by Linda Brooks Horseman
1974 Pirate Yearbook editor
This year’s Platte County R-3 Pirate Homecoming will be extra special.
A 94-year old artifact recognizing Platte City’s high school athletic program is scheduled to be returned to Platte County R-3 High School by 1974 Platte County R-3 graduates during their 50-year class reunion, which will coincide with the Pirate Homecoming the week of Oct. 7-11.
The artifact, known as the “Superintendent’s Trophy” was established in 1930 and presented to winning team representing the Platte County High School Athletic Association. Platte City achieved three straight undefeated football seasons in 1931, 1932 and 1933 when the trophy was retired.
The trophy will be presented during the Victory Dinner, held at Pirate Stadium, Wednesday, Oct. 9.
During an interview, former Platte City mayor and 1974 Class President Frank Offutt provided an interesting back story of how the Superintendent’s Trophy surfaced after missing for over 35 years.
“I received a phone call from a Leavenworth business owner asking if I attended Platte City High School. During our call he disclosed that he had recovered a football trophy and shared its poor condition. He asked if I would accept the artifact as he didn’t want to throw it in the dumpster. I instantly recognized the artifact as the ‘famous Silver Football’ that sat on top of the school’s trophy case when I attended school,” Offutt said.
The “Silver Football” as known as the Superintendent’s Award, was a “traveling trophy” established in 1930 and first won by Dearborn High School.
The Platte City Pirates produced three legendary undefeated teams in 1931, 1932 and 1933 when the high school athletic program in Platte County was reorganized and the trophy retired.
For years the “Silver Football” was displayed in the high school lobby, serving as a shining reminder of the students who etched their names in sports history. Sometime in the 1980’s the trophy was lost in the transition of school administrators and the growing volume of Pirate achievements filling the ever-expanding trophy cases lining the hallways of Platte City’s high school.
The Class of 1974 alumni has a tradition of making a gift to Platte County R-3 High School, celebrating each reunion.
“Our steering committee for the 50-year reunion asked if it was possible to restore the “Superintendent’s Trophy” and return it to the school’s Piratology program. Jerri Spores, who oversees the program, was contacted through the school’s alumni coordinator Laura Hulett, who assisted in supporting the return of the ‘Silver Football,’ Offutt said.
Offutt closed the interview by sharing that many hands came together to restore this piece of Pirate History.
“The class enlisted the expertise of Mike Jacopian and his staff, who operates Dr. Dent east of Platte City, who painstakingly removed the dents and Sean and Melinda McCombs at Ranger Trophies, who all provided their talents in restoring this historic artifact.”
