Posted by Dan Jensen
Those who played at Carlisle's Creek were very fortunate to have such a great coach. But, some were fortunate to play for more than just one great one and I think Joddie Witte certainly fits into this category. He had our Coach at Webster, Johnnie Frankie at Wharton Junior College, and Milton Jowers at Southwest Texas State. Can any of our alums match that?
Some of our guys played for good or great coaches in college (Boonie Wilkening, Bennie Lenox, and Paul Timmins, etc.) but I don't think any can match Joddie's three. Frankie was a big winner in the juco ranks before moving to Rice as head coach. And, Jowers was great at SWT. If you don't believe me, ask Coach Carlisle.
I too seriously doubt anyone can equal the caliber of coaches Jodie Witte played for during his career. However, Jodie had another accomplishment that few, if any can equal, and likely few even know about. Jodie was the founder, choreographer, and coach of the Follies while playing for Milton Jowers at Southwest Texas. Jodie was playing for the Bobcats when I enrolled, but having to attend classes, study and work, I had little time to attend any games. But, I heard about the Follies from several fellow students and I made time to start attending games. The Follies were outstanding. I don't want to steal Jodie's thunder in this regard, so I'll not say more but will just leave it to him to tell us all about it. How about it Jodie?
Posted by: Garvis Hadley | November 05, 2005 at 10:17 AM
I remember hearing about the Follies, though I don't remember knowing the name, and I would love to hear from the founder himself. While we're waiting, maybe I can offer him a little encouragement to respond quickly and accurately by saying anything coming from SWT (now TSU) is automatically a folly. Just look at some of the teams they had in those days. Even with sketchy memory, I remember vividly when they had such super doopers as Joddie Witte, Boonie Wilkening and Bob Krueger how the Bearkats from Sam took them to the cleaners every year.
Posted by: Pat Jensen | November 05, 2005 at 02:32 PM
We need the previously fabled Ralph Parr, or somebody, to verify this Folly business at Southwest Texas. From what I have heard of Milton Jowers, he would not allow such.
I remember a conversation before an Alvin game at League City. Coach, Les Talley and probably Henry Bauerschlag were talking to Alvin coaches Joe Peery and Aubrey Horner. All played for Jowers and they were discussing how tough he was. But Horner said that he had mellowed by the time he played for him. "He let us play the radio on road trips," he said.
Posted by: Dan Jensen | November 06, 2005 at 08:15 AM
Hey, when a '56 grad says it happened, it happened. Hadley was there and saw it, and I had heard about it too.
Posted by: Pat Jensen | November 06, 2005 at 11:47 AM
I'm changing Krueger's name from Bob to Bill before somebody accuses me of having C-Nile Virus.
Posted by: Pat Jensen | November 06, 2005 at 03:16 PM
Hey, Joddie! When you tell us about the Follies, please share your knowledge of how to tackle Ben Chupik.
Posted by: Pat Jensen | November 11, 2005 at 11:02 AM
If you are referring to missed tackles on Chupik, Joddie wasn't the only one. I remember that guy making a lot of long runs and scoring about four touchdowns, maybe more, against us one night. No telling how many yards gained. Art Goforth was coaching Lamar Consolidated that year.
Posted by: Dan Jensen | November 11, 2005 at 03:27 PM
My son was lucky to play football for Tyler Junior College & in the Trcka tradition we must go to the game even if it's in Ranger, Texas. Out on the plains, cold, wet & late. Looking out on the field I see a familiar stance. It's Jody Witte as head linesman & his crew all the way from Kile,
Tx. We Won! Jody ran to the club house so we did not say Hello. They really put on some miles for that paycheck.
Posted by: Hugh Taylor | November 16, 2005 at 10:07 PM
Joddie is retired but has served as an interim superintendent for several districts. He is now at Van in East Texas and saw that team win a state basketball championship last year.
Posted by: Dan Jensen | November 16, 2005 at 11:21 PM
...and Joddie needs to get in here and tell us all about the Follies that he was allegedly involved in at Southwest Texas when he played for Milton Jowers--who I am shocked that would allow such.
Posted by: Dan Jensen | November 17, 2005 at 08:54 AM
Rumor has it that Joddie Witte will soon be in here to talk about the Southwest Texas Follies. Stay tuned.
I hope he has time to post some Clear Creek items too.
Posted by: Dan Jensen | December 06, 2005 at 04:30 PM
A week ago, Joddie Witte solemnly promised to be in here by now. Has anyone seen a Joddie Witte?
Posted by: Dan Jensen | December 13, 2005 at 09:29 PM