Purple Eagle Plaza
Before Garfield had a building, it already had a spirit. That spirit came to life on September 3, 1912, when Garfield High School officially opened its doors. Until then, Wiley High School was the city’s sole institution, but the need for a northside school was clear—and Garfield delivered. Over nearly six decades, it became much more than a school: it was a foundation for education and excellence, a home for lifelong friendships, proud rivalries, and cherished traditions passed down through generations.
Fast forward to 2020, when a group of devoted alumni—Susan Hamblen Mardis (Class of 1971), David Haynes (Class of 1969), Charlie Williams (Class of 1967), and Pat Chaney (1971, Garfield’s final Class President)—came together to launch a project honoring their alma mater. They envisioned a monument not just to a building, but to a legacy. The result? Garfield Purple Eagle Plaza.
To kick off this dream, a vibrant pep rally invited alumni from every era to celebrate and reminisce. The excitement was palpable. Gold Medal Olympian Terry Dischinger, Class of 1958, graciously served as Honorary Chairperson and greeted attendees with warmth and nostalgia. The rally reawakened Garfield pride—and set the tone for what was to come.
With hearts full and memories flowing, the committee turned toward creating a lasting tribute. They called upon Pat Chaney, respected artist and businessman, to lead the design vision. The centerpiece would be unmistakable: a majestic Purple Eagle, Garfield’s proud mascot. Renowned sculptor Bill Wolfe was chosen to bring this creature to life. His creation—an eagle with an 8-foot wingspan—perches at the heart of the plaza on a circular platform etched with “7-6,” a number with special significance to Garfield’s legacy (this may need explanation here). Surrounding it are inscribed bricks bearing the names of students, faculty, families, and friends—those whose lives were intertwined with Garfield’s story. This detail, especially dear to Mardis, ensures that everyone who visits the plaza feels part of something enduring.
2019
Today, anyone can rest on a bench beneath the eagle’s gaze and reflect on days filled with camaraderie, teachers who left a mark, and moments that shaped their youth. While the physical buildings are gone, the spirit lives on—etched in stone, in memory, and in the connections that still bind Garfield alumni across generations.
Garfield Purple Eagle Plaza stands proudly in Terre Haute’s 12 Points District, near historic Collett Park, not only as a memorial, but as a gift: from the Garfield High School family to the neighborhood that supported it. It honors all those who walked its halls, cheered from its bleachers, and carried its legacy forward.
The Spirit of 7–6: A Garfield Legacy
A two-story Phillips building on the west side of Lafayette which no longer standing.
As you approach the plaza, you'll notice a band wrapped around the cylinder beneath the eagle statue. It reads 7–6 — a score, yes, but also a symbol. This number became the heartbeat of the Purple Eagles and a motto for the entire school. Here's how it all began.
In the inaugural year of Garfield, 400 students walked through the doors and into a new chapter of their lives. That fall marked their first venture into competition: a football game against rival school Wiley, held on Thanksgiving Day. Unfortunately, it ended in disappointment. Garfield lost 59–0. The defeat hit hard and lingered.
For the next two years, Garfield stepped back from facing Wiley on the gridiron — they needed time to build a team and rebuild morale.
Enter Mr. James Comerford, a beloved local pharmacist and passionate member of the Booster Club. Seeing the players' low spirits during practice, he took matters into his own hands. He visited all the businesses in the 12 Points area, collecting donations to purchase a trophy — a symbol of belief, dedication, and community support.
One evening, he placed that trophy at the end of the practice field under the goalpost. When the players spotted it, something shifted. Their energy soared. They saw that the school, the neighborhood, and the people of 12 Points had faith in them.
The traditional Thanksgiving game returned. The Purple Eagles charged onto the field, heads held high, fired up with newfound confidence. And this time, when the final whistle blew, the scoreboard read Garfield 7 — Wiley 6.
That score became legendary. More victories followed with the same tally, but 7–6 meant more than just points. It became a mantra for grit, effort, and pride. The “Spirit of 7–6” came to represent the determination to push harder, to rise above, and to succeed — on the field and beyond.
Mr. Comerford earned his title as “Father of the Spirit of 7–6,” and his legacy lives on. Still today, Garfield students recall that score when they face challenges or competition. It reminds them that belief and heart can turn any underdog into a champion.
7–6 isn’t just a score. It’s a legacy — a reminder that faith, effort, and unity can turn defeat into triumph.
Original Garfield High School Memorial
As you walk around the plaza, you will notice the first memorial, dedicated to Garfield High School in 1983 by Dr. Paul Humphrey, Class of 1935, along with Mr. Don Scott, Class of 1954, and their committee. At the summit of the monument, an impressive golden eagle symbolically watches over the property.
Permission was given by the Humphrey Family and the Scott Family to erect another memorial to Garfield High School. It was made known to these gracious families that the first memorial would be an essential feature of the Garfield Purple Eagle Plaza.
Frank Hamblen: A Life in the Game
Garfield and Maple Avenue
In the heart of Terre Haute, Indiana, a young boy named Frank Hamblen first stepped onto the hardwood floors of Garfield High School. Tall, focused, and fiercely competitive, he quickly rose to become one of the school’s top scorers, trailing only legends Terry Dischinger and Clyde Lovellette. By 1965, he had earned his place among Indiana’s elite, later honored on the Silver Anniversary Team and inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame.
Frank’s journey continued at Syracuse University, where he played guard and forward, captained the team in 1969, and earned three varsity letters. His signature jump shot—barely leaving the floor—was as precise as his leadership was steady.
But Frank’s true legacy unfolded after graduation. He didn’t chase the spotlight—he built it for others. Starting as a scout for the San Diego Rockets in 1969, he launched a 42-year career in professional basketball. He became a trusted assistant coach for teams like the Denver Nuggets, Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls, and Los Angeles Lakers, often working alongside Phil Jackson.
He served as interim head coach for both the Bucks and Lakers, but his greatest impact came behind the scenes. Frank helped shape championship dynasties—winning seven NBA titles as an assistant coach: two with the Bulls and five with the Lakers. In those championships Frank was 18-0, winning all the games, he was the leader of the scouting and preparing the game plan.
Frank Hamblen was not just a coach. He was a student of the game, a mentor to legends, and a quiet architect of greatness. His story reminds us that history is not only made by those in the spotlight—it’s built by those who elevate others to shine.
Frank passed suddenly at the age of 70 years old at his home in California. His life was celebrated in California with Kobe Bryant, of the Los Angeles Lakers as speaker as well as Reverend Keith Jenkins a family pastor. In Terre Haute, IN, his hometown, he was also celebrated by close friends and Garfield alumni. Rev. Steve Moore, a Garfield graduate, and Garfield baseball Coach Don Jennings spoke at his celebration of life.
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