Casner's WISD induction no tall tale
9/14/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 14, 2001
Reproduced with permission of the Waco Tribune-Herald, Copyright 2001.
By LUKE GILLIAM, Tribune-Herald staff writer
Ken Casner has plenty of stories.
In 28 years, Casner played and coached football from Texas to California to Canada and all points in between. During Casner's playing days with the then-Los Angeles Rams, Kirk Douglas bought his lunch at the studios of Twentieth Century Fox. Casner once played three games in four days as a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders. And he'll never forget the time his team lost a high school all-star game, 4-0, when the ball was twice snapped over the punter's head and out of the end zone.
After tonight, Casner, a 1948 graduate of Waco High, will have another great story to tell when he joins Richfield's Bubba Hicks, A.J. Moore's Alvin Jackson and University's Alton McNew in the second class to be inducted into Waco ISD's Athletic Hall of Fame.
A banquet will be held in the men's honor at 6:30 tonight at Heart O' Texas Fine Arts Building. The inductees will also be recognized at halftime of the Waco High-University football game Friday night at Waco ISD Stadium.
"Waco is my home. I love Waco, so this is an honor," said Casner, who retired from the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles in 1991. "I went out to see the new stadium and looked in the (Hall of Fame) room, and my big picture was one of eight up there on the wall. It's outstanding."
Casner was an all-district and all-state tackle on both sides of the ball for the Tigers. He went on to garner all-Southwest Conference and all-American honors at Baylor in 1951 when the Bears earned an Orange Bowl invitation.
He was drafted by the Rams, who he helped to the league championship game. Casner spent the next three years in the military before returning to professional football, playing for Saskatchewan.
After retiring from playing football, Casner moved into the coaching ranks, eventually spending seven seasons at Baylor. He was inducted into the university's Hall of Fame in 1981.
Here's a look at the rest of the Class of 2001:
David "Bubba" Hicks: Richfield Class of '71
Hicks was a two-sport all-district performer at Richfield. He was a part of a pair of Rams baseball playoff teams, but earned more recognition for his prowess as a kicker on the gridiron. He still holds the district's record with a 51-yard field goal he hit in a win over Waco High in 1970.
"In a way this is a reflection of a lot of players in different sports," said Hicks, who is president of Compass Bank in Waco. "I think as this process goes on, we'll find out that there are a lot of deserving people that have gone through WISD. It's real exciting and a tremendous honor."
Hicks remained a Central Texas fixture by accepting a scholarship to Baylor where he would go on to set seven school and three conference records as a placekicker. He was a member of Baylor's 1974 "Miracle on the Brazos" Southwest Conference championship team and earned all-conference honors in 1975.
Alton McNew: University Class of '60
Before LaDainian Tomlinson and even Walter Abercrombie, University had a football star in McNew. The 6-0, 195-pound fullback was the school's first 1,000-yard rusher. He was named all-district, Super Centex, all-state and all-American following his senior season.
In addition to his running prowess, McNew, who passed away in 1988, was considered an exceptional blocker and outstanding linebacker.
"He loves to hit," University coach Bill Fowler said in a 1959 newspaper article. "He's a real quiet boy, never loafs, you never have to get on him for anything. He can be dog-tired and still does his best. He just applies himself all the time."
McNew played in the national high school football all-star game in Hershey, Pa. After being recruited by more than 80 schools, McNew signed with Baylor. His playing days were cut short after one semester when he returned home to help support his family following the death of his father.
Besides his football accolades, McNew lettered in track and he was the senior class president.
Alvin Jackson: A. J. Moore Class of '55
Jackson was a four-year starter at quarterback for Lions. He led Moore High to the Prairie View Interscholastic League state championship in 1952 and a co-championship in 1951.
After high school, Jackson attended Wiley College for one semester before signing a pro baseball contract. The left-handed pitcher toiled 10 years in the big leagues with four different organizations, including the St. Louis Cardinals 1967 World Series championship team. Jackson compiled a 67-99 record with a 3.98 earned run average.
Jackson retired following the 1969 season, but he has stayed in baseball ever since. He was the pitching coach for the Baltimore Orioles from 1989-91. He is currently employed by the Mets organization as a scout.
NOTE: Tickets are $10 per person and may be purchased at the door. To make reservations, contact Sally Bledsoe at 254-776-0433.
Reproduced with permission of the Waco Tribune-Herald, Copyright 2001.
