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Edwards Stadium Is A Symbol Of County's Support

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By EDDIE DANIELS edaniels@tampatrib.com

The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 4, 2008

DADE CITY - Entering the football stadium on Pasco High's campus, high on the clay-colored bricks, the black letters announce the name of the venue: "W.F. Edwards Stadium."

Once inside, if you look to the south end zone, there are former players, parents and friends gathered for the game. The purpose for that is to offer support to the players on the field.

That support made its way from Massey Field, where the Pirates once played, to the current structure. What was once Massey Field is now home to the Pasco County Courthouse. Back then, Pasco High sat where Pasco Middle School is today.

When the new school was under construction in 1960, Edwards, a former Plant High football player who then lived in Dade City, was told it would be about a decade before a stadium would be built.

That news sent Edwards, the former president of Lykes Pasco Packing Co., into fundraising mode. Edwards was the son of L.C. Edwards, the founder of Pasco Packing Association (later renamed Lykes Pasco Inc.), and the younger Edwards estimated the project would cost about $75,000. When the yearlong construction ended in 1965, the cost had ballooned to $350,000.

Money trickled in from around the community, and Dade City Stadium opened for the 1965 Pirates season with a home opener against Wildwood. At that time, the campus served seventh- and eighth-graders. The high school relocated to the spot in 1970.

Bank of Pasco County president Leon Douglas became one of 44 who "enthusiastically pledged in writing our support to the tune of $1,000 each, thereby becoming charter members."

To supplement the money from donors, events at Massey Field had a 10-cent admission to help pay down the debt. By 1970, the stadium project was paid in full.

In 1976, the stadium was renamed W.F. Edwards Stadium.

W.F. "Bill" Edwards died Jan. 21, 1992, the same season the Pirates became the county's only state football champion. His wife, Louise Edwards, who sometimes made dinner for the team and regularly attended games, died Dec. 16, 2006.

Edwards' efforts, and the donors who made the stadium happen, make it apparent that the support for Pasco football has been there from Day One.

Reporter Eddie Daniels can be reached at (813) 948-4214.

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