Before the Athens High School football team celebrated its victory against longtime rival the Decatur Red Raiders, Friday, Oct. 25, to clinch a playoff berth — droves of fans and former players joined to celebrate 50 seasons of Golden Eagles football at Athens Stadium.

“It’s not surprising to see the amount of support here, they love football here in Athens and that Golden Eagle Pride runs deep in our community,” Jimmy Woodroof, former AHS player and longtime Limestone County judge, told the News-Courier. “There are so many great things and so many great memories this stadium has seen over the years. This tremendous turnout tonight shows all of the love people have for this team’s history.”

In commemoration of the semi-centennial milestone, Woodroof, along with Hall of Fame head coach Larry McCoy, dedicated a portion of land on the west side of the stadium to the preservation of history at Athens Stadium and the school’s three state championships.

“This was coach McCoy’s vision, he was the one that got the ball rolling on this project,” Woodroof said. “What he has meant — and continues to mean — to our program is a testament to all of the work he has put into this community and school. The respect people have for him is clearly evident.”

McCoy was the main signal caller in Athens from 1966 until 1975, boasting a 70-32-3 record in his 10 seasons. McCoy was the first head coach to take the field at Athens Stadium — winning the school’s first state championship in his first year at the newly minted facility — which is now known as Larry McCoy Field at Athens Stadium.

“I’m just thinking back 50 years ago, when we had coach Bear Bryant dedicate the stadium and seeing all the people here then,” McCoy said. “Not many of those people are still around, so it just means the world to me to see this ceremony now. It seems the older you get the more you appreciate and the more people appreciate you, so I’m just happy to be here.”

The dedicated portion of the stadium features three special markers that detail the history of the three state championship teams, as well as a large placard that features some of the most notable moments at Athens Stadium. The placard was made possible through funds from the Athens City Schools Foundation.

“When they approached us with the proposal for this project, it was just a unanimous yes,” Marcia Day, president of ACSF, said. “Sports are a big part of the education system. We want to support all aspects of education and we were delighted to do this in memory of all the work that has been done here. I worked here with coach McCoy and I was here when this stadium first opened, so it’s an honor to get this done.”