Dayton Sports Hall of Fame Inductees
Boyd and Patsie Arnold - Boosters
The Dayton Sports Hall of Fame inducted lifelong supporters of Dayton Bronco athletics, Boyd and Patsie Arnold, on June 12 at the Dayton ISD Performing Arts Center. The following is from the induction speech by Larry Wadzeck.
In 1946, a 15-year-old Boyd Arnold moved to Dayton and quickly joined the Bronchos football team, for which he played the remainder of his high school years. This started his lifelong support of Dayton ISD athletics. Patsie moved to Dayton when she was nine months old and, initially because of parents who were huge supporters of Broncho athletics, she became one also. In fact, Patsie brought us a copy of the letter that her Mom wrote to the editor of the Liberty Vindicator after he had made disparaging remarks about the Bronchos and their fans after a Dayton victory over Liberty. Imagine a reporter doing that! It was a come-to-Jesus letter leaving nothing unsaid, so when Patsie says she has purple blood in her veins, she is not lying.
She and Boyd were avid Bronco supporters together for over 70 years, supporting family, friends, and all athletes. Patsie remains a staunch supporter and tells her Liberty friends she still has purple in her blood. It’s an honor to present a couple that has supported this community and the athletic program for – in Patsie’s case – over 80 years – Boyd and Patsie Arnold.
Will Bowers – Football and Powerlifting
The Dayton Sports Hall of Fame inducted former Dayton Bronco standout athlete Will Bowers on June 12 at the Dayton ISD Performing Arts Center. The following is from the induction speech by Larry Wadzeck.
When I first talked with Will about his induction, he was very excited. One of the reasons for his excitement is one we hadn’t heard before – a couple of ago, his wife, who is also an outstanding athlete, was inducted into her high school sports hall of honor. Now there two high school Hall of Famers in their home.
Will excelled at DHS in football and powerlifting. Will was a two-time State Qualifier earning second in the state in his weight category his senior year in powerlifting.
In football, you hardly ever hear the words four-year letterman, but Will was. He earned All-District honors as both a running back and linebacker. Coach Stewart called him a big man that can run fast. But blocking was also a big part of his game as he led the way for Dakari Pearson and Keithon Edwards.
Will played football at the collegiate level at Stephen F. Austin State University, where he was a starter in the backfield, and here, he excelled the same way he had in Dayton – picking up tough yards in the middle, catching passes out of the backfield, and blocking.
Will is coaching and working with young people in Kaufman ISD. All of us in Dayton know you couldn’t pick a better young man of talent and character to lead young people. It’s an honor and pleasure to welcome Will to the DISD Sports Hall of Fame.