The city proclaimed Feb. 20 San Marcos Pony League Champions Day in honor of the 1964 team, which was coached by the late Alonzo Hardge. From left are Mayor Jane Hughson, Alonzo Hardge III, Kelli Hardge (holding toddler), Herman Hardge, Greg Holmes, Helen Franks, Royce Holmes, Johnnie Bratton, Michael Armstead, Dr. Elvin Holt, Ralph Merriweather, Rose Brooks and Lorene Burleson. Don Anders photo
City honors 1964 Pony League champs
The city of San Marcos recently honored the Hornets Pony League baseball team by proclaiming Feb. 20 as 1964 San Marcos Pony League Champions Day. Here is the text of that proclamation.
WHEREAS, the Hornets baseball team was organized in the late 1950s by Rev. I. H. Pierce to give teen boys an opportunity to develop athletic abilities, self-discipline, and teamwork; and
WHEREAS, Coach Alonzo Hardge Jr., a World War II veteran and the volunteer coach of the Hornets, kept the team competitive without the benefit of a sponsor, transported the Hornets on the back of his pickup truck to games in Luling, Seguin, New Braunfels, Lockhart, and San Antonio, and worked tirelessly to cultivate a high level of self-esteem and pride in their community; and
WHEREAS, the 1964 Hornets team consisting of Larry Manjang, Charles Callihan, Bobby Joe Burleson, Ronnie Cheatham, Samuel Johnson, Johnnie Burleson, Vernon Williams, Michael Armstead, Tommy Jackson, Johnnie Bratton, Jr., Ralph Merriweather, Robert Miller, Jimmie Johnson, Royce Holmes, Roger Byas, coached by Alonzo Hardge and John Odoms, remained undefeated throughout the season; and
WHEREAS, although the Pony League teams were segregated in 1964, the Hornets advanced the cause of desegregation by making friends across racial lines, friendships that continue more than fifty years later; and
WHEREAS, the Hornets did not receive proper recognition for their phenomenal achievement in 1964;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Jane Hughson, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Mayor of the City of San Marcos, Texas, do hereby proclaim the 20th Day of February, 2019 as
1964 SAN MARCOS PONY LEAGUE CHAMPIONS DAY
AND DO HEREBY CALL upon all citizens to recognize the remarkable achievements by both the coach and players, and to remember their contribution to San Marcos history.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Seal of the City of San Marcos, Texas, this 20th Day of February, 2019.
Jane Hughson, Mayor
