e streeter Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 it was on bissonnett near hillcroft. i think the football stadium is still there but the F.U.N. name is no longer used. i think it was for 5th and 6th graders. they had drillteams and cheerleaders associated with each team. in 6th grade i was raiderette for the raiders who were mostly red elementary students. we had very cool uniforms and had silver glitter on our tennis shoes. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-man Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 it was on bissonnett near hillcroft. i think the football stadium is still there but the F.U.N. name is no longer used. i think it was for 5th and 6th graders. they had drillteams and cheerleaders associated with each team. in 6th grade i was raiderette for the raiders who were mostly red elementary students. we had very cool uniforms and had silver glitter on our tennis shoes.I certainly remember the F.U.N (Football United National) league very well (South Main Mustangs and Frilly Fillies rocked!). As I understand it, the teams were originally affiliated with several elementary schools, primarily in southwest Houston - Parker, Kolter, Anderson, West University, Red, Alameda, etc. Later the teams were supported by booster clubs. Back in the day, the league was extremely well organized and offered a quite good level of competition for elementary aged football. A number of former players actually went on to play professional sports - Greg Swendell, Thurman Thomas, and OJ Brigance played FUN football, and I'm sure there were others. The competition for the girls drill teams ("the drill bowl") was only slightly less intense, and I remember the Westbury Cougarettes and Steerettes putting on particularly lavish performances. Of course, as these areas changed the level of support declined, and I'm not sure what has become of the league. Perhaps someone can add some additional info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
readam Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 Remember FUN but what about the older group of kids that played for the "Baby Oilers"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharpstown Bill Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 Long live the "Richmond Rangers!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redraider Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 (edited) it was on bissonnett near hillcroft. i think the football stadium is still there but the F.U.N. name is no longer used. i think it was for 5th and 6th graders. they had drillteams and cheerleaders associated with each team. in 6th grade i was raiderette for the raiders who were mostly red elementary students. we had very cool uniforms and had silver glitter on our tennis shoes.I was a Redraider from 1970 to 1973. Learned allot under Coach Fowler, made great friends that lasted through high school and it prepaired me for the next leval of football. Edited February 9, 2009 by redraider Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brerrabbit Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 Never played there because I grew up on the wrong side of town but I remember it because at one point they used to televise the games and I remember seeing them on TV. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
earthwoman Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 it was on bissonnett near hillcroft. i think the football stadium is still there but the F.U.N. name is no longer used. i think it was for 5th and 6th graders. they had drillteams and cheerleaders associated with each team. in 6th grade i was raiderette for the raiders who were mostly red elementary students. we had very cool uniforms and had silver glitter on our tennis shoes. My son was in FUN football for The Bears when he was in elementary school. And he went to the field on Bissonnett. He played a few years from 79 to 81 I believe. However, he was too worn out to play football in High School! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dagnabbit Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 I was a Westbury Steer for 4 years, players came mostly from Anderson Elementary. As for the televised games, I believe they were shown Saturday afternoons on channel 39 through the 1969 season. I think Fun Stadium is now used as a soccer stadium, big surprise. However the stadium was used in the mid 80s as the home training facility for the Houston Gamblers of the short lived (USFL) United States Football League. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurap Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 I remember. I was a Sharpstown Tigerette!! The drill team for the Sharpstown Tigers. My brother played for them... I loved it.We went to Sutton elementary and then Ed White. Most of the kids were from the Pat Neff elementary and Ed White elementary area.I remember the cheer: "Nixon, Nixon he's our man, McGovern throw him in the garbage can!" We had no idea what we were saying but it was fun.I competed in the Drill Bowl and it was very exciting. We actually won one year and came in second another. I still have my trophies!We marched at a Rice game, and in the St. Patrick's Day Parade.Marvin Zindler even participated. It was a blast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayman7 Posted July 6, 2009 Share Posted July 6, 2009 Part of the Bad New Bears was shot at FUN field, I believe it was called -- Bad News Bears In Basic Training. