IRONCAT

Van Hilburn Jr. dies at 46 By Mary Madewell Published July 28, 2010 Long-time sports editor Van Hilburn Jr., 46, died early today at Medical City Hospital where he had undergone several spinal surgeries beginning in early July. Known for his attention to statistical data in his sports coverage, Hilburn first joined The Paris News in August 1993. Since that time, he has covered thousands of sporting events ranging from football, basketball, baseball and softball; to volleyball, soccer, tennis, golf and swimming. The Paris News Publisher Patrick Graham bestowed accolades. “Van was not only tremendously important to the newspaper but to the community as a whole,” Graham said. “I can’t tell you how many people have approached me in the last few weeks asking about Van and sharing stories about how he has positively impacted their lives through the stories he has written about them, their children or their favorite school’s teams. “Van has left a lasting legacy through the quality of the sports coverage he has provided the community through the years, and he will be sorely missed by all of us.” Coaches from both North Lamar and Paris High praised his abilities. “He did a great job,” said Tommy Felty, North Lamar head football coach (entering his 14th season as Panther head coach). “He was easy to work with. It was more like working with a friend than a sports writer. We talked about our families and there was interest in that on both sides of our conversations. It went beyond a professional job when we visited. Even though we took care of business, there was a concern for one another. This is a deep loss to the sporting community here. It’s terrible news. We were close for a long time, and he did a good job covering our teams and our kids.” And Billy Mack Steed, Paris High School head basketball coach, had this to say: “I think a lot of him and like to joke with him. I’m really stunned by this, to be honest,” Steed said. “I hate to hear it. He always did a great job for teams I was coaching. He has done a great job for The Paris News.” A basketball standout himself, and the valedictorian of his graduating class at West Lamar in 1982, Hilburn attended Wiley College in Marshall where he graduated summa cum laude in 1985. The journalist remained in Marshall at the Marshall News Messenger before returning to Paris and joining The Paris News staff.

PJC will take full control of Noyes Stadium in July. PISD has rented Noyes Stadium for $25,000 since 2002 and $54,000 before that. We look forward to our new stadium!! The Paris Wildcat Stadium will open zero week with the Paris Wildcats playing the Gainesville Leopards.

The Stadium will hold 5500. Home 3300 (1200 Reserved Seats with backs) Visitors 1400 Endzone 800 It will be ready this summer in early June.

This is a rendering of the New Paris High Wildcat Complex.

Hands down at his position Stephen Good - Paris High (Univ. Of Oklahoma)

Wk 0 Gainesville Wk 1 Lucas Lovejoy Wk 2 Frisco Heritage Wk 3 Sulphur Springs Wk 4 Celina Wk 5 Bye Wk 6 Liberty Eylau Wk 7 North Lamar Wk 8 Pleasant Grove Wk 9 Mt Vernon Mt 10 Atlanta

We are need of 2 girl teams for our meet. Please contact Kelly Parker 512.995.0925 Travis Smith [email protected]

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Coaches, We have a Powerlifting Meet February 13 @ Paris High School. This will be a Boys and Girls meet. Please Contact: Kelly Parker 512.995.0925 [email protected] Travis Smith 903.737.7429 [email protected]

Stephen is having a great camp and is starting guard for the Sooners. D.C.A.

GREAT JOB CATS!!!! DISCIPLINE CHARACTER ATTITUDE

Paris 10 VA 0 In 5 innings JM Abbey pitched a no hitter GREAT JOB CATS!!!! LADYCATS 5 VA 4 GREAT JOB LADYCATS

Paris vs. Sanger Regional Quarterfinals Wednesday March 4th Mckinney North High School 7:30 pm DCA Go Cats!!!!!

Paris 54 defeated Arkansas High 43 Paris Vs. Texas High 8:00pm Saturday Great Job Cats!!! DCA

Congrats from Paris High School! Great job to Coach Owens and all the players!