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Former Hornet football players follow the history of Booker T.'s football team in a new documentary.
Football fever
Booker T. Washington High School is known across Oklahoma for producing exceptional football players.
This past August, three former Hornet football players created the documentary “Hornet Football Excellence,” which explores the school’s vibrant football history and longstanding legacy.
“A lot of students have heard former players’ names but have never had a chance to see the guys or the cheerleaders or the queens,” says LaMar Burks, former Hornets player and one of the creators of the documentary. “We thought we should document that history.”
The documentary focuses on the successes Booker T. Washington has seen since 1919, including several state championships and a number of players who moved on to play in the NFL.
But the 60-minute film also tackles racial issues players had to face for the school to be where it is today. Prior to desegregation, the football team was forced to travel out of state to play against other teams, Burks says.
Gerald Hicks, a co-creator of the film, was a player for the Hornets in the 1970s. He remembers the atmosphere at Booker T. Washington as Tulsa began to integrate the high school.
“At that time, if you were going to cause trouble, you were out of there,” Hicks says. “The students at Booker T. wanted to be there and were proud to be there. We wanted to make it work.”
Throughout the bumpy 90-year history, the Hornets football team has remained the pride of the great Southwest.
“That name carries a lot of weight,” Burks says. “We just want the young people to live up to that legacy.”
Copies of “Hornet Football Excellence” are available for $20. For more information on how to purchase a copy and about local showings of the documentary, contact LaMar Burks at 812-4506 or Gerald Hicks at 616-2582.
Calling all alumni
Booker T. Washington High School alumni are invited to attend a slate of activities associated with the school’s homecoming celebration, Oct. 23. From 3-6 p.m., alumni can enjoy a tailgate party outside the high school’s historical center, 1514 E. Zion St. The homecoming game takes place at 7:30 p.m. at S.E. Williams Stadium. Stay after the game for an alumni after-party at a location to be announced. On Oct. 24, the Booker T. Washington Alumni Association will also offer a membership event. For more information, visit www.HornetAlumni.org.
