Keith Tuck Memorial Football Game

Charles had the honor of playing in the Keith Tuck Memorial game in Dripping Spring, TX this past weekend.  Our Brother-in-law, Chris Blevins, went to dripping Springs HS so Charles has played deep snapper and defensive end for the Tigers before in previous alumni games.  However, this game was a bit different as we honored a fallen coach.  See the article below from a local paper explaining more about the Memorial game.  Here was the line up of our guys:

#79- Charles
#13- Chris Blevins
#6- Brian Everett (Chris's cousin)
#33- Vick King (good friend/former NFL football player)

Alumni gridiron game honors late coach

Keith Tuck, a former coach at both Lake Travis and Dripping Springs who died in November, will be honored at this weekend’s memorial alumni football game between Dripping Springs and Lake Travis high schools.

On March 1, two rival high school sports teams will come together on the football field in support and memory of a man who touched the lives of both schools and communities.

Both Dripping Springs and Lake Travis lost a pillar of the community when longtime youth coach Keith Tuck died Nov. 7. Tuck retired last year after 16 years as a high school softball coach at Lake Travis, Dayton and Dripping Springs, so that he would be able to spend more time with his family. In particular, Tuck wanted to spend time with his newborn grandson.

Tuck was not only a coach to a wide range of young athletes, but he was a coach for entire communities. Friends, students and athletes described him as a mentor, a friend, a support system, a helpline, a father figure and an inspiration to all.

The Lake Travis/Dripping Springs alumni football teams have played each other three times in previous years, with Lake Travis having won twice. This game however, will be for something much greater than a win, say the men involved in the game.

Dripping Springs alumni coach Ryan Bonnett has been working since last summer to heighten the community awareness of the football game. Tuck’s death only increased Bonnett’s dedication to the event.

“When we heard Coach Tuck had passed away, it just kind of came to me one day that we should turn our game into a memorial game,” Bonnett said. “After all, he coached at both schools. After the family gave me their blessing to use his name, we ran with it.”

In July, Bonnett started planning this year’s game with a new company called Gridiron Glory Alumni Football. He built a Facebook page, and the word started to spread. The event gained sponsors from many surrounding companies to help with some of the costs. A portion of all proceeds will go to the Brittany Tuck Memorial Scholarship Fund to help students in Lake Travis, Dripping Springs and Dayton.

Clark Hanley, the head coach of the Lake Travis alumni team, said the higher profile of the upcoming game testifies to the impact that Tuck made on both communities.

“Prior to this, our games were much lower key and did not garner much attention from the communities,” he said. “I am very appreciative to have known [Tuck]. He had an immediate influence on me when I moved to the (Lake Travis) community and, based on the feedback and scope of the game now, I was not the only benefactor.

“I am honored to be a part of the game and am looking forward to matchup.”

By Hannah Neumann