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Gussie Nell Davis, posthumously
Southwestern Bell Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame Class of 1999
Acceptance Speech presented by Deanna
Bolton Covin,
past director of the Kilgore Rangerettes
Thanks, Craig (James), for that nice
introduction, and thanks to the Cotton Bowl Association for having us
here. I would also like to thank Southwestern Bell for keeping the many
Cotton Bowl traditions, and for expanding these traditions by adding this
Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame. And I would be remiss if I didn't thank the
selection committee for choosing Miss Davis to be inducted into this Class
of '99.It is indeed an honor for me to accept this award on behalf of Miss
Davis. Of the many honors and awards she has received, this one would have
been her favorite–for she loved the Cotton Bowl. She was always here–in
the rain–in the sleet–in the ice–in the snow. she had her girls here and
ready to perform. But, each time before entering the stadium, she would
say, "Let's go get a corny dog!" We did this every year.
She loved the Cotton Bowl Ball–where she
would see such wonderful people as Field and Mary Scovell, Wilbur Evans,
Lindsey Nelson, Felix McKnight, Lamar Hunt and Mr. Bradley, the
photographer who always took our picture. Miss Davis enjoyed working with
halftime director, Harry Barton, who had us perform during the
half–sandwiched between the two participating university bands. For
example, Notre Dame vs. Texas. We had 5 minutes. They each had 6 1/2
minutes. But, Notre Dame complained that they wanted more time so we were
moved to pre-game. That was fine with Miss Davis, for now we had 7 1/2
minutes and we could do our complete Kilgore College football field
performance.
And now, once again, we are featured at
halftime with our own special routine. And, during the finale, we are
center stage. I am certain that Miss Davis is smiling down on Mike Miller,
the present pageantry director. He has given the Cotton Bowl pageantry a
new and unique concept and the Rangerettes are proud to be a part of it.
Miss Davis was a living legend, and in
death, she leaves behind a lasting legacy. When she created the
Rangerettes, she gave America a new art form – the dancing drill team. She
made a difference in the lives of thousands of young women. She made a
difference to the world of entertainment, and obviously, she made a
difference to the Cotton Bowl. The Rangerettes first performed here in
1949. They skipped 1950, but returned in 1951, and they will celebrate
their 50th consecutive appearance on January 1, 2000.
Miss Davis died on December 20, 1993. It
was a shock to everyone. the papers throughout the state carried the news
of her death–many times on the front page. Editorials were written – the
Texas Monthly printed her picture in the State of the Art section. During
the visitation time of her funeral, Judy Hale, her first captain, was
overheard to say, "One night we will look into the sky and see 48 stars
all lined up in a row, with 5 brighter stars out front, for Gussie Nell
was there, and she would see to it!"
I haven't seen the stars lined up yet, and
I'm still looking. But I never see the red, white and blue flags nor hear
the Battle Hymn of the Republic being played, or come to the Cotton Bowl
on New Year's Day, that I don't think about this extraordinary individual
– Gussie Nell Davis.
So, as I accept her handsome trophy, I
would like for those representing Kilgore College and for all her
Rangerettes past and present to stand.... I shall place this statue in the
Rangerettes Museum in honor of Kilgore College and in honor of all the
Rangerettes and all of the Rangerette Forevers who have been a part of
this great Cotton Bowl Classic. I do this for Miss Davis. And to everyone
in the audience, thanks for being here today. Your presence has made this
special occasion even more special. |
