State Senator Rupie Phillips put in a formal request at the Logan Board of Education meeting Tuesday, March 26th to rechristen the George Queen football stadium in honor of the late William "Tootie" Carter.
LOGAN The Man High School football stadium may possibly be renamed in honor of a beloved coach.
William “Tootie” Carter passed away in January. He coached the Man Hillbillies football program for nearly thirty years and his passing impacted the Triadelphia community, Logan County as a whole and not to mention statewide sports.
State Senator Rupie Phillips spoke at the Logan County Board of Education meeting Tuesday Evening. Senator Phillips formally requested a memorial name change at Man’s football stadium. The stadium is currently named after George Queen. Phillips submitted a letter from the Queen family with no objection to the name change.
“I think it’s well deserving. Tootie is an icon,” Phillips said. “He touched a lot of kids’ hearts, minds and the community loves him. We miss him. I wish he was still here. I wish he could see it. But the one thing for sure, Tootie is seeing what we’re doing from Heaven.”
County Superintendent Jeff Huffman says the request has to go before the state superintendent of schools. Huffman said his interactions with Carter were limited, but added the coach left a lasting impression.
“I never got to know Coach Carter. I did have the opportunity to speak with him a few times,” Superintendent Huffman said. “It didn’t take long to figure out what a quality man he truly, truly was and what he stood for.”
The Hillbillies advanced to postseason twelve times with Carter. Man finished as the state runners-up in 1977, 1980 and 1984.
Tootie’s widow, Beverly Ann, and many members of the Carter family were on hand for the Senator’s formal request to change the stadium’s name.
PHOTO | AM Stone