Section H will always hold a special place in the heart of Ellen Hutchins.
With home grandstands over 40 years old, Elizabethton City Schools is demolishing the structure at Brown-Childress Stadium to make way for potential classroom expansion with the visitor’s side renovated with a new press box.
And while the Elizabethton High Cyclones currently march on the field at Citizens Bank Stadium, community members have taken the time out to share their fond memories grandstands at Brown-Childress.
The memories stick in the mind of Ellen and the rest of the Hutchins family. During a trip to the field Thursday, the family were able to share moments of the structure that still resonates with the Elizabethton community.
“I grew up right up the street,” Ellen said. “My dad (Ogden Shook) at the time was a member of the school board. Every evening, we walked down here and watched them build the stands. I think I watched almost every block go up.”
Ellen shared a laugh recalling the moment when she was six years old, sneaking into the stands to pick out her family seats in Section H, which they sat in during each high school football game.
“My father wanted to sit under the ledge, but I didn’t want to for whatever reason,” Ellen said with a smile.
Demolition got underway this week, and Ellen has been on the forefront documenting the work each day.
“I know we have to move on and I know they’ll be more memories at the new stadium, but this is where my heart is,” she said. “I felt like I lost a member of my family when this starts. I know that sounds silly but that’s how I truly felt. My heart is right here. My mom (Joy Shook) was also on the school board later on. I have two brothers with Down Syndrome … and each Friday night we’d come to football games. We didn’t leave until the games were over. The Cyclones were always the winners.”
Ellen’s husband, Charlie, is a football official and refereed his first football game at the stadium.
“I refereed a lot of games down here,” he said. “I went to school at Elizabethton and have great memories from here.”
Charlie added that one of his fondest moments at the game was officiating a contest involving former Elizabethton High standout and current Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten.
“It was a substate game, I believe against Knox Center, and it was super cold,” Charlie recalled. “I talked my dad into coming, and that was the first time he had been to a game since my sister graduated high school. Elizabethton lost in overtime but the atmosphere … you just felt something special, and it was a moment that really stuck out to me.”
Charlie seconded his wife’s sentiments about while the new stadium is an asset, Brown-Childress still holds memories.
“The new stadium is great, and it’s great thing for the kids,” he said. “It’ll be a place for new memories, but of us older people, this will always mean a lot to us.”
Young Scott Bowers, a student a T.A. Dugger, also shared his thoughts, recalling his time marching onto the field with the band. With a family history of band members, he said he enjoyed walking out the field and loved watching his siblings perform during their time with the band.
“There are thousands of stories from people,” Ellen said. “Each day I’ve come down, people have driven by and stopped. There’s been a lot of people that are sharing their stories about their time in the grandstands.”
Charlie added, “It’s a connection. My wife posted photos on Facebook and to see the reaction she’s gotten is incredible. It’s great to see the connection of people coming together and sharing the memories.”
Once demolition is finalized, the expectation is that once the demolition is completed, the school would look into expanding STEM classrooms. The visitors sound is outfitted as the sole bleachers for middle school activities.