Coppell Football Stadium Named for Mustangs' Buddy Echols

[MrMustang1965]

Echols lends his name to what is now Buddy Echols Field after the CISD Education Foundation's annual Founder's Day event on the Foundation Plaza, inside the northwest entrance to the home side of what had been Cowboys Stadium.

"He was credited in being instrumental in creating the vision for the foundation and served as both a founding director and donor in the organization until he retired from the district two years ago," district spokesperson Tamerah Ringo said.

The foundation event took place one hour before the Cowboys took to Buddy Echols Field to face Duncanville - and come away with a come-from-behind 14-13 win. Echols was honored again during an on-field recognition at halftime of the game, during which he led the Coppell High School band in the school fight song.

Echols first came to the Coppell ISD in May 1989 from the New Caney ISD, where he had served as superintendent for two years.

"The size of the Coppell community then was about 3,000...we've come a long way at almost 40,000." Ringo said. "Coppell High School, the stadium complex, field house, tennis complex and softball/baseball complex along with may other campuses in the district were built on his 'watch.'"

During this time of fast growth, Echols was credited with a number of things, Ringo said. First, he raised the standard of professionalism of district practices with the hiring and screening of teachers and staff development to a more formalized level.

While serving as superintendent, he organized the building of state-of-the-art facilities in a quick manner to accommodate the growth of the district, never once having to use a portable building to do so.

"The Fine Arts Department at Coppell High School has one of the finest black box theaters and drama classrooms anywhere, and the new art rooms, complete with natural lighting, are visited time and again by districts from across the state who are interested in their innovative design," Ringo said.

An accomplished vocalist, Echols was instrumental in forming the district's choral program. Before he came to CISD, there was no middle school or high school choir.
Additionally, he expanded the advanced placement and gifted and talented programs, one of the strongest in Texas, at the same time the district began growing tremendously.

He has also been referred to as "a true visionary for this district and a very balanced individual always emphasizing the importance of academics, fine arts, and athletics," Ringo said. "He wanted to ensure that all students had many opportunities to be successful in a variety of arenas both in and out of the classroom."

Echols, who played high school football, graduated from Gainsville High School in 1967, while his father was superintendent. He followed that up with a successful football and academic career at Southern Methodist University, where he received his bachelor's degree in chemistry in 1971.

"Buddy," as he is known by all, began his educational career in Highland Park ISD as a middle school science and P.E. teacher, then went on to accept the role of an Irving ISD middle school vice principal from 1976 to 1979.
His first stint as principal was at Van High School in Van, Texas, in 1979. He went on to become the Van ISD's superintendent from 1981 to 1987 before taking a similar position in New Caney.

His wife, Susan, is a voice instructor and both daughters, Katherine and Kari, are educators. His son, Scott, is completing his studies at Texas Tech University.

[Hilltopper]

Isn't that the guy who played "Jed" on The Beverly Hillbillies?

[MrMustang1965]

Isn't that the guy who played "Jed" on The Beverly Hillbillies?

Cute. No, that was Buddy EBSEN!