On Thursday, 28 October 2010, officials from the Austin Football Chapter of the Texas Association of sports officials presented a plaque to the wife and
son of 18 year official William "Bill" Spreen at the pregame ceremony prior to the Bastrop and Elgin varsity football game. Bill, a longtime member of
the Bastrop community, served on the Bastrop ISD Memorial Stadium design committee, helping influence the size and presence of the officials dressing
rooms.
The Austin Chapter originally contacted the Bastrop ISD requesting the placement of a 4x6 plaque in the official locker room. Henry Gideon, Chief
Operating Officer for the district, was on the committee with Bill and recommend that Bill be the first person honored in the stadium with a
plaque. According to Mr. Gideon "Bastrop Memorial ISD Stadium was built as a place to honor outstanding citizens from the local community." With
Bill's involvement in the community, and assistance in the stadium design, Mr. Gideon could not think of a better person to be the first one honored in
the stadium. "The school district was a pleasure to work," with said Jim Van Geffen, Austin TASO member. "Mr. Gideon went out of his way to make the
night a huge success, and even recommend the Elgin game for the ceremony because it was a televised game." The ceremony was shown live as part of
the kick off lead in segment on the KXAN Big Game of the Week and televised on KBVO-TV.
During the pregame ceremony, 10 minutes before the coin toss, Bill's wife Linda and son Buddy, were joined by members of the Austin Football Chapter
Board of Directors and members of Bill's family including his parents and his brothers, as the Austin Chapter presented a plaque honoring Bill.
During the presentation, the public address announcer read the following:
"Bill, as he was known to the officiating community, officiated Texas high school football for 18 seasons, working many games here in Bastrop. Bill
also had the distinction of serving Bastrop ISD as a member of the district's design committee that both promoted and recommended the stadium
facilities that we are all enjoying today. His love for the game was second only to the love he had for his family. In honor of Bill, the Austin
Football Officials are presenting a plaque to his family, which will be proudly displayed here at the Bastrop ISD Memorial Stadium."
Linda, a teacher in the district, was joined by numerous friends and coworkers on the field for the ceremony.
The plaque was secured to the wall of the entrance to the stadium following the ceremony, so the family could view the plaque in the selected location.
Topping off the ceremony was Buddy, Bill's 12 year old son, flipping the coin for the pregame coin toss.
Public Address Announcement:
Ladies and Gentlemen, we ask that you please turn your attention to the 50 yard line. On the field tonight we have members from the Austin Chapter of the Texas Association of Sports Officials, joined by family members of long-time Bastrop resident Mr. William Spreen.
Bill, as he was known to the officiating community, officiated Texas high school football for 18 seasons, working many games here in Bastrop. Bill also had the distinction of serving Bastrop ISD as a member of the district's design committee that both promoted and recommended the stadium facilities that we are all enjoying today. His love for the game was second only to the love he had for his family. In honor of Bill, the Austin Football Officials are presenting a plaque to his family, which will be proudly displayed here at the Bastrop ISD Memorial Stadium.
Joining the officials on the field tonight are Bill’s wife Linda and son Buddy, his parents William and Esther, his brother Todd, and niece Allison, and his other brother Stephen with his wife Jessica and children Isaac and Sidney.
Fans, we ask at this time that you all please join us in a moment of silence in memory of Bill Spreen.
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