Former longtime Bowie Coach Hubert Boner will be inducted into the Bowie Hall of Honor during halftime at this week’s home varsity football game on Sept. 13.
Coach Hubert Ellis Boner was born on June 21, 1943, to parents Hubert Lee and Edith Mae (Rowe) Boner. Coach married the love of his life Lois Evelyn Sisk on March 25, 1966, in Alvord. The Boners were blessed with two children, daughter Kristi and son Kenny, six grandchildren and two great grandchildren and one on the way.
Boner attended Alvord High School where he lettered all four years in football, basketball, track and two years in baseball. Boner was twice named all-district honorable mention in 1959 and 1960 in football.
After graduating Alvord High School in 1961, Boner attended North Texas State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education and a Master’s degree in education.
Coach Boner took his first coaching job in 1966, under Head Coach Charles Blanton. Boner later moved to Amarillo and then to Grapevine.
In 1970, he made his return to Bowie, teaching eighth grade science, physical education and coaching seventh and eighth grade boys. Boner remained in Bowie for more than 30 years of his 33-year career of teaching and coaching, retiring in 1999.
During those 30 plus years of coaching at Bowie Junior High, he had two undefeated football teams and one undefeated basketball team. His teams amassed a win/loss record of 161 wins and 75 loses in football and in basketball 209 wins and 65 loses and in track eight district titles. One of his favorite memories was winning a district track meet with no first-place finishers.
Boner started coaching to increase his involvement with his students and for the love of athletics along with making a little extra money. He stated, “I coached for the love of competition.”
He also stated, “I feel like I accomplished more at this (junior high) level to prepare students for athletics and future challenges they would face in life.”
He was a 30-year member of the Texas High School Coaches Association and is a current member, Sunday school teacher and deacon at Southside Baptist Church.