Yesteryear 8-12-10

This week’s Yesteryear is Tom Hermann, former Marianna Bulldog football standout from the 1960s. Tom was born to Harry and Emily Hermann and was the younger brother of Dick Hermann, who had an outstanding football career at both Marianna and Florida State. Tom began playing varsity football for the Bulldogs in the 9th grade. An injury limited his sophomore playing time to just three games but he excelled in both his junior and senior seasons. In his junior season the 1963 Bulldogs went 9-1 as they were led on offense by the trio of Hermann, Raymond Jennings and Bill Fite.

The 1964 Bulldogs went 5-2-2 and once again Hermann led the offense, leading the Bulldogs in rushing with 983 yards and 11 touchdowns. Hermann, who served as a Tri-Captian with Tommy Gortemoller and Ronnie Whitehead, received the following post season awards: All Conference, All Big Bend and Honorable Mention Little All State. Hermann got a one year scholarship to Florida State and played on the freshman team. When his one year scholarship was up Hermann was offered a full scholarship to Troy State. Injuries had begun to nag him and he decided to come home to Marianna and go to Chipola. After Chipola he returned to FSU to attend school but then got drafted into the Army.

While in the army stationed in Europe he began playing football again and his team went 10-4 They captured the Armed Forces European football championship by beating the Berlin Bears. Ironically on the Bears coaching staff was Hermann’s friend and former Bulldog teammate Harry Frank. After he got out of the military he finished school at FSU and went to work in South Carolina. He later returned to Tallahassee to work in the mental health field and complete his master’s degree.

Home was calling and Hermann moved back to Marianna and served as Executive Director of the Jackson County Association for Retarded Citizens for 8 years. He still resides in Marianna and for the past 22 years has worked for the Jackson County School Board. He is currently a guidance counselor at the Adult Education program.

Hermann married Mary (Hicks) of Ponce De Leon in 1972 and they have three sons, all of whom played football as well as other sports at Marianna High School. Dale, who also coached at Marianna, is currently the Head Soccer Coach in McDonough, Georgia. Micheal is an airline attendant and lives in California. Rick, the youngest son, is a pastor in Flowery Branch Georgia. Tom and Mary have 3 grandchildren, all of whom belong to Rick.

See next week’s for another Yesteryear feature and remember to send or drop off any pictures of your favorite sports memories to the Jackson County Times.

E-mail: clintcox@jacksoncountytimes.net Fax: (850) 526-1505 Phone: (850) 209-7319

Office: 2866 Madison St. Marianna, Fl. 32448