By JEFF PHILLIPS
HARLAN COUNTY SCHOOLS
It was as though time had turned back 40 years on School Road in Cumberland on Saturday.
Redskins of present and past were in attendance at Harold Shrout Memorial Stadium to pay homage to one of their own – Freddie Maggard.
The field was picture perfect for the occasion.
Cannon fire sounded when touchdowns were scored as the loud booms bounced off of Black and Pine mountains, echoing down into Cumberland and up into Cloverlick.
The words “Cheer, cheer for Cumberland, We never give up, We never die” were heard to the tune of the Notre Dame fight song which blared from the public address system and filtered out into the community.
The Tomahawk chop was alive and well, sweeping the stands as though it never faded during the four decades which have since passed since Maggard graduated.
Familiar voices came over the loudspeakers, just like they did way back when. Roland “Pee Wee” Cornett and Raymond “Rainbo” Johnson picked up just where they left off, relaying heartfelt gratitude and accolades to Maggard.
Cheers came as Cornett relived a tradition from calling Cumberland games for 34 years. “Hold the phone, there is a flag on the play,” he said.
At least one section of the fence row, that area near the concession stand, was lined with spectators shoulder to shoulder, just like it used to be all the way around the field under those Friday night lights back in the early to mid 1980s when Maggard and his teammates took the field and through the early 2000s before consolidation at Harlan County High School.
Under a tent just out of the end zone, there was a display of awards Maggard would be receiving later in the afternoon, including a declaration naming him an Honorary Harlan County Coal Miner. No doubt his parents, Freddie Wayne Maggard Sr. and Patricia (Pat) Meade Maggard, were looking down from above smiling at the accolades being bestowed upon their son. You see, following a military career, Freddie Sr., an athletic standout for Carr Creek High School, worked four decades in the coal mining industry.
Maggard mingled among the crowd, greeting old friends and teammates, taking photos with current players and shaking hands with those who had come to celebrate not only an extraordinary athletic career, but a man whose connection to Cumberland and the Tri-City community has endured long after his playing days ended.
Near midfield, a large maroon No. 1 and a Kentucky blue No. 18 had been painted onto the grass. Two numbers. Two chapters of Maggard's athletic life. No. 1 belonged to the Cumberland Redskins. No. 18 belonged to the Kentucky Wildcats.
He was joined by his former teammates who traveled from near and far to be a part of the afternoon and to be recognized for being the state runner-up in 1986, making them the third team to play in a state championship game in a five-year span.
At one point during the Pee Wee League game for third and fourth grade students, Cornett commented that he still sees Maggard working his magic on the field as he did so many Friday nights, adding “there might be a lot of Freddie Maggards out there on the field right now.”
Two football games were played, but many were reflecting on the talent Maggard had in three sports – football, baseball and basketball.
He was in attendance to see the field take on the name of Freddie Maggard Field.
Surrounded by his teammates and Cumberland Elementary football players, Maggard addressed the crowd saying, “This means more to me than anything I’ve ever received or been honored with in athletics.”
“Today is about history, the past,” said Maggard. “Now, I want it to be about the present and the future.”
He noted it couldn’t have happened without Jody Gluck having brought “me here ever how many years ago. That started it all. Football belongs in the Tri-Cities. We need to play here. We need to develop our players here… I want to challenge you all to be the next Garrett Gregory or the next Kevin Rhinehart… It is not about honoring an old guy like me, it is about being one of the next these guys,” pointing to his teammates.
“This means the world to me. I will never forget today. I love you all. And, Go Skins,” exclaimed Maggard.
Johnson reflected on walking into the stadium in yesteryear, noting “The grandstand would be completely full. Standing room only around the field. It was amazing. The band would take the field. They were 60 strong in the band. The cheerleaders would be cheering for the crowd to get up for our football team and hit the field while they were in the locker room taping up for the battle here on this field… Traditions go on.”
“Just like that. These young men, like Freddie and his players, laid the ground work many times for the young people to play ball here at Cumberland. Those days are back today,” said Johnson. “There is one thing we have today that we lost when all these men graduated and Freddie went on to play ball. We lost them for a while, but we’ve got them back today.”
