BASEBALL FIELDS – The locations of the UHS baseball fields in the 1920s and the following years are unknown. Then, during the 1940s, some of the boys played on a softball team when the school did not have a baseball team. When the school again began offering the sport, the UHS baseball teams played on several fields, all off campus, before finding a permanent home. They once used a field just south of the airport, then one just off County Line Street behind the Gary Staton home as seen in this picture, then on the city’s field east of the Hwy. 15 Bypass, and finally in the school’s athletic complex on Industrial Drive.
PLAYGROUND – Many former UHS students will recall riding on the old merry-go-rounds and flying in the swings on the elementary playground. Also available to young students were two sliding boards, see-saws, and monkey bars.
BASKETBALL IN THE OLD GYM – The girls’ and boys’ basketball teams played games in the gym built in 1948 until the new gym was constructed on King Street in 1973. Dressing rooms were located underneath the bleachers on both sides. After the new gym was built, those former dressing rooms on the west side were converted to a weight room that was used until 2005 when it was moved to the newly renovated field house beside the football field. The old gym was remodeled in 2016 and is now used for physical education classes and as a practice area for athletics. Cecil Muse goes up for a lay-up in the picture.
HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL – For many years, the UHS band sponsored a Halloween Carnival each October. A boy and a girl were selected to represent each class in grades 1-8. They raised money by having bake sales and selling chances, among other fundraisers. Then on Halloween night, a crowning ceremony to name the king and queen, the representatives of the class that turned in the most money, took place. Also, a costume contest brought much entertainment to the program. Following the ceremony, a carnival was held in the old gym. Booths for game participation offered, for example, football toss through a tire, a baseball toss to bottles, go-fishing, a cake walk, and bingo. A country store featured a stalk of sugar cane for 25 cents, caramel apples, and popcorn balls. The picture shows Melvya Cassel, unknown, Donna Kay Gomillion, and Vickie Mott.
FOOTBALL FIELD – This picture shows the 1960 football team. The concrete bleachers are still used today. The background left shows a concession stand that was demolished with a new one relocated east end of the football field; a press box was built in its place. A ticket booth on the right has also been rebuilt. Bushes surrounded the fence on all sides. In the far background sits the white frame band hall. The picture shows football linemen Moss, Henry, Bates, Luke, Clark, Ezelle, Lane and the backfield Brown, Massengale, Gray, and Payne.
