A golden morning for the 1966 champion Bulldogs

HUNTSVILLE -- Stories were told - with some slight embellishing - Saturday at the annual Louis Crews Classic Breakfast.

The occasion celebrated the 50th anniversary of the unbeaten Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference champion Bulldog football team. Mrs. Martha Crews, widow of the late Head Coach Louis Crews, was the guest of honor.

"Fifty years ... to us it seems like last year," said James Garner, one of the tri-captains of the team. "We've gone over the season until we can almost give you a play-by-pay ... almost."

The Bulldogs finished the regular season unbeaten before falling to Florida A&M in the Orange Blossom Classic. The game was historic in that this was the first A&M football team to be invited to a postseason game.

"When those that come before you do an excellent job, you honor them," said A&M Director of Athletics Bryan Hicks. "It's not easy to serve a group that has so much excellence ... we stand on your shoulders."

A&M Head Football Coach James Spady said he and his staff also educate their players on the history and legacy of Bulldogs football.

"I can tell you that in order" to build a successful program, "you need a strong foundation," he said. "We tell our players 'you're playing and performing to honor the folks who played before you'."

Gene Bright, the former director of athletics and golf coach at A&M, was the defensive coordinator for the 1966 team. He shared a story of the game against South Carolina State that reflected the tenacity of the team.

"SC State was cocky," he said. "They ran through our warmups.

"Well, Thomas Jones caught the winning touchdown pass (from Onree Jackson) ... and sent SC State back to Orangeburg."

The former players were feted throughout the day leading up to the Bulldogs game with Prairie View A&M. They took a tour of the Hobson Fieldhouse, enjoyed a lunchtime tailgate and were introduced to the fans in a pregame ceremony.

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