There was nothing else in Tampa quite like the classic high school football games on Friday nights at Phillips Field in the 1950s and 1960s between Blake and Middleton. And every Thanksgiving afternoon brought fans out for the Turkey Day Game against Plant and Hillsborough.

The stadium, built in 1937 on North Boulevard, was packed with 13,000 fans — many standing — for these contests. Some of that magic will be rekindled Sunday, May 5, 2013, 3 p.m. at a historic marker dedication and the Phillips Field Reunion. The public is invited to the free event.

Among the people who helped make Phillips Field a special place were William O. (Bill) Bethel, who was head coach of the Middleton Tigers for 22 years, and James  (Big Jim) Williams, the head coach of the Blake Yellow Jackets for 17 years. They sent numerous players to colleges and to the professional ranks, and they all started at Phillips Field.

The Hillsborough County Historical Advisory Council will sponsor the marker dedication program at Julian Lane Riverfront Park. Parking is located at North Boulevard and Cypress Street. The marker, which gives some of the exciting 30-year history of the stadium, will be unveiled prior to the reunion.

Phillips Field was the center of the city’s sports and marching band performances from the Great Depression to the early days of integration. The estate of I. W. Phillips donated the land to the University of Tampa to build an athletic facility. The Tampa U. Spartans played there until its football team began playing at Tampa Stadium on N. Dale Mabry. Phillips Field then became a practice facility.

High Schools and several colleges played games there also — including Florida A&M, Bethune-Cookman, the University of Florida, Florida State and their opponents. Alumni of FAMU and B-CU have been invited to join the festivities.

Alumni of all colleges and high schools that played at Phillips Field are invited to wear their school colors to the reunion. Current football players from Blake, Middleton, Plant, Hillsborough and from other local schools that played there are among the special guests.

Former and current coaches at those schools also are invited, along with alumni, family and friends.