Shelia Smith. “The bond and personal growth stay with you all your life, and carry you through the difficult stages.” Together she and husband Randy enjoyed watching their son Davey (’01) play football at Boyd-Buchanan, where he earned All-State honors and was a Tennessee Mr. Football Finalist for Lineman of the Year. Since then, they have become more involved with the team and are proud to attend every game.
The Smiths have a large presence at the football games, with almost everyone in their family involved. Shelia and Randy’s daughter, Christi, is known for bringing homemade treats to share, such as her famous smoked Chex Mix. Christi’s talents in the kitchen also extend to noisemaking – she’s often seen passing out milk bottles filled with rocks for fans to shake during the game.
When she’s not distracting the other team, Christi is on the football fundraising committee for Fund the Future, an effort also supported by the other family members. Christi’s husband Chris is a spotter and broadcast
assistant during the games, with Randy providing play-by-play for radio and livestream coverage. Davey, his wife Alison, and their son Boone, currently playing football in middle school, cheer on their son Coleman, a tight end, and Alison also serves as a team mom. The rest of the grandchildren, DellaMae Perry, a cheerleader, CoraLee Perry, a volleyball and softball player, and Mattingly Smith, are typically in attendance as well.
For their family, supporting the team is bigger than just a sport. “In general, football teaches life lessons like perseverance, collaboration, and dedication to a common goal. It’s important to encourage participation in extracurricular activities, so that participants know this is a big deal and their hard work doesn’t go unnoticed,” says Shelia.
With several grandkids inching closer to high school years, you can count on the Smiths to continue their perfect attendance streak. Shelia shares, “What you gain at Boyd never leaves you, and that is priceless as they face the challenges of being an adult. We gain so much more than we give to be part of this school.”
Friday nights do not happen by accident,” says Callie Burns, a science teacher and dorm head at McCallie School. “It takes intentionality and sacrifice to make these nights happen.” She goes on to explain the team effort of a Friday night McCallie football game – coaches and players prepping for hours, parents working volunteer roles, security managing traffic, trainers treating injuries, students cheering their hearts out, and more. This sense of community is what Callie looks forward to most when football season rolls around. She says, “Everyone is wearing blue and cheering for the same thing – the boys in blue.”
Going to McCallie football games was a constant in Callie’s childhood, after her father, Kenny, began to work at McCallie in the mid ‘80s as a teacher, baseball coach, and football coach – and still coaches today. “We never missed a game growing up,” she recalls. “Both of my brothers played football in the early 2000s, and were a part of the 2001 state championship team. McCallie is where I was raised, and it is now where I am raising my family. It’s a place and family tradition that holds a lifetime’s worth of precious and cherished memories.”
These memories continue to be made as Callie and her husband raise their twin boys and bring them to games. “One of my favorite things is watching my boys’ faces as some of their favorite boys make a tackle or score a touchdown,” she shares. “After the games, they run out onto the field to find their favorite coach (their granddad) and their favorite players. They get the biggest and sweetest hugs from them!”
As a member of the campus’ dorm staff, Callie often gets to know students off the field, making supporting them on game day even more exciting. “The boys in the dorm truly become part of your family, and you want to support them in all the things they do,” she shares. “Now my husband and my twin 6-year-old boys can’t wait for Friday nights in the fall to support our favorite boys and coach in blue.”
There is nothing like Friday night football,” says Erin Campbell, long-time supporter of the Notre Dame High School Fighting Irish. Erin’s husband, Bo, is the team’s defensive coordinator, while their son Cooper leads the offense as starting quarterback. Their daughter Kenzie (’22) played basketball and soccer while at Notre Dame.
For Erin, who has never missed a game, football feels like a way of life. She shares, “My dad was a football coach. My husband played at Tennessee. Kenzie and Cooper were fixtures on the sidelines as kids. We don’t really know life without football. If it was easy, everyone would do it. That’s why we support the ones working so hard and making sacrifices to play for their school.”
In addition to cheering on her son and husband, Erin is also one of the team photographers. Decked out in her green and gold Irish gear, you can typically find her with a camera in hand on the sidelines. “I’m a nervous Nelly,” she laughs. “I always have a camera in my hand and usually walk the field to take pictures to contain my nervousness and excitement. I love to capture moments for players and families to treasure forever.”
While Erin is very proud of the accomplishments that happen on the field, she recognizes the opportunities and traditions rooted in the spirit of Notre Dame, saying, “Notre Dame is the oldest private school in Chattanooga. My son’s class will be the 150th class at Notre Dame.
It has been the best school for both of our kids, building an academic and athletic foundation centered around our Catholic faith.”
Erin and her family are feeling optimistic headed into the upcoming season, with the addition of head coach Brent Hill last year. Erin says, “Coach Hill and his family have made an immediate impact at Notre Dame and on the football program. Notre Dame is headed in the right direction under his guidance.” However the season plays out, you can bet Erin and her family will be on the sidelines.