Back in the late 1970s, my father founded the Tyler County Girls’ Softball League. He did it for my sisters, because there were no summer sports programs for girls. He thought it would be a small project, with just a few friends. But when it was announced, every girl in the county wanted in.
Moms, dads, and community leaders from all over were recruited as coaches and administrators. I was only 15, but there was such a need for personnel, even I was coaching a team of 10-year-olds.
This was not “Little League.” There were no high stakes, no state championships. Just local girls, divided up into teams. The goals were simply to play together and have fun. Every girl played every game. Nobody sat on the bench. Cheering for your team was encouraged, but booing your opponents was not. Everyone was welcome, and the League grew each year.
My father coached “The Eaglettes,” the top team in the League. For many of his girls, it was the first time any authority figure had given them such positive and unconditional support. At the time, I didn’t understand how special that must have been.
My father’s work during those times should be recorded. I started thinking seriously about it last year, and the first person I looked up was Valerie Jackson. She was a tremendous athlete at Woodville High School who became the first star player for the Eaglettes. She passed away in November of 2023. I had missed her by only six months. Were you one of the original Eaglettes? Or did you play on another team? Perhaps you were a coach, or a board member?
Please tell your story!
