Friends, rivals, former players pay tribute to McCracken at dinner

By Tom Peavy

Published: June 28, 2008

They ate, they shared stories, they laughed and they cried.

Inside First Baptist Church of Opelika on Friday, 300 friends, family, former players, assistant coaches and Opelika boosters packed in to honor Opelika head coach Spence McCracken on his upcoming retirement.

The coach announced the 2008 football season would be his last after 35 years — 24 as a head coach and the last 13 at Opelika.

With a mix of good-natured ribbing and seriousness, speaker after speaker roasted the coach while following up with their heartfelt feelings of congratulation.

“This was an awesome night — for as much as he’s done for this city and everyone in this community,” said Opelika High athletics radio play-by-play personality D. Mark Mitchell, who helped organize the event. “He touched so many lives — not just players but just as many who didn’t play.

“And you could tell from everyone in this room how much he’s meant to them. He’s a great ambassador to this city.”

A list of speakers addressed the crowd, among them Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller, Auburn High Athletic Director Chuck Furlow and Alabama State Senator Ted Little.

Little used his speech to deliver a state proclamation of achievement to McCracken on behalf of the state legislature.

McCracken also addressed the assembled crowd, and fighting off his tears, gave an emotional speech.

“This is like being in heaven,” McCracken said. “At least this is what I hope it’s like — having friends and family like all of you here.”

He finished his speech by saying the 13 years at Opelika had been, “The greatest ride of my life.”

“It’s great to be an Opelika Bulldog,” McCracken continued. “All of you are my family.”

After a video presentation, the night concluded with McCracken being presented the keys to a 2007 Nissan truck, paid for by tickets sold to the dinner.

For former Opelika, Auburn University and current NFL player T.J. Jackson, the night was a fitting one for McCracken.

“I know what I got from him — I know what he did for me and what he instilled in me,” Jackson said. “You can’t replace him. He’s irreplaceable.

“He’s truly a pillar here in Opelika.”

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