(Author’s Note: I have tried on multiple occasions to get Coach Hawkins nominated for inclusion into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame without success. I have reached out to AD Tim McMurray, who also has had no luck. Thank you, sir. What follows is from the heart.) To Whom It May Concern: I represent a…
“I feel all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve.” Adm. Isoroku Yamamoto, December 7, 1941 How in the world does the above quote from the Japanese Admiral who led the attack on Pearl Harbor and began World War II have to do with…
Todays report is about the plight of the small school undrafted NFL free agent. The process and expectations if you will. At least from the view of this kid back in 1993. A remarkable thing happened back in the spring of 1992 there at old Memorial Stadium. “Pro Day” for us included a scout from…
This past weekend was the NFL draft, and while no Lions got the call, 3 of them were either signed to Undrafted Free Agent Deals or were invited to Rookie Mini-Camps. Luis Perez-Los Angeles Rams (Mini-Camp Invite) Jared Machorro-Indianapolis Colts (Mini-Camp Invite) Yusef Sterling-Lowe-Arizona Cardinals (Mini-Camp Invite) To provide some context as to what these…
Hat Tip Russell McLean for blowing up my phone this morning to tell me. Congrats are in order to Luis Perez, who will be headed to Los Angeles to the Rams to attend a Rookie Camp. As disappointed as we were to see him not get called in the draft, like Russell McLean said, “All…
You all know Carthel. You all know Hawkins. Some of you might not know Eddie Vowell, but you will now. Coach Vowell was the man who had the last run of serious success in Commerce, America before Colby Carthel came to town. The Stafford, Oklahoma native joined the Lions staff in the early 1980’s as…
It all began with a general conversation between Brian and I one evening last fall, around the time that the football facility became Ernest Hawkins Field at Memorial Stadium. There have been more than a few named that have etched themselves in Lion Football coaching history-Smith, Sikes, Vowell, and Carthel, to name a few. There…
This will be part 5 of my 5-part series on each of my seasons at ETSU. The 1992 season. This one starts in the off season. We again had made it to the quarterfinals and were so close to winning it all in 91. Losing so many on offense we had to rebuild quick. I…
Editor’s Note: This Article was published by the Dallas Morning News in September of 1992. It was written by Kevin Sherrington and is not the work of The Lion Wire or any of the staff or the writers. It is here for reading enjoyment purposes only and every attempt has been taken to ensure the…
This is part 4 of the 5 part series chronicling my years at ETSU. 1991 season. Having won the ’90 LSC crown and making our first NCAA quarterfinal appearance we were riding high. Our offense was basically all coming back except for the best receiver to don the blue and gold, Gary Compton. Recruiting was…
First, I wanted to thank my partners in crime, Billy Minor and Russell McLean. This list of top 20 was a complete team effort. Having to be able to have guys on this staff who actually played with some of these great players and saw first hand how truly great they were. We our proud…
No, this is not clickbait. Just a set of Honorable mention players that did not make the cut to the top 20, but did contribute to the Football program as a whole and some even hold records. I felt that they were worth the mention, as did the rest of the staff. These are all…
A Busy past week in Lion Athletics, lets get to it. Track and Field- Memorial Stadium was home to a large crowd of teams and spectators as The Lion Track team hosted the East Texas State Relays On Saturday. The Women ran away with the Title scoring 231 points, beating rival Tarleton State, who placed…
This is part 3 of the 5 part series of my years in Commerce (88-92). The 1990 season. After a dissappointing 4-6 season in 89, the turn of the decade was looked upon as a fresh new start. I was coming off my ACL surgery after playing only a few plays in the opener before…
In a few days, The Wire will be releasing the list of top 20 Quarterbacks in program history, but until then, it is time to update the school passing records. Top Ten Includes Ties that are listed in alphabetical order. Quarterbacks in Bold were also All-American. Career Passing Yards- Luis Perez-2015-2017-8,237 Yards Bob Bounds-1987-1991-5,955 Yards…
Bigger…faster…stronger. After a successful 1988 season we were anxious to get back at it again and getting prepared for the 89 season required each of the returners to become the 3 things mentioned above. I was ready to go as the guy who started ahead of me had graduated and the “Z “receiver spot was…
This is the first of a 5-part series on my years at Commerce (88-92), and will be my view of each season. ETSU had very little expectations for the 88 season. We were coming off back to back 2-9 seasons and hadn’t had a winning record since ’83. Coach Eddie Vowell’s first two years were…
Every Spring, around Mardi Gras time, you hear a saying, particularly around the New Orleans area. Everyone says, “Laissez Le Bon Temps Rouler!” Loosely translated from Cajun French, it means, “Let the good times roll.” And ever since that glorious night last December in Kansas City, the good times continue to roll for your Texas…
The 2018 Schedule is out, so a few thoughts about each game. September 8- Vs. William Jewell-@ Greene Stadium Liberty, Missouri September 15-VS. Eastern New Mexico-Greyhound Stadium, Portales, New Mexcio September 22 VS. Colorado State-Pueblo-Ernest Hawkins Field At Memorial Stadium, Commerce, Texas September 29 VS. Texas A&M Kingsville (Chennault Cup Game)-Ernest Hawkins Field At Memorial…
First off let me say a big thanks to Brian and Russell for allowing me to be a part of “The Lion Wire” and to all the people who have welcomed and congratulated me. Being a former Lion I have to start with a football post but look forward to exploring all TAMU-Commerce sports so here goes.…
The Lion Wire 