For most of the first 40-plus years of Shotwell Stadium’s existence, Jack Stuard was the “Voice of Shotwell,” serving as the public address announcer for both Abilene High School and Cooper High School football games.

Legions of Abilene football fans can still hear the rich baritone voice calling out players and plays or penalties for the “Eagles” or “Cooper,” which Stuard pronounced as “KEH-per.”

Stuard, who was a teacher and administrator in the Abilene ISD for more than 40 years before retiring, began working as the PA announcer at Shotwell in 1963 and served in that capacity for 43 seasons, through the end of the 2005 season. He was inducted into the Big Country Sports Hall of Fame in 2009 and passed away in February 2019.

Late in his tenure, he gave up doing PA for Abilene High games and performed those duties for only Cooper games. The man who took over for him doing Abilene High games was Mike Coffey, at the time an elementary school teacher (Bowie, Thomas, Austin, Bassetti) and who now is retired from teaching. 

Coffey, who pastors two rural churches and produces a morning radio show on KGNZ, became Abilene High’s PA man in 2004 as Stuard began to cut back on his workload. Two seasons later Coffey became the new “Voice of Shotwell” for both the Eagles and Cougars as Stuard stepped away from the booth.

Coffey and his spotter, former AISD principal Mac Hurley, who has been in the booth for more than 35 years, called their last regular-season game ever in the existing press box on Oct. 28 when the Cougars hosted Lubbock. The pair are awaiting any potential playoff assignments before the existing press box is torn down and replaced by a new structure before next season.

Before that new box rises above the west stands at AISD’s historic football stadium, Coffey sat down to answer a few questions about serving as the new “Voice of Shotwell,” what he’s enjoyed the most, and what he anticipates is on the horizon moving into the new PA booth.

Q: When did you take over doing both AHS and Cooper games? 

Coffey: Nineteen years ago. In my first year of announcing, I did the Abilene High games and Mr. Stuard did the Cooper games. I remember exactly where I sat in the stands on my last game before announcing while listening to Jack.

Q: Who approached you about taking over for Jack Stuard, and do you remember that conversation?

Coffey: I was approached by a friend of mine in Sunday School at First Baptist Church who knew that Jack was starting to think about retirement.  I don’t remember the conversation or my reaction, I just remember some scary dreams I had before my first game.

Q: You replaced a man in Jack Stuard who was the “Voice of Shotwell” for so many years. What was your No. 1 concern or worry in taking his chair?  

Coffey: I had no concerns or worries about taking over for Mr. Stuard. He sat me down and explained everything and then I sat with him watching a few games, and then he sat with me for the first game I announced. We talked and he shared the entire time. I also had the privilege of having Mac Hurley in the box as well and he has been solid for more than 35 years. I was in good hands.

Q: You’ve worked with Mac Hurley for a long time up there. What have you learned about him, and how much he helps you?

Coffey: Mac is vital to the broadcasts. I could never get as much information needed in those split seconds without him. Mac watches the defenses closely and never misses a tackle. I will call the offensive players and he will call the tacklers and penalties and the like. He is also quite the expert on trivia, wildlife facts, silly jokes, and current events (for timeout use only). Mac is also very positive and supportive when I do get tongue-tied or confused. To me, Mac is the boss of the press box.

Q: You’re working in one of the legendary high school stadiums in this part of the state. What are some of your most memorable moments?  

Coffey: It was exciting the night that the production crew from “Friday Night Lights” was in town and the stadium for some video footage to use in the movie. The director had a microphone on me for part of the game and during the movie, it was so entertaining watching crowd shots and seeing some of the players and fans in the movie.

Q: Do you recall a favorite game or favorite moment on the field?  

Coffey: The first game of a new season is always the most exciting game of the year and I do remember a few times in the Crosstown Showdown where there were close to 15,000 fans in the stadium. It was also exciting to have the opportunity to do the Six-Man state championship games. Mac and I got to host those for several years here in town.

 Q: What is your preparation like for a Friday night game?  

Coffey: Most preparation for me comes in the ninety minutes before the game when we are getting rosters prepared and pre-game announcements ready. We just need to be ready for
last-minute changes that are a weekly occurrence. When the game starts Mac and I become fans like everyone else.

Q: You’re saying goodbye to the original Shotwell press box soon; how much are you anticipating being in the new box next fall and have you thought about what that night will be like?

Coffey: I will miss my old space. There are certain little idiosyncrasies in that place that will be changed I am sure, and I am probably the only one who will miss this place. I will say some very talented people have made the press box function superbly for many years. It is past its prime, but the people I work with on Friday nights find ways to overcome the challenges.