Friday was a big night for Pampa as a whole, with the first home game being played since the new construction of the stadium and scoreboard and NFL Hall of Famer, Zach Thomas, visiting his former home and stepping foot on the very field he once played, the stadium now named in his honor.
But how, or who, helped make all of this happen? A handful of very generous donors, that’s who.
Parkway in Pampa donated $200,000 for the Pampa High School stadium project, along with Proman and Jason Bagwell both donating $100,000 each, their sole purpose of giving back to a community they love and instilling a sense of pride with each generation.
“When we bought this dealership, we sat down with the Chamber of Commerce and talked about some of the things we could do to help the community,” said Parkway General Manager, Desmond Stirgus. “We wanted to start with the youth.”
Some of Parkway’s other sponsorships include the Top o’ Texas Rodeo and Back to School Bash just last month alone. They also plan on partnering up with the 806 Football organization to have a massive cookout to support the kids at the Parkway location. More details will follow as soon as information is given.
Stirgus, hailing originally from Baton Rouge, LA, was pleasantly surprised to find out that some of the best of the best came straight from our small town.
“I think it’s awesome. Zach Thomas was one of my favorite linebackers, he’s up there with the greats. Coming to Pampa and realizing how close I am to greatness was really amazing.”
“I think them naming it Zach Thomas is really great. I think the student athletes really like it and it will give them a little bit of history and they can know that a small town like this can have such a big impact on the whole world.”
Mike Lane, a long-time Pampa resident and employee with Parkway for more than 30 years, was also excited about Zach’s arrival in their hometown.
“I’m very proud and pleased that we have owners who want to invest in the community and in the school programs. It’s hard to put it into words,” Mike said. “I’ve been here 32 years and really by far this is the most outstanding thing that these stores have been a part of in my mind. I’m excited for it.”
“Last time I saw Zach, he was a senior in high school and he was at the youth center. It’s always good to see someone again from your hometown that did something great. It’s always one of those bragging rights when you’re talking to someone from other cities or states. Like hey, we’ve got one of 36 Hall of Famers in the state of Texas! We’ve got a lot to be proud of.”
And he’s absolutely right. Thank you to the donors who invested in not only our town, but our history as well.
