The 75th BISD Gulf Coast Relays hosted by Brazoswood High School with duties shared by Brazosport High School took place this past Friday, February 28, at Hopper Stadium. Historically, the BISD Gulf Coast Relays attracts some of the best teams from all over South Texas, and this year 10 girls’ teams and 12 boys’ teams from southeast Texas came to compete. With a return to some past traditions six years ago, the athletic coaches decided that they would bring back the naming of Honorary Meet Directors. In recognition of the 75th Gulf Coast Relays past honorees with this year’s recipients were recognized at the Opening Ceremonies.
Past honorees and this year’s recipients joined Superintendent Danny Massey, Deputy Superintendent Jay Whitehead, Athletic Director Jay Zeller, and Board Member Joe Rinehart, with Brazosport and Brazoswood track coaches for the recognition. Previous Honorary Meet Directors were presented with medals of honor and this year’s recipients received the customary plaque along with their own medals of honor.
Former Honorary Meet Directors recognized were:
From the Class of 2020
James "Bo" Lander
Johnnie Redden
From the Class of 2021
Representing his wife Shelia Austin is her husband Ricky Austin
Ricky Wright
Class of 2022
Doug Boone
Dartwan Bush
Class of 2023
Greta Henderson Luce
Raymond Waddy
Alan Weddell
Class of 2024
Jeanette Sciba
Marc Herns
2025 75th Gulf Coast Relays Honorary Meet Directors:
Superintendent Danny Massey, BISD
Superintendent Danny Massey joined Brazosport ISD in 1991 as a teacher and coach. For the last 10 years, Mr. Massey has served as BISD’s superintendent.The Gulf Coast Relays have always been a highlight for the district, but there was a time when attendance fell off and the participation from high schools dwindled. Mr. Massey, working with Brazosport and Brazoswood High School programs, brought the Gulf Coast Relays back to its previous level of prominence.
Dr. Max Royalty, Brazosport HS, Class of 1953
Dr. Royalty participated in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Gulf Coast Relays while he was a student at Brazosport High School. Highlights of high school track were winning the 880-yard run at the State Meet in 1953 and being on the team that won the mile medley relay at the Texas Relays in 1952. Royalty received a track scholarship to Rice Institute (now University) where he had a successful career as a half-miler. Royalty was a 1965 graduate of the University of Texas Dental Branch in Houston and practiced dentistry for many years in Freeport. Royalty has been a lifetime fan of Track and Field. In his early 40s, he took up road racing, running anything from 5Ks to full marathons with the most memorable was qualifying for and running the Boston Marathon at age 50 in 1985. Royalty continues to be active in the running community for the past 50 years. At age 90, he still runs 5-6 days a week and competes in 5K runs. Dr. Royalty still enjoys the health benefits and pleasures of running.
Jean Mardis Bradley, Brazoswood HS, Class of 1981
Jean Mardis Bradley was a 1981 graduate of Brazoswood High School and a 4-year letterman on Brazoswood’s track team. The events she participated in were the 400 and 800-meter relays and the 80 and 100-meter low hurdles. She was most remembered for the hurdles in which she set a school record that wasn’t broken for another 20-plus years. Mardi-Bradley made Regionals in the hurdles two times and placed 4th and 3rd respectively. Jean credits her track wins to her talented teammates and to all of the outstanding coaches who worked with her. In 1981 Mardis-Bradley received Brazoswood’s Outstanding Female Track Award and was voted Most Athletic and Representative Female for her senior class. Jean was offered track scholarships but instead of track, she chose to attend college and enjoy being a student. Jean Mardis Bradley went on to become a Registered Nurse. Jean Mardis Bradley remains health-conscious and resides in Spring, Texas with her family.
If you would like to nominate a former successful Brazosport High School or Brazoswood High School track athlete, email your nomination and contact information to:
[email protected]
