Lombardi remembered with songs, speeches, pep rally
By LYNETTE SOWELL
Cove Leader-Press
“Big Joe” Lombardi was remembered on Monday evening in a space where he spent countless hours for more than a decade, calling games for teams he always cheered for, no matter the score.
Bulldawg Gymnasium at Copperas Cove High School had hundreds in attendance, current students and alumni, community leaders, school district leaders and staff, as well as friends and former coworkers of the late radio announcer.
The evening also looked like a spirit night, and along with blue and gold flower arrangements, a number of items were displayed on tables in the gymnasium, Bulldawg memorabilia that had been given to Lombardi.
In addition to favorite songs of Lombardi’s prior to the service, Rachel Sizemore led the crowd in the Copperas Cove alma mater/fight song, with the crowd showing off their “Bulldog” or “Bulldawg” hand motions during the song.
A poignant moment occurred during the memorial, when CCISD Athletic Director Cari Lowery presented Sherry Hoffpauir, Lombardi’s wife, with a letter jacket. The jacket read “Big Joe” Lombardi on the back and embellished with a letter/honor for each of the Bulldawgs sports.
After a welcome from CCISD superintendent Joe Burns, several speakers addressed the crowd.
Longtime Covite Peter Simpson also spoke, reminiscing about his first grade experience in getting to be on the air with Lombardi when he announced at KOOV. He also talked about the local radio in Copperas Cove – and Lombardi – being the source of breaking, local news before the internet.
He likewise talked about Lombardi’s always-positive outlook on the Bulldawgs – even when the team had a horrible record.
“We were really bad for a long time, and Joe – if you ever heard him on the radio, I never heard him lament how bad we were. We would have to celebrate first downs, that’s how it was. But Joe, he always made it a show. He made it sound like a big deal.”
Copperas Cove Bulldawgs Head Coach Tony Johnson also spoke about Lombardi, and although they’d known each other but 14 months, and was truly honored to call him a friend, and that he really had an impact on Johnson’s life.
“He left a legacy for all of you, and none of us will forget that legacy.”
In a blast from the past, James Harrison, formerly of KOOV, also said a few words about Big Joe and the time they’d shared on the radio. He also shared that Lombardi – who played trombone in his high school band – was inspired to become a radio announcer by a man by the name of Wolfman Jack.
He talked about when Joe went to Nashville to receive his Country Music Association Award in 1992, for Best Small Market Broadcaster, and that Joe said his favorite memory of that night was hearing Reba McIntyre saying “Joe Lombardi.”
Russ Cochran, who was by Lombardi’s side as they announced Bulldawg sports together on the radio for 20 years, also gave the eulogy. Cochran, also the head pastor of Refuge Ministries, talked about Lombardi’s spiritual walk – acknowledging that while Lombardi would never call himself a saint, he did have faith of where he would be after he left this life. Cochran used the analogy of when, as a newer sports announcer, he didn’t have full access to the playing fields except through Joe, and having that all access pass. He said that having faith in Jesus would give that “all access” to Heaven.
He admitted that Joe, like many of us, struggled to love certain people. But over the years, that changed.
“I think if Joe can talk to y’all today, he’d say, “Love Jesus. And if you love Jesus, you’re gonna love other people,” Cochran said. “Joe was a much softer man these past few years, much softer. He knew eternity was coming.”
The evening closed with an audio feed of some of Lombardi’s play-by-play announcing from past games, and applause from the crowd.