1934
2019
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Jack McKinney
January 26, 2025
Jack McKinney, 1-26-25. Coach Savage was my 9th grade football coach in Borger, TX 1962 at Austin Jr High. He was blessed with a powerful voice as was my friend Dan Rouse in those days. When Coach Savage spoke it was with authority and inspiration. That year we were undefeated except for the last game against our cross town rivals Sam Houston Jr High. They had a star athlete our dear friend to this day, Pete Loftis. When we got onto the bus after that game Coach Savage said in a subdued voice, "It was those dadgum girls." He had told us to forget about the girls and to concentrate on football. Every day with Coach Savage was a day with a caring and encouraging surrogate father. He taught us discipline and commitment. He had a winning attitude and a winning smile. He may have not realized how much it encouraged this 14 year old boy when I returned from surgery at the end of the school year to start practice for the track season and Coach Savage said to the team, "McKinney may be the best one we have out here." Coach, you are the the best one out here.
Dan Rouse
November 16, 2023
It is now November 2023 - nearly 60 years after I worked with Coach Savage. I still frequently think of him. My lone regret perhaps is that I did not stay in touch with Coach Savage. In ~1963, there was, of course, only the US mail and telephone. So, I did not use either means to stay in touch. To others - particularly with "social media" - I encourage you to at least touch base once in awhile with those who have been meaningful to you.
Since I never said it before, I say it now: Thank you, Coach, for being a great mentor and friend for those 8 months or so of my Freshman year at now-non-existent Austin Junior High/Borger TX.
Dan Rouse
November 16, 2022
Thank you, Coach Savage!
In 1963 (Icould be off a year or so), I was the 15 year-old head trainer for the Stephen F. Austin Junior High 9th grade football team - working for Coach Savage. By coincidence, Coach Savage was also my ninth grade science teacher. He excelled at both jobs. On Fridays after a game or practice, he would throw me a set of keys in a worn leather case and say something to the effect of, "Do your thing, Rouse!" Which meant he was headed home but the other two trainers and I had responsibility for cleaning and organizing the training and equipment rooms. It also meant that I had to open the gym and training facilities before the players and coaches arrived around 9am Saturday morning. Coach Savage would come in after many others had arrived. He would find me, smile, and say, "Let's do it, Rouse." That would start another day in what turned out to be one of my best "childhood" years - able to be in a place I liked working alongside a kind but demanding man who taught me a lot of things about managing people (2 trainers who "reported") to me, responsibility, and self-discipline. I never spoke to Coach Savage after we cleaned out the gym and equipment room at the end of the year - but I remember him as one of the 3-4 most positive and influential men in my life.
Richard Martinez
November 16, 2020
HE made you a WINNER, taught you how to Win, Coach made Winners out of average kids like me and most. both athletes and students excelled off the field because of the hard work ethic he entstilled in each and every one of us and thus became very successful and high achievers off the field. He taught life through football and that's the biggest lesson a young man could've ever got. I owe a greatest amount of gratitude to the whole coaching staff and coach Culler to my success and those of many of my dear teammates and friends at BAHS. Well done Coach! I love you and miss you very much. Thank you, I could not have done it without your tough hard skills that were pounded in my soul.
Dan Rouse
October 31, 2020
In 1962-63, I 'worked' for Coach Savage as the 'senior' team manager (trainer) at S. F. Austin Jr Hi in Borger TX for the 9th grade team. I was fortunate to have several adults to look up to - probably none more than Coach Savage. He was always kind and generous in his willingness to allow us to assume more and more responsibility over equipment and facilities. I learned a great deal from him and always remembered him as being a true role model in how we should act in both victory and defeat.
Ron Rowell
November 27, 2019
Bobby was not only a friend but a mentor to me when I started work at Bel Air High School. I have talked, by phone, on a regular basis with Bobby for the past 15-20 years. He truly loved being a teacher and coach. I will miss our conversations. Rest in Peace.
Ron Rowell
Judy Krohn
November 26, 2019
I had the honor of knowing Bob Savage first when I was a student at Eastwood High School and second as a professional colleague when I taught at Bel Air High School. He believed that students were our future and lived each day to reflect that belief. He cared, and his caring touched the lives of so many students.
This is entered with respect and prayers.
November 24, 2019
You will greatly be missed coach Savage may you rest in peace
Denise A Gonzalez
Maria Arviza
November 24, 2019
God bless you, Coach. It's not often you have grown ups that believe in kids. Luckily, you were one who led by example. Thank you for all you did for students at Bel Air and the community. May you rest in peace.
Bob Savage, Juni Mathews, Armenia Smith, Rick Culler I was honored to work with the best.
Juni Mathews
November 23, 2019
Marcy Moreno ( Ex Highlander, Class of 1978)
November 23, 2019
My deepest condolences to the family. May he Rest In Peace and May God give you comfort in this difficult time.
Coach Savage, because of your success with coaching our football team we chose the song We are the Champions as our Senior Song. You brought lots of joy to me and to my 5 siblings during our high school years. Thanks for the great memories!
me on the right with my brother Danny. before Eastwood game
November 23, 2019
I was very proud to play under this great coach. His inspiring pre game speeches and halftime speeches always got me. He always pumped us up for every game. He made me a captain for one of my most mermorable football games I ever played. We played Eastwood in the Sun Bowl, Nov 4th, 1976. He taught us leadership, discipline and to have respect not only for us but to everybody around us. He will always be one of the best if not the best greatest coach in El Paso high school football history. Thanks for the memories coach. R.I.P.
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