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EMME Posted July 6, 2009 Share Posted July 6, 2009 I was on the F.U.N. drill team for the Shamrocks. I'll have to dig up an old photo. For some reason, my mother always lost my S for my uniform, so she would cut out a cardboard one and pin it on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SchwinnChopper68 Posted July 6, 2009 Share Posted July 6, 2009 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsimpson Posted November 3, 2010 Share Posted November 3, 2010 I certainly remember the F.U.N (Football United National) league very well (South Main Mustangs and Frilly Fillies rocked!). As I understand it, the teams were originally affiliated with several elementary schools, primarily in southwest Houston - Parker, Kolter, Anderson, West University, Red, Alameda, etc. Later the teams were supported by booster clubs. Back in the day, the league was extremely well organized and offered a quite good level of competition for elementary aged football. A number of former players actually went on to play professional sports - Greg Swendell, Thurman Thomas, and OJ Brigance played FUN football, and I'm sure there were others. The competition for the girls drill teams ("the drill bowl") was only slightly less intense, and I remember the Westbury Cougarettes and Steerettes putting on particularly lavish performances. Of course, as these areas changed the level of support declined, and I'm not sure what has become of the league. Perhaps someone can add some additional info.I (John Simpson) played RB for the Steers from 74-77Thurman Thomas was a teammate of mine at Willowridge, he didn't play FB til 7th grade and we had to talk him into actually playing after the season started...he did not play FUN football.....I believe OJ did..a couple years behind me... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bellaire Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 Late to the discussion, but I played 4 years in F.U.N. Football for the Parker Cougars. 1963-1966. The Freshman team consisted of 3rd and 4th graders. My coach was Benny Valone and I can still see him kick at the ground and yell "Jimminy Crickets" when we made mistakes. The Varsity team consisted of 5th and 6th graders. My coach was Fred Curry who had played as a lineman for Rice. I think he was an insurance salesman and had all daughters. We had coaches for every position, had trainers and doctors and played a very sophisticated game. Plays called from the press box through the headsets. Rumors were that the Oilers wanted to practice on the field, but were told no. The turf was built for kids. On the Varsity team you couldn't weigh more than 120 pounds at the start of the season. When I was 14 I worked at the stadium as part of the "chain gang" with the down markers. The next year I was promoted to operate the electronic scoreboard and was official timekeeper. Spent a lot of nights and all day on Saturdays there making some pretty good money for someone too young to get a regular part-time job. Great memories. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
along22 Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 Hello All, I just wanted to inform you that F.U.N Football (www.funfootball.org ) still exists, and we still play at the same stadium on 6400 Bissonnet in Bayland Park. I currently serve as the president of the Bellaire Bears (www.bellairebears.org) organization and we are ramping up for the 2014 Season. If you have children that want to cheer or play football consider us. I am actually interested in connecting with former Bellaire Bears football players and cheerleaders, to compile a "Where are they Now" press booklet or informational packet for the current members and there parents. If you played football or cheered for the Bellaire Bears contact me at bellairebears@gmail.com or leave a message on our Facebook Page. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuliaBOldLady Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 Both my brothers played Fun foot ball in the early 60s for the Little Oilers and then I think the Bears? I would have to double check. My Dad was a couch as well. I belong to the "Pom Pom" Girls. Oh that was so many years ago, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bknight Posted June 10, 2016 Share Posted June 10, 2016 Wow, this brings back some memories. My dad coached the South Main Mustanges in the late 70's to the mid 80's ( Coach Fuzzy ). I was just a toddler in those days, actually the first place I ever went was to F.U.N. stadium. I still have all of his memorabilia, like his championship trophies, team photos, and game programs. I know he coached OJ Bigance because we'd go watch him play at Rice and they kept in touch over the years. I remember my dad telling me that some of the Houston Oilers would come out and help coach the team, you don't see that anymore. Great times!