By Devin Herrera with Cindy Rives Alfaro
Athletics are the backbone of the school spirit, and without them a school can have no spirit.
Nestled in a low-income neighborhood today, Milby High School, which opened in 1926, shines as a beacon of academic and athletic excellence. For a century, the school has fielded teams in many sports for boys and girls, which have received overwhelming community support. Each fall, the boys’ football team opens the season, followed by other sports, including the boys’ basketball team, which has won two state championships.
The coaches cultivate skills and sportsmanship in the student-athletes, earning Milby recognition locally and beyond. For example, head football coach Lee Beeson (1947-1959) taught players the importance of leadership, perseverance, and teamwork. Prominent coaches leading the Milby boys’ basketball team included Hall of Famer Boyce Honea (1973-2003) and Jim Duffer who led the 2003-04 team to the 5A State Championship. Current baseball coach and alum Carlos Morales has led his teams to the playoffs and recognizes the importance of closeness that comes with a high school led by many alumni staff members. These role models have and continue to make their presence known in the Milby community where they grew up, made a name for themselves, and created a legacy by developing young men and women for future success.
Milby’s sports teams were built on this foundation of sportsmanship, camaraderie, and faith as was the neighborhood. Many of Milby’s most talented players began their athletic journey with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) that helped host afterschool sporting events. Before and after the games, everyone came together to pray for player safety, lasting memories, and unity through Christ. This continued similarly in 1967 under Milby basketball, football and baseball assistant coach Boyce Honea. A religious man, he encouraged the student-athletes to participate in prayer circles before and after games and to always keep their faith with them. If they did not want to participate, Honea respected their choice, but most of them joined in prayer, which strengthened the foundation of solidarity and sportsmanship.
Battle of the East End
Entering junior high school, East End students attended either Deady, Edison, Stevenson, Hartman, or Jackson (now Navarro), and this determined if they started tenth grade at Milby or Stephen F. Austin High School, which opened in 1936. Thus, the players set aside their FCA bonds every time they met as opponents, and the winners earned bragging rights in the neighborhood.
Students felt pride in representing their school, with Milby Buffs wearing blue and gold and Austin Mustangs in green and white. The rivalry grew, whether through an argument, a foot race, or a sporting event, leading to the Battle of the East End. Today, this rivalry still brings the community together to compete for the sought after trophy, especially at the homecoming game.
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Click here to watch a video that highlights the 2023 Milby vs Stephen F Austin football game
This video provides a Milby High School Drumline performance in 2024 during the Drum Master Studios 2024 High Noon Showdown Drumline Competition at Austin High School. The video is from A1 Media Bands!
Watch this trailer about a recent Milby Buffs documentary that features coach Honea talk about his career including the basketball team that became UIL conference champions!
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