High School Dedicates Eubanks Field

HUNTINGDON (April 20) — Huntingdon High School held a special ceremony prior to Monday night’s baseball game to officially dedicate Eubanks Field in honor of Head Coach Alan Eubanks.

The dedication coincides with the recent completion of a construction project to update the facility’s press box, concessions and restrooms.

The Eubanks family and former players and coaches were invited onto the field, and PA announcer Russell Bush spoke.

“Tonight,” Bush said, “the Huntingdon Special School District would like to recognize a man and a family that has been instrumental in giving back to the Mustang Baseball program at Huntingdon High School… Coach Eubanks was a Mustang baseball player for four years and graduated from HHS in 1996. After high school, he played college baseball at Jackson State and Union University.

“After serving as an assistant coach, Coach Eubanks was hired in 2004 to take over the reins as head coach of the Mustang baseball program. Over the last 23 years, Mustang players and fans have witnessed the passion and love the Eubanks family has for their community, school, and Mustang baseball. We celebrate our Head Coach and his family tonight because of how their love for the blue and gold has inspired them to give back so others for generations to come would represent Huntingdon with the same honor and pride it deserves.

“Coach Eubanks has often expressed how he has benefited from those who came before him. Well, tonight, we celebrate and say thank you to Coach Eubanks and the Eubanks family because we all are drinking from a well they all played a part in digging.”

Under the leadership of Coach Eubanks, the Mustang baseball team has won 16 district championships and seven regional championships. They have appeared in a sectional game 13 times and advanced to the state tournament nine times with three appearances in the state championship game. Over the last 23 years, our Mustang players and coaches have won nearly 500 games.

Bush concluded, “Tonight, we honor everyone who has contributed to the Mustang baseball program. Tonight, we honor the Eubanks family. Tonight, we honor our head coach, Coach Alan Eubanks. We are proud that future comeback wins, game saving catches and Huntingdon Mustangs will be remembered on this very field. Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Eubanks Field.”

Bush read a few personal notes to Coach Eubanks from each of his sons — Gray, Hayes and Mac.

Director of Schools Dr. Jonathan Kee and school board Chairman Dr. Lee Carter presented Eubanks and his wife, Kelly, a replica of Eubanks Field.

"I didn't think it'd be a big deal," Eubanks said, "but it's all about what's behind me. All these players and former coaches — family, too... I'm so grateful, so humbled for this. I thank Dr. Kee. Dr. Carter, the school board. When we started this 23 years ago, this was never the goal. The goal was always to try to create an environment where people wanted to come watch us play and to create something that our players wanted to take pride in. Is it the best field? It's not. But it's our field, built by a lot of Mustangs. Seeing all of these guys back, it means a lot. Former and current players. And I couldn't tell you how thankful I am."