TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Gulf High Alumni Set To Invade Old Turf

ADVERTISEMENT

By CARL ORTH

The Suncoast News

Published: September 24, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - The invasion of West Pasco County is coming soon.

That's the promise from Gulf High School's Athletic Booster Club. It is organizing what members hope will become the most massive reunion in the school's 86-year history.

They are calling the little get-together the Buccaneer Alumni Invasion.

The event grew so big it expanded to two days, Oct. 24 and 25, the chairman, Bill Phillips, said. It's hard for him to believe it has been 33 years since he picked up his diploma with the Class of 1975.

For the kicker, the goal is to gather up to 500 Gulf High School graduates to "Fill the Field" before the Saturday night varsity football game between Gulf and Hudson high schools. An aerial photo is being arranged of all the alumni standing on the football field. It should be quite a sight, Phillips said.

So far, reservations from some 140 people have trickled in, Phillips said, although typically many guests wait until the last minute to register.

Reservation information is at www.gulfhighinvasion.com, or go to Gulf High's Web site, www.gulfhigh.org, and click on the "Alumni" or "Booster Club" links.

The alumni group has snagged Steve Persall as master of ceremonies, a 1974 Gulf High graduate who went on to become a movie critic for the St. Petersburg Times.

The whole point of the festivities is to raise money for four academic and athletic scholarships.

One of the scholarships will be named after Brian Singletary, the longtime Southgate Publix store manager. Singletary, a Tarpon Springs High School product, is being drafted as an honorary Gulf alumni member.

The event should add more memories to the storied past of Gulf High, which first opened its doors Sept. 18, 1922. The school cost about $40,000 to build, according to school archives.

About 75 students attended in grades 6 through 11 that first year. The school now has more than 75 teachers. In recent years enrollment grew to more than 1,600.

Countless local leaders have walked the halls of Gulf High School.

Gulf High School teacher John Gallagher in 1971 won election to the New Port Richey City Council. That success and a degree in public administration served as his springboard to become city manager and then Pasco County administrator, the position he still holds more than a quarter of a century later.

A 1971 graduate, Dan Tipton, went on to become New Port Richey mayor in 2004.

The stroll down memory lane for reunion participants will start with a pep rally at Sims Park at 7 p.m. Oct. 24.

A Kickoff Party will follow at Fatty and Mables.

The fun continues at 9 a.m. Oct. 25 with a Fore Fun golf outing.

A pregame barbecue, catered by Pit Boss BBQ, will be 3 to 6 p.m. Oct. 25.

The Fill the Field photo of graduates from the past 86 years will be snapped at 7 p.m.

The Hudson and Gulf varsity high school teams will clash at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 25, with more alumni festivities at halftime.

Reporter Carl Orth can be reached at (727) 815-1068 or corth@suncoastnews.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT