Wikipedia / Big Spring High School
Wikipedia / Big Spring High School
Big Spring High School is a public high school located in Big Spring, Texas, and classified as a 4A Division I school by the University Interscholastic League (UIL). It is part of the Big Spring Independent School District located in north central Howard County. The high school building was dedicated on March 23, 1952. The dedication address was given by J.W. Edgar, State Commissioner of Education. This was the first new high school built in 35 years, and the third in the district's history. In 2015, the school was rated "Met Standard" by the Texas Education Agency.
UIL academic events
The Big Spring Steers compete in the following UIL academic events. Events below have both team and individual components unless specifically noted otherwise. Sanctioned high school academic events are:
Accounting
Calculator applications
Computer applications (individual competition only)
Computer science
Congressional debate
Current issues and events
Literary criticism
Mathematics
Number sense
Ready writing (individual competition only)
Science
Social studies
Spelling and vocabulary
Speech (an award is given to the top overall school in speech events; the award does not qualify students for advancement)
Cross-examination team debate (team competition only)
Lincoln-Douglas debate (individual competition only)
Extemporaneous speaking (individual competition only)
Poetry interpretation (individual competition only)
Prose interpretation (individual competition only)
Congressional debate
Journalism (an award is given to the top overall school in journalism events; the award does not qualify students for advancement)
Editorial writing (individual competition only)
Feature writing (individual competition only)
Headline writing (individual competition only)
News writing (individual competition only)
One act play (team competition plus individual awards that do not lead to advancement)
UIL academic state meet
State titles
Individual
Calculator applications
2022 (4A), 2023 (4A)
Congressional debate
2016 (4A), 2024 (4A)
Editorial writing
1990(4A)
Feature writing
2008(4A)
Lincoln-Douglas debate
2005(4A), 2011(3A), 2015(4A), 2016(4A)
Mathematics
2022 (4A)
News writing
2009(4A)
Number sense
2009(4A)
Persuasive speaking
2011(3A)
Prose interpretation
1978(4A), 1979(4A)
Spelling
1977(4A), 2001(4A), 2023 (4A)
Typing
1948(2A)
Team
Journalism
2004(4A), 2009(4A)
Speech
2016 (4A)
Other state placings
1947
3rd place Shorthand
1990
2nd place News Writing
2002
Octa-finalists: cross-examination debate
2003
3rd place persuasive extemporaneous speaking
2004
2nd place Persuasive Extemporaneous Speaking
2nd place: Headline Writing
2nd place: News Writing
3rd place: Lincoln-Douglas Debate
4th place: News Writing
6th place Informative Extemporaneous Speaking
2005
3rd place Persuasive Extemporaneous Speaking
3rd place: Feature Writing
6th place Poetry Interpretation
2006
Quarter-finalists: cross-examination debate
2009
2nd place: Feature Writing
3rd place: Headline Writing
3rd place: Literary Criticism
2010
Octa-finalists: cross-examination debate
2012
2014
2015
2016
2017
2019
2021
2022
2023
Octa-finalists Cross Examination State Meet 4A
2024
2026
Athletics
The Big Spring Steers compete in these sports: cross country, volleyball, football, basketball, powerlifting, swimming, golf, tennis, track, softball & baseball.
The school competes in class 4A in all sports except for swimming and diving which competes in class 5A
State titles
Team
Boys cross country
2006(4A)
Individual
Boys triple jump
2010(4A)
Girls long jump
2011(3A)
Boys 800 meter
2016 (4A)
Boys 800 meter
2017 (4A)
Girls triple jump
2017 (4A)
State finalists
Football
1953(3A)
Baseball
1994(4A)
State semi-finalists
Volleyball
2013 (3A)
Other state placings
2011(3A)
2nd place girls long jump
2nd place boys long jump
2nd place girls 400 relay
2nd place girls 800 relay
3rd place triple jump
Girls track 2nd place team
2012(3A)
9th place boys powerlifting SHW
2017 (4A)
2nd place boys 1600 relay
4th place boys 400 meter
5th place boys 300 hurdles
6th place boys 400 relay
6th place boys 800 relay
4th place girls 400 meter
4th place girls discus
2021 (4A)
4th place boys discus
2022(4A D1)
7th Place Boys powerlifting 123
7th Place Girls powerlifting 132
7th Place Girls Powerlifting 220
8th Place Girls Powerlifting 259+
2nd Place Girls Powerlifting 259
2023(4A D1)
5th Place Girls Powerlifting 220
4th Place Girls Powerlifting 259+
2nd Place Girls Powerlifting 259+
Notable alumni
Larry Arnhart- writer and scholar, graduated from Big Spring High School in 1967.
Dan Birdwell - defensive tackle for the Oakland Raiders
Ken Coffey - safety for the Washington Redskins
Olie Cordill - halfback for the Cleveland Rams
Jim Evans - wide receiver for the New York Jets
Bob Flowers - center for the Green Bay Packers
Bubba Franks - Green Bay Packers tight end; although born in California, was raised and played high school football in Big Spring.
Tony Franklin - Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins; barefoot kicker set 18 NCAA records playing at Texas A&M, He led the NFL in scoring (140 points) and field goals made (32) in 1986 and was selected to represent the AFC in the Pro Bowl. Played in super Bowl XV and super Bowl XX
Charley Johnson - quarterback for the St. Louis Cardinals
Cliff Patton - guard for the Philadelphia Eagles
Stephan Pyles - Chef and restaurateur. Owner of Stephan Pyles, Samar, and Stampede 66 in Dallas.
J. T. Smith — wide receiver for the St. Louis and Phoenix Cardinals, Washington Redskins and Kansas City Chiefs. Played 13 years in the NFL, then coached the San Angelo indoor team. Played at North Texas State after finishing at Big Spring High School. He was inducted to the Big Spring Hall of Fame and in 2002. JT was named to the AFC Pro Bowl team in 1980 and the NFC Pro Bowl team in 1988. He also led the NFL in total punt returns in 1979 & 1980.
Ryan Tannehill - quarterback for the Tennessee Titans
Charlie West - safety for the Minnesota Vikings
References
External links