Cantonment Cowboys To Hold Wall Of Fame Induction Ceremony
September 2, 2015
An induction ceremony for the new Cantonment Cowboys Wall of Fame will be held this Saturday at the Cantonment Sportsplex on Well Line Road.
Gene Atkins, Morgan Fowler, Shaquille Purifoy, and Bud Norton will be inducted and honored during a special ceremony that will be held about 4 p.m. between a midgets and a juniors game. The public is invited to attend.
Shaquille Purifoy was known by his family, friends, coaches, teammates and others as the life of the party, the clown in the classroom, and the playmaker on the field. Shaq’s personality was larger than life. Many in the community considered him one of their own. He was a role model; one who set the example through his walk with the Lord which was evident in his everyday life. Shaq’s life was tragically cut short when he was shot while visiting his parents when home from college on June 14, 2014.
Bud Norton was a coach in the Escambia County area. He was a part of the Cantonment park in some capacity for more than 30 years, be it park president to having grand kids playing there. Bud is one reason why the park is still around today.
Gene Atkin’s passion was coaching youth football and baseball. Atkins coached in both Atmore and Pensacola for over 45 years. He was widely known for his time working with youth in the 1960’s through 1980’s during his nearly 25 years living in Atmore.
Morgan Fowler was a cheerleader whose life was tragically cut short at the age of 12 from leukemia.
Pictured: Shaquille Purifoy.
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4 Responses to “Cantonment Cowboys To Hold Wall Of Fame Induction Ceremony”
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During the 2015 football season, the Cantonment Cowboys are encouraging fans to show their pride by wearing MAROON to all games! With tomorrow being our home opener as well as the unveiling of the Cantonment Cowboys Wall of Fame, we encourage everyone to wear as much MAROON as possible!! Thanks for your support!! Go Cowboys!!!
The article was written based off information we had at the time but has been updated to include further information that has been acquired. If anyone has more information they can provide on any of the 4 listed, please send to webmaster@cantonmentcowboys.org. We truly want to honor and recognize these individuals for this contribution to our park as well as community!! Thanks!!
Thank you Kristy!! You said what we were all thinking!! Unfortunatly the article did not mention the countless years of service in endless capacities that he served the youth of Cantonment, but the article was probably written based on information that was given. I feel confident the ceremony will give him the praises that he so richly deserves.
Thus is awesome. I knew all of them. Bud Norton was not just a coach in the area. Bud, and his family, were fixtures at that park during both football and baseball. He helped make that park what it was. Those of us who were lucky enough to know him and love him were blessed! My favorite memories are during football season especially when his grandchildren were playing and cheering….from the mighty mites to the junior games, he and Dot sat in the endzone…Norton’s Nest….Thank you Bud(Pawpaw) for every thing you did for HUNDREDS of kids. I know I’ll never forget you!!!