The symbolism of seeing Foster on the field, on the sidelines, which must be his favorite place on Earth, in this stadium one that we are all proud of just the way he used to in those days of yesteryear when the likes of Jerry Turnbow, Frank Chisum, Enrique "Gorila" Ibarra, "Wire" Rodriguez, Eddie Porter, Hector Fisher, and Hector Garza were taking the field on any given Friday.
"Sometimes when a stadium is named after someone it's to preserve a memory," stated EPISD Board President Ignacio Saucedo, "In this case, it's to preserve a legacy."
"Today's Coach Foster and his lovely wife Martha's 65th wedding anniversary so for this we congratulate them," stated EPISD Superintendent Gilbert Gonzalez, "He is a great mentor, role model and teacher and has molded his players into future leaders. And to our veterans, Coach Foster also served in the US Marines and let us not forget the heroes who lost their lives protecting our freedoms."
"From this day forward this stadium will be known as Cozel Foster-Vetran's Memorial Stadium," closed the leader of the Eagle Pass ISD.
The Eagles went on to win the District Championship in 1955 and three of the members of this team were present at the ceremony including Curtis Kirchner who spoke at length of the accolades, accomplishments and achievements of this great man, "Coach Gordon Wood of the Brownwood Lions, nine-time state champions knaew exactly who Cozel Foster was and he would tell you or anyone that he ran the exact same offense and defense Coach Foster would en route to these multiple championships."
"Everybody knows that Ol' ex-Marine, you're a lucky man to have played for him," stated Wood.
"The best coaches will tell you 'Marry well' and after 65 years since June 27, 1948 in Borger, Texas, his wife Martha has been by his side," closed Coach Kirchner who along with Wood won a State Championship when he lead his Ennis Lions onto Kyle Field ending Cuero's 44 game winning streak that year, yes using Coach Cozel Foster's exact same offensive and defensive philosophy.
"My wife is special," stated Coach Foster who turned and looked lovingly into the eyes of his wife Martha who sat among their three daughters, their grandchildren Chad and Savannah, family and friends on this beautiful June evening at the new stadium which will forever more carry his name, "It takes a special woman to be a coach's wife when you have to sit in the stands and have to hear the complaints of the fans every Friday night, but we're still here and we're still together."
"I'm also proud of our veterans," stated Coach Foster, "I have so much to be grateful for. It's as special an honor as I can think of. Many times I think of the good times and the bad times our family has had to suffer. Our son Chad loved Eagle Pass and its people," as all gathered stood and gave a much deserved ovation.
"Tom Brokaw said, and I quote, 'It is, I believe the greatest generation any society has ever produced' and Cozel Foster is a member of this generation.' I can say that he prepared me for boot camp and for what I would face when in Vietnam and for this I am truly grateful. He is one great Texan, one great Marine and one great coach."
My father Sammy Ibarra would have been so proud to know that finally Eagle Pass' great football coach has gotten this honor he and his teammates which include the great Rudy Bowles who was also on hand to see this come to fruition as well as all those who donned the orange and white for this man would agree is an honor much deserved and all those who were fortunate enough to have attended will remember always.