Celebrating "A Gator Tradition" will highlight the 2013 Dickinson High School Homecoming festivities as Dickinson ISD honors the 75th anniversary of Gator football in the district. Several events are scheduled the week of September 16 to show school and community spirit, including the annual Homecoming Parade, Community Pep Rally, Crowning of the Homecoming Queen and King, honoring DHS alumnus Donnie Little with a football jersey retirement and, of course, the DHS Homecoming game.
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Homecoming Pep Rally, Community Pep Rally
Crowning of the Homecoming King and
Jersey Retirement Ceremony honoring Donnie Little
Homecoming festivities will kick off on Wednesday, September 18 with the annual Dickinson High School Homecoming Parade. Donnie Little will serve as the Grand Marshal of the parade, which starts at 5:30 p.m. at the shopping center at the corner of FM 517 and FM 1266 (Dickinson Avenue). Line-up for those participating in the parade is at 4:45 p.m. The community is invited to line the streets to watch the parade as it heads down FM 517, turning on Baker Drive in front of Dickinson High School and ending at Sam Vitanza Stadium. The parade will feature lots of floats and other entries from schools throughout Dickinson ISD as well as community groups promoting the theme of "A Gator Tradition."
Immediately following the parade, a Community Pep Rally is planned at Sam Vitanza Stadium highlighted by a recognition of the football players, performances by the Band, Cheerleaders and Diamonds Drill Team, parade awards, crowning of the Homecoming King and a ceremony to retire the football jersey of Donnie Little. A reception is planned at the end of the pep rally in the foyer of the Dickinson High School competition gymnasium for those wanting a chance to talk to Little. In case of inclement weather, the pep rally will also be held inside the gymnasium.
Little is being honored in recognition of his contributions to both high school and college football. He started playing football at Dickinson High School during his junior year and helped the team make an appearance in the playoffs in 1976. He went on to lead Dickinson High School as quarterback to a victory at the 1977 Class 3A Football State Championship.
After graduating from Dickinson High School in 1978, Little is remembered by many as the first black quarterback to start for the University of Texas Longhorns Football Team. His contributions to football were recognized when he was inducted into the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame during a ceremony in Waco this past May. Little and his wife, Janice, reside in Round Rock, Texas. The couple has two sons who have followed in their father's footsteps of playing high school football. Little is proud to say that the first song his sons ever learned was the "Gator Fight Song." A football jersey bearing Little's number, #1, will be framed and on display in the Dickinson ISD Barry Lussier Field House later this year.
Friday, September 20, 2013
Crowning of the Homecoming Queen
and Homecoming Game
The Homecoming Game is scheduled for Friday, September 20 at Sam Vitanza Stadium. Everyone is encouraged to arrive early, by 6:30 p.m., for the pre-game Homecoming festivities, including the introduction of the Homecoming Court and the crowning of the 2013 Homecoming Queen. Game time kickoff is at 7 p.m. At halftime, stay to be entertained by the Dickinson High School Gator Marching Band and the Dickinson Diamonds Drill Team, as well as the Dickinson High School Cheerleaders throughout the game. Donnie Little and his family will be recognized at the end of the halftime performances for his contributions to the Gator football program.
