Judson R. Avey was
born at Clinton, Arkansas on April 19, 1935 to Mr. and Mrs. Melvin R.
Avey. He attended Clinton City Schools and graduated from Clinton High
School in 1953. In his Junior and Senior years, he was selected for All
State. He then entered Kilgore Junior College in 1953 for one semester,
then transferred to Arkansas State Teachers College in 1954. While
there, he was named to the Arkansas Interscholastic Conference. In 1957,
he graduated with a B.S.E. Degree and in 1963 received an M.S.E. from
the same college. He then coached Varsity Basketball and Junior High
Football at Paragould for two years, then taught at Sanders in 1959
where he also coached football and baseball. In 1960 he came to Window
Rock High School as Varsity Baseball and Assistant Football Coach; then
served as Varsity Football coach for two years.
He was married to Jane
Myers Avey; they had two boys, Judson Jr. and Jay. Jud Avey met his
untimely death in a freak tractor accident in July 1964. Just previous
to that, he and Fermin Echeverria and Bill Speicher had made plans to
start a Quarterback Club. Therefore, in the fall of 1964, two groups
were formed. The men called themselves the Quarterback Club and the
women's auxiliary group went by the name of Side Line Coaches.
On August 31, 1964,
the Side Line Coaches had an organizational dinner meeting at the Window
Rock Recreation Hall; there were 43 women present. Officers were elected
at this time. It is unknown when the Quarterback Club first met and how
many were present--we do recall that there were more women in the Side
Line Coaches Club, however.
On November 18, 1964
the executive committees of both clubs met at the home of Bill Speicher;
initial plans were made for both clubs to merge. Then on February 1,
1965, a general meeting was held at the Fort Defiance Subagency
Conference Room; it was decided that both clubs would merge and the club
would be known as the WINDOW ROCK HIGH SCHOOL BOOSTER CLUB. A proposed
constitution was discussed and it was decided that officers of both
groups would be members of the Executive Board. Ruth Jones, Treasurer of
the Sideline Coaches, resigned her position as she felt that two
Treasurers were not needed.
The first Annual
Judson Avey Sportsmanship Award Banquet was held on December 7, 1964;
Vernon Cohoe was the recipient. Each year since, a memorial
sportsmanship award has been given to a varsity football player; it is
called the Judson Avey Sportsmanship Award. Each recipient of the award
has his name inscribed on the large trophy maintained in the troph5 case
at the High School Field House; a smaller individual trophy is giver to
the individual recipient. The points that a player is graded on are as
follows: (Note: The Booster Club would like this award to go to a Senior
whenever possible. The award will in no way hinge on the boys ability to
play football.)
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Attends practice
sessions when at all possible.
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Follows instructions
to the best of his ability.
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Displays proper
respect for the coaching staff, managers and trainers.
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Proper care and
respect for his equipment.
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Is aware of the
definition of the word "Team".
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Is a good loser
without taking the loss too lightly.
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Is a gracious
winner.
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Sparks his team at
practice, in a game, or from the bench.
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Supports his team
and its players even away from the football field.
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Uses self control
with the opposition, referees and team mates.
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On out of town
trips, is a credit to his team, his school, hi coaches and his
parents.
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Ability to accept
criticism.
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Is not a quitter
regardless of provocation.
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Observes training
rules to the best of the coaches knowledge.
During the first years, these were some of the activities that were
under taken by the newly formed Booster Club:
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Homecoming dance was
sponsored.
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First participation
of club in Homecoming Parade.
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Sweatshirts were
purchased for resale to club members.
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First Awards Banquet
held on 12/7/64; Vernon Coho recipient.
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Public welcoming of
basketball boys from District Tournament.
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Harlem Stars game on
4/l/65 with the "W/R Booster Club Debs" (all male members) playing in
the preliminary game.
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Final reading and
approval of Constitution on 4/5/65 and election of officers for next
school year.
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Booster Club ladies
"manned" the concession stand at Track Meet under the lights on
4/30/65.
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Awards Night. Women
members donated pie, punch and coffee. Approximately 250 persons
attended this gathering on 5/3/65; all students were honored who
participated in various WRHS activities. new officers for next school
year were installed.
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Hamburger Fry at
Summit on 5/22/65, honoring approximately 14C students (we had a near
forest fire!).
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Meeting on 8/2/65 at
St. Bernard Hall at Navajo, New Mexico.
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Breakfast meetings
were begun this year (2nd year).
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Raffle held during
homecoming to raise funds.
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2nd Annual Judson
Avey Sportsmanship Awards Banquet held on 11/30/65 in the Navajo
Police Academy; Larry Arnold recipient.
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In December, 1965,
we began our plans to purchase diploma replicas for all graduating
Seniors, which has been carried on since.
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In 1970, we began
giving Player of the Week awards; parents of these recipients were
honored at the next home football game after the Player was chosen.
Laura T. Bennett
Secretary 1972-73
10/18/72