By Jake Schwab
With the alumni celebration of former students of all decades Friday evening, everyone is once again reminded of the wonderful Mr. and Mrs. Lee Barnes.
RiverScene Magazine got a chance to talk with Lee and Millie Barnes about the new field, as well as what it felt like for them to be back celebrating the Fighting Knights.
Lee Barnes was clear in stating the kids should be honored for the work they put in on the field, as there would be no sports without players. He said he wants the kids to be remembered with this celebration, as they are the ones the field was made for.
Lee Barnes explained how he, over the years, has seen many former players of his as well as students go on to do terrific things in life and make names for themselves whether it had to do with athletics or not.
Former LHHS coach Lee Barnes cuts the ribbon to celebrate the first game on the new field. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene
Lee Barnes went on to say how joyous he was to reacquaint with his former players and reminisce on the days when he was at the helm of many undefeated teams, providing them with leadership and strategies that kept the team always going.
When asked who he thought would win (if we couldn’t have already guessed the former legend of a coach’s answer) Lee Barnes said he knew the Knights would end up victorious.
When asked what his favorite memory had been over the years, Lee Barnes said the year where the team had gone undefeated, which unfortunately also resulted in his least favorite memory of that same team losing their first playoff game.
Regardless, Lee Barnes will be remembered for his coaching abilities, and his ability to rally a team.
His wife Millie Barnes had also explained to me the hardships the team used to face on the road, as well as sometimes at home. She explained how there used to be no road to Parker and travel required alternate routes and longer trips for the team. She also said Donkey Trail was the only real way to get there.
Lee and Millie Barnes pose for a photo before the LHHS Golden Shovel game. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene
Millie Barnes shed light on how wonderful the fans were. She went on to say, “The bleachers were always full, whether the game was at home or away. The fans, they followed the team everywhere and attended every game. Lake Havasu has been a great city, we came here in 1969 and have had a great school since year one with a great community behind it.”
Lee and Millie Barnes, both former teachers of math (Lee) as well as history and P.E. (Millie), had many nice things to say about not only Lake Havasu High School, but more importantly, they also reflected on why Lake Havasu City is a place that brought them the wonderful memories they share today.
Here are highlight photos from the Golden Shovel game including alumni photos.
LHHS alumni pose for a photo before the Golden Shovel game. Erin O’Callaghan/RiverScene
LHHS 1970s alumni pose with Lee and Millie before the Golden Shovel Game. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene
LHHS alumni from 1969-present pose for a photo before the Golden Shovel game. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene
LHHS alumni Thad and Terry Trinko pose for a photo before the Gold Shovel game. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene
Erin O’Callaghan/RiverScene
Erin O’Callaghan/RiverScene
1970s LHHS alumni walk in the parade before the Golden Shovel game. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene
1980s LHHS alumni walk in the parade before the Golden Shovel game. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene
1990s LHHS alumni walk in the parade before the Golden Shovel game. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene
2000’s LHHS alumni walk in the parade before the Golden Shovel game. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene
LHHS alumni walk in the parade before the Golden Shovel game. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene
LHHS alumni and football player Greg Gibbs holds up a helmet before the game on the field. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene
The new bleachers were full at the Golden Shovel game. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene
Former coach Lee Barnes cuts the ribbon for the new LHHS field Friday night.
The Fighting Knights run onto the field at the start of the Golden Shovel game. Erin O’Callaghan/RiverScene
The 1969 Freshman LHHS Fighting Knights. Photo courtesy Loren Holmes
LHHS Alumni pose for a photo prior to the Golden Shovel game. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene
LHHS football player Loron Holmes scrapbooks full of memories. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene
I was very glad to see Lee and Millie be able to attend the game and be able to visit and tell their story and remembrances of that first season. I am sure that there were also quite a few alumni that attended that also like renewing their old friendships wit Lee and Millie. I know that there were many more alumni that were at the game than walked in the “parade of the decades” at the game and many that expressed interest from afar that showed their interest in the event but were there or sent their support the Battling Knights for another victory and retention of the Golden Shovel award. The only thing I was a little disappointed in, was that the LHHS and Booster Club missed on , was not having a commemorative program available for this huge event. It seems to me that it would have been a natural and would have been a real money maker for the school and Booster Club. In fact they should do a program with players pictures, names and stats, they can use spots in the program for sponsors, schedules and could also cover the JV , and B teams as well. Again Thanks to Jillian Danielson and her Staff at River Scene Magazine for another great job covering another Havasu quality event.