FROM THE BEGINNING

The Indians first president and charter player/manager was Felipe Castillo. In 1961, Elected Jim Rodriquez took over operations for the next 29 years including broadcasting and press releases. Vincent De La Cruz was also a board member for all 30 years. Other original board members were Manual Juarez, Raul Hernandez, and Louis Espinoza. Ellis Bill managed the Tribe from 1961 to 1979. Other managers included Jose Castillo, Gary Hurst, John Hollimon, Jack Michel, Joe Meurer, Jesse Cardenas, and Jim Rainey. The Indians called home to Carver Park (still in use by the city) in 1960, Boerne's Bowers Field in 1961-1962, Antler Field (now Home Depot) in 1963, Indians Park (now grassed parking area for AG Barn) in 1964 - 1988, and Schreiner University in 1989-1990. The story of Indians Park is unique. The Indians wanted a field to call their own. City councilmen Cedric Tolore and Earl Stieffel convinced Kerr County Commisioners to grant the Tribe 4 acres of land next to the AG Barn on Hwy. 27. The Comfort Broncos broke up in 1962 and had their park, Krum's Stadium, up for sale. The Indians bought the stadium for $1,100. Volunteers with the help of Ayala Boys big trucks moved the stadium piece by piece to Kerrville where it stood until 1988. Some of the notable community supporters of the Tribe were Joe Rogers, Henry Vargez, Mr. and Mrs. Pete Black, Lefty Hollimon, Ezekiel Davila and Soterro Cervantes. Other early players included Benny Scharnberg, Bobby Compton, Larry Snodgrass, Mario Bill, Jerry Juarez, Richard Kaiser, Steve Wilke, Earl Byerly, Jackie Bushong, Butch Earnst, Dan Caterly, Stan Caulkins, Mark Haufler, John Weishaar, and Brad Benedict.