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ANNOUNCEMENTS

PHYSICALS TO BE GIVEN ON MAY 19TH...
The Covington High School Athletic Dept. will be offering PHYSICALS to its high school and junior high boy and girl athletes. Physicals will be given on Monday, May 19th from 6 to 8 p.m. at the high school. The cost is $15.00. Parents must sign the OHSAA ADOPTED physical form before physicals will be given to the athletes. Physicals for athletes whose last name begins with A-E will be given from 6-6:30; F-L will go from 6:30-7, M-R will be from 7-7:30; and S-Z will be from 7:30-8 p.m.

COVINGTON'S SMITH FIELD...
Covington's Smith Field has been the only home for the Covington Buccaneers since the inception of the modern era in 1947.

Directions to Smith Field...
From Dayton: Take I-75 North to SR-41 (West) into Covington. Turn right (North) on SR 48. At third stop light, turn right (East) on SR-36. Take 36 about .75 miles and turn right (South) on Ullery St. Smith Field is ahead.
From Minster: Take SR-66 (South) to SR-48. Turn right (South) on SR-48 and drive 7 miles to Covington. At first stop light, turn left (East) on SR-36. Take 36 about .75 miles and turn right (South) on Ullery St. Smith Field is ahead.
From Greenville: Take SR-36 (East) to Covington. Proceed (East) through first stop light about .75 miles and turn right (South) on Ullery St. Smith Field is ahead.
From Piqua: Take SR-36 (West) into Covington. Turn left (South) on Ullery St. Smith Field is ahead.
From West Milton: Take SR-48 (North) into Covington. At third stop light, turn right (East) of SR-36. Take 36 about .75 miles and turn right (South) on Ullery St. Smith Field is ahead.

The Birth of Smith Field...
Early in 1947, the Board of Education issued enough bonds to secure $5,000, and as a gift, presented them with an additional five acres. The 10-acre site was then called Smith Field. The bonds have since been retired, being paid off at the rate of $1,000 per year.

In the meantime, a Boosters Club, composed of enthusiastic sportsmen, was organized with Russell Johnson as president. This organization raffled off an automobile and along with several other projects, secured enough money to construct and equip the football field and a quarter-mile track.

Friday, September 26, 1947, was designated as "Booster's Night". In the semi-darkness at Smith Field, over 1,500 eager fans heard the words, "We have honored our country with the playing of the National Anthem...now we honor the Boosters by turning on the lights. Let there be light." R.K. Johnston, Booster president, then presented the athletic facility and Kermit Stade accepted of behalf of the school board. Covington fans were only minutes away from witnessing the rebirth of a sport that had been dormant in Covington for 37 years.

Covington hosted the Piqua Catholic Cavaliers in this first game on the friendly confines of Smith Field, and midway through the first quarter, David Beard went 30 yards around right end for the first touchdown. Dick Supinger booted the extra point as Covington put their first seven points on the scoreboard. Late in the third period, Beard and Supinger duplicated the feat in the same manner and the Buccaneers had their first triumph, a 14-0 victory that started a tradition that exists today.

The Smith Field Tradition...
Over the years, Smith Field has evolved in appearance. The biggest evolution was started by Bob Huelsman and the Bucc Boosters organization.

In the late 70's, the tradition of the Covington emblem being painted at mid-field was spearheaded by Huelsman. Since, it has become a tradition for Booster members as they paint the Buccaneer logo prior to each game. Along with Huelsman, the most notable contributor over the years has been long-time Booster member, Ben Wolfe.

The appearance of the field has garnered attention from publications across the country and from opposing teams, who have solicited advice on field maintenance.

Burr Simpson...He Started It All!
He coached only 3 seasons and recorded a modest 12-10-2 record but Burr Simpson is the foundation for Buccs football. He coached the Buccs' first team in 1947 and built the program from nothing into a 6-2 team in 1949. He set the foundation for coaches who followed him. Consider, Burr Simpson's first season ended with a 2-6 record and in his second year he built his team into a winner by going 5-2-2. His team improved again in 1949 with a 6-2 record. With the wheels in motion, Paul Devine stepped in and recorded a 6-3 record in 1950, a 7-0-2 record in 1951 and a perfect 9-0 record in 1952.