Cornelsen Cermonies Coming Friday

Legendary former LHS head football and track coach Gary Cornelsen returns to Liberal on Friday. The USD 480 Board of Education voted 6-0 last spring to add the name Gary Cornelsen Sports Complex to the stadium, the track, the practice fields, and the weight room. The name "Redskin Field" will remain at the tradition rich edifice.

There will be a pep assembly at 12:45 at Redskin Field. The Texhoma native will be the chairman of the homecoming parade at 2:30 p.m. Cornelsen will be honored during halftime of the homecoming game against Garden City Friday night shortly after the homecoming queen is crowned. The Liberal Chamber of Commerce will host an informal "meet and greet" in the LHS Cafeteria after the game. The public is invited to attend any or all of these events.

It is safe to say his accomplishments will never be matched. Gary Cornelsen was the head coach for 28 of Liberal’s 34 state championships. He coached the LHS boys track and field teams to a dizzying 14 consecutive state titles from 1991-2004 and the girls won 10 of 11 state championships from 1994-2004 (Salina Central won state in 2002). His football Redskins won state four times in 1992, 1994, 1995, and 1997. They went to seven straight state championship games from 1991-1997. His record from 1991-2001 and 2003 was 118-17.

Cornelsen is currently the head track coach and assistant football coach at Amarillo Tascosa.