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texasmusicman Posted January 25, 2017 Share Posted January 25, 2017 I coached my son for 3 years in F.U.N. football. We started the West Side Rams. If anyone from that organization remembers those days it would be nice to hear from you. I really enjoyed teaching those boys about the game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Wright Posted March 5, 2018 Share Posted March 5, 2018 Yes! I remember! I played first string offensive halfback and defensive end on the Red Elementary School team from 1960 to 1962 Those games were the most fun I’ve ever had in sports. Some of the other team members were Kirk Peters, Ted Smith, Tim Ohearn, David Arnsburger, Tom Johnson, Larry Rubinstein, and Billy Kircheimer. Competion was intense! We had miserable two a day workouts in summer training in 90 degree heat. One was about 7:00 AM. The other about 5:00 PM. Full pads. I got so sore, I could barely get out of bed the morning! Those days were the only time I ever played full pad football. In 1963 I tried out for the Johnston Jr. High team but didn’t make team. Could no longer take the punishment of practice. Most of us also played Little League Baseball in the Willow Creek League. I was on the Pirates. Kircheimer was on the Dodgers. The last year I played, Kircheimer hit a walk off homer off me in the league championship game. Those were the days! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dot Klein Posted May 18, 2020 Share Posted May 18, 2020 Yes!!! I have very fond memories of F.U.N stadium!! I wan on the drill team for the Westbury Steerettes for four years. I loved it so much!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David 1959 Posted July 1, 2020 Share Posted July 1, 2020 I played for the Mustangs in 69-70. The toughest team we played was the red devil's my varsity year. Seems they were from Angleton. Years later I played at Dulles against Angleton and Brazoswood. Those were fun times but 2 a day practice was a real eye opener. I rember the night practice after daylight savings time like around October. That was about the time Monday football started and we would get so pumped up when the stadium lights started flickering as they came on like they would at the start of Monday night football. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattman Posted October 2, 2020 Share Posted October 2, 2020 I played for the Sharpstown Tigers in late 60's and early 70's. I drove by there a few years ago. The stadium wasn't near as big as it seemed as a kid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayne Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 West University Shamrocks 1969. Aired on Channel 39 on Saturdays and all my classmates watched. Great memories. Wayne Norberg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayne Posted June 27, 2021 Share Posted June 27, 2021 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whatchett41 Posted November 10, 2021 Share Posted November 10, 2021 Does anyone have pictures of the Richmond Rangers helmet or logo? Or really all of the logos. I’m trying to make a sweatshirt for my dad. He played in the 70’s Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lyle Milstead Posted January 2, 2022 Share Posted January 2, 2022 On 1/25/2017 at 10:17 AM, Texasmusicman said: I coached my son for 3 years in F.U.N. football. We started the West Side Rams. If anyone from that organization remembers those days it would be nice to hear from you. I really enjoyed teaching those boys about the game. On 1/25/2017 at 10:17 AM, Texasmusicman said: I coached my son for 3 years in F.U.N. football. We started the West Side Rams. If anyone from that organization remembers those days it would be nice to hear from you. I really enjoyed teaching those boys about the game. We were called the “Voss West Rams”. My Father, Charlie Milstead, coached us to 3 consecutive championships in ‘77, ‘78, & ‘79. I have the ‘79 game ball to this day! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave W Posted January 3, 2022 Share Posted January 3, 2022 16 hours ago, Lyle Milstead said: We were called the “Voss West Rams”. My Father, Charlie Milstead, coached us to 3 consecutive championships in ‘77, ‘78, & ‘79. I have the ‘79 game ball to this day! I remember your father from the Oilers, and the Aggies before that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oyster Posted April 17, 2022 Share Posted April 17, 2022 On 3/26/2009 at 10:37 AM, laurap said: I remember. I was a Sharpstown Tigerette!! The drill team for the Sharpstown Tigers. My brother played for them... I loved it. We went to Sutton elementary and then Ed White. Most of the kids were from the Pat Neff elementary and Ed White elementary area. I remember the cheer: "Nixon, Nixon he's our man, McGovern throw him in the garbage can!" We had no idea what we were saying but it was fun. I competed in the Drill Bowl and it was very exciting. We actually won one year and came in second another. I still have my trophies! We marched at a Rice game, and in the St. Patrick's Day Parade. Marvin Zindler even participated. It was a blast. Ohhhh, I was one of the the starting running backs for maybe 74 - 78. We sucked bad, but it was a ton of fun. I’ve a pic I can upload … I got to go home and dig it up. I lived in tam o shanter street and went to Neff then Auty then second Baptist, then out of town and off the team. when the net first grew big in the mid 90s I found video of some of the games. Sadly not of the Tigers. We were filmed too I recall. We’re is that footage! Of us getting killed! Boy what ide give. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.