Powerful presence of Al Dudley, who died at 82, belied caring way

by Kirk Dooley, Contributing Columnist, The Dallas Morning News and Park Cities People

The first thing that comes to mind when I reflect on the late Al Dudley is his voice. A booming, commanding voice - heavy on the volume - that sounded like the Wizard of Oz bellowing out at the cowardly lion. As a matter of fact, Coach Dudley's voice was so distinct that for a number of years he was the Highlander Stadium announcer for the Scot football games.
Those of us who knew him wondered if he actually used the microphone. We didn't think he needed one.

Al Dudley died of stomach cancer at the age of 82 on Feb. 26. His memorial service was held last week at Park Cities Baptist Church.

"He was a legend at Highland Park Junior High [now HP Middle School]," said former player William Johnson, who was an offensive lineman for Coach Dudley during the '60s.

"When a player would get roughed up on a play and limp over to Coach Dudley to say he needed to come out, the coach would get in his face and holler, "Is the bone stickin' out?!' The player would say no and trot back onto the field. It got to the point where you would REALLY have to be hurt before you asked Coach Dudley if you could sit out."

Al Dudley's death just a few days after the loss of Clyde Stinson (assistant principal for Highland Park Middle School) is ironic in that both are considered legendary figures at the middle school, yet their reigns didn't overlap.

Presence still felt

None of today's students would know anything about Albert Dudley, who retired in 1979. But for almost 40 years he commanded the attention of most everyone who passed through HPJHS.

His presence is still felt in our community by the large number of his former student-athletes who were influenced by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Just over 30 years ago, two HP Junior High coaches, Al Dudley and Kellis White, petitioned the FCA to form a local chapter (called a "huddle") at their school.

In a historic move for the FCA, the request was granted, and HPJHS became the first and only junior high in America to have a fellowship chapter.

Coach Dudley and Coach White had a new weapon to help keep youngsters focused on something positive while they barrel-rolled through their tumultuous junior high years.

By the time these kids got out of braces and out of junior high, many walked into high school with a spiritual foundation that probably lasted for the rest of their lives.

How do I know? Well, because I'm one of them. And over the last 30 years, there have been hundreds of others.

It was always so amazing to have Coach Dudley's voice carry throughout the neighborhood during football practice, like an earthquake rolling across the gridiron, only to hear him the next morning at an FCA huddle meeting sounding so uncharacteristically sweet and humble. He would almost whisper when he spoke from the heart, and I can remember the sincerity in his voice, the softness in his face and the conviction of his spirituality.

Story-filled life

Years after he retired he called to ask me if his memoirs were worth writing and publishing. He told me story after story, dating back to his days of filling in as HP Scot head coach in the mid-'40s during the Doak Walker glory days.

I told him his memoirs were valuable in the Park Cities but that it would not be a large enough market to attract a publisher, unless he raised some money to offset a publisher's costs. But he felt uneasy raising money, and so his memoirs remained unpublished.

I regret not taking any notes during our talks because I was awed by his stories, and now they are silenced forever.

However, Highland Park football fans did get a chance to acknowledge Coach Dudley publicly last fall, although nobody knew it would turn out to be a final farewell.

On Oct. 30, during halftime of the Highland Park-West Mesquite football game, the high school jersey number (84) that belonged to legendary Scot and Heisman Trophy winner Doak Walker was retired.

As Doak's family and former teammates were introduced, the audience applauded. Then when Doak's only surviving coach was introduced, the crowd jumped to its feet and gave Coach Al Dudley an emotional standing ovation.

Leaning on a walker, he looked up at the stands and beamed with pride. It was a wonderful moment.

I'm sure many Highland Park students wondered who this old man was. I wish they understood that before them stood a man who helped mold the character of two generations of Scots - including, in many cases, their own parents and grandparents.

Call it what you wish: Highland Park tradition, Scot pride, Highland Park heritage. I believe the seeds are sown during one's middle school years, and Coach Al Dudley - and his trusty paddle - helped plant a whole community's worth.