Coach Ronnie Gage Personifies Brotherhood
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Updated: May 6, 2015
The Brotherhood of Texas High School Football is made up of anyone who ever played varsity football in Texas. Whether a blue chip recruit or the third string punter, if they played "the greatest sport in the greatest state" ™ they are part of this brotherhood. These are their stories:
Brotherhood Stories: Ronnie Gage C/S Decatur 1971
Like all teenagers, Ronnie Gage’s early years were filled with both good memories and bad. But often times when he reflects back on those days, they bring a smile to his face.
Gage, now the athletic director and head football coach at Barbers Hill, remembers fondly of growing up in Decatur, looking forward to becoming an Eagle as every young man did.
“It was unique growing up as a kid in a town where everyone knew everyone,” recalls Gage. “Looking up to the players before us and just waiting for the time I could become an Eagle.”
It was a unique time to grow up in Decatur, one that took Gage on a unique course into the coaching profession.
Early days
“My experience as a player in high school was tremendous,” said Gage. “When we tell kids they are making lifetime memories it is so true.”
Gage played his high school ball for the Decatur Eagles in the 1960s, a time when athletics was always important ... and still is today.
“It was not unusual to have 15 to 20 people there to watch practice each day,” said Gage. “I am not just talking about dads with an agenda. I am talking about old timers that loved the game of football.”
The old stories of town shutting down on Friday nights, just to watch high school football, was not more prevalent than in Decatur.
“The town shut down on game night and the coffee shops were full on Saturday morning,” Gage said.
To this day, Gage can remember teammates, opponents, plays and the story lines that followed each game.
"I can remember the streamers on the goal post and of course the games themselves,” said Gage. “I remember the smell of the grass and the two-a-days and all the stories that went with them, the white cotton practice jerseys that were hotter than ever, the salt tablets that we took, the Nitrotan for all the scrapes and the small cup of water we got for water breaks. You had to be tough in that time to play the game, but we loved it. We grew up in a good time and I would not trade my experience as a high school athlete for anything.”
More than a mentor
In that time, he played for Decatur under the late head coach Neal Wilson, who would go on to become more than just a gridiron mentor for Gage.
“I lost my dad when I was 13, so the coaches were like an extended family to me,” said Gage. “The reason I am coaching today is a direct result of the experience I had in high school.”
Gage said Wilson helped play a role in his development as a man as well as a coach. Gage would go on to become an assistant under Wilson.
“Coach Wilson taught me the importance of hard work, team and working for a common goal,” said Gage. “He was a man of integrity and character and a coach you would go the extra mile for.
“The values I have today as a coach is a direct result of the example my high coaches (especially coach Wilson) set for me.”
Undersized and successful
After graduating in 1971, coaching wasn’t such a bad decision for Gage, who was an undersized 150-pound center in high school.
“I knew if I wanted to stay in athletics I needed to pursue the coaching field,” he said. “To be quite honest, that is what motivated me through college. My desire to coach was strong and I admired the men that had paved the path for me.”
Gage has coached for 38 years and has had no regrets, “I love the profession and I would do it again if I had to start over tomorrow,” said Gage. “Things have changed a lot over the years and we as educators and coaches just adjust, adapt and continue to move forward.”
As society, and youngsters, have changed, Gage changed right along with it.
“Now more than ever coaches are needed,” he said. “The work ethic, the values and the importance of working toward a common goal are things we can teach and demand as coaches. The principles and discipline behind being an athlete are so important for our youth today.
James and Ronnie Gage coach together at Barbers Hill
“I know coaches make a difference. I hope as I continue to walk out that back door onto the practice field each day, I can be a positive influence as my coaches were for me. This profession we call coaching is the best and it has been so good to me. I am so proud to wear the title of ‘Coach.’”
by Gary Martin
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