Harlan County Board of Education Vice Chair Scott Sherman, Cumberland Elementary Football Head Coach Randy Surber and longtime Maggard and Cumberland Supporter Kenneth Scott worked to bring Saturday’s recognition to fruition.
“Our coaches have told many stories to our players about the heritage of our athletic programs and to see the past players interact with our current student athletes was truly amazing,” said Sherman. “As much individual success as Freddie has had, he made sure those in attendance knew he could not have done it without his teammates and it was evident the bond they all have is still strong by seeing so many of them in attendance. We want our boys to have that same lifelong connection.”
“We are incredibly grateful for the support we had from throughout Harlan County and beyond to make this event successful,” said Sherman.
Surber agreed, adding “We are truly humbled by the incredible amount of support we’ve received—not only from the Tri-City area, but from people all across Harlan County. The kids in this area have a love for football that is truly special, and the support we’ve seen over the last three years has proven just how much this game means to our community.”
“Football is more than a game here. It’s tradition, family, community, and an opportunity for our kids to learn about hard work, teamwork, and commitment,” said Surber. “Thank you to everyone who continues to support these young athletes. We appreciate you more than you know!”
Chris Early, a resident of Cumberland, reflected on the afternoon, noting “The main thing I see here today is a whole lot of happy people. I think this is great.”
Maggard's story did not end when he left the football field. His life after Cumberland and Kentucky was marked by another kind of service. He served in the United States military before continuing that service through the Kentucky National Guard, eventually working in recruiting and community relations and helping young people prepare for life beyond the military.
FRIDAY NIGHT RECOGNITION
Maggard and his teammates were honored at the end of the first quarter of the Harlan County Black Bears game with South Laurel on Friday night, marking 40 years since this Redskin team became the last Harlan County team to play in a high school state championship game.
The 1986 Team opened the playoffs with a 27-0 win over Pineville before defeating the Pikeville Panthers 14-6 in the Regional Championship. The Redskins then defeated Beechwood 14-12 in the State Semifinals before falling to Heath 27-12 at Cardinal Stadium in Louisville.
This was the third Cumberland team to play in a State Championship Game in a five-year span, joining the 1982 and 1983 Redskins.
2015 KHSAA HALL OF FAME
FREDDIE MAGGARD BIOGRAPHY
A three-sport standout and a 12-time letterwinner at Cumberland High, Freddie Maggard starred for the Redskins on the hardwood, the gridiron, and the diamond. Maggard is described by longtime Harlan Daily Enterprise sports editor John Henson as the "best all-around athlete" he ever covered in Harlan County since he began writing about sports.
On the football field Maggard led Cumberland to a pair of state championship game appearances as a quarterback and defensive back, earning All-State honors at both positions from the Associated Press in1986. A three-time All-SEKC defensive back and quarterback, Maggard competed in the Kentucky vs. Tennessee All-Star Game, and was the Most Valuable Player of the Kiwanis Bowl and the inaugural Pike County Bowl.
He was a three-year starter and 1,000 point scorer on the basketball team, earning All-State honorable mention accolades while leading the Redskins to a pair of district titles, and a four-year starter and All-State selection as a pitcher and center fielder on the baseball team.
His talents as a baseball player, which included a 28-1 pitching record and a 400 career batting average, led Cumberland to three consecutive regional championships from 1985-87, with the Redskins advancing to the state semifinals in 1985 for the first time in school history.
Maggard is a Pike County Bowl Legends Award recipient, and had his jersey retired by Cumberland High School. Maggard, who was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the 1987 MLB Draft, went on to star at the University of Kentucky, where the two-way player served as team captain of the football team and was a three-time All-SEC Academic Team Honoree.
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Forty years after Maggard and his teammates walked onto the field as Cumberland Redskins, another generation of young players took the field Saturday.
The cannon fired. The crowd cheered. The Tomahawk chop echoed through the stands. And somewhere between the maroon No. 1 and the Kentucky blue No. 18, the past met the future. The Redskins remembered.
And perhaps, as Cornett suggested, there were a few Freddie Maggards out there on the field.