Hall of Fame
David Flowers first arrived at Panhandle State University in 1976, just after he graduated from Panhandle High School. Not yet knowing exactly what he wanted to do with his career, he stayed only a few days in Goodwell, Okla., before returning home to Perryton, Texas to take time to decide where life would take him. A few years later as luck would have it, the short time away led to two turning points in Flowers' life. David met the woman who would become his wife, LouAnn, and he joined a softball league in Guymon. While playing softball, Flowers spoke with a few league friends who were playing football at Panhandle State at the time. His comrades convinced him to speak with Coach Don Cortez and Coach Harry Walker, after which he was offered a walk-on position with Panhandle Football as a defensive tackle.
That summer, Flowers put his home in Perryton up for sale. He describes how a close friend of his who happened to be the manager of United Supermarket purchased the house from him. "He didn't want me to have any excuses not to leave," says Flowers. Flowers admitted his nerves almost got the best of him, but recalled fondly how his wife, LouAnn was the foundation of support during his time before returning to Panhandle State. Flowers said, "I just really wanted to play football. I watched it all the time on TV and thought how I had lost my chance to do that." LouAnn, though, made sure to set him straight. "She said to me, 'They don't know you like I know you, you will get a scholarship to play football.' I couldn't have done it without her," says Flowers. He and his family returned to Goodwell, Okla. just before the start of 1976 school year.
Flowers' transition back to campus and college athletics differed slightly from the norm, returning to Panhandle State as a 22-year-old freshman, married with one child. He, his wife LouAnn, and their first son Steven lived in married housing on the Panhandle campus. "There were about ten or so other married athletes and we all got to hang out together, we watched Monday Night Football together. I made some of my very best friends in college," said Flowers. Flowers shares a warmhearted memory of his oldest son climbing over the back fence and running onto the field as practice was ending; "It was a very blessed time for me during my four years there."
Flowers remained at Panhandle State until he graduated with a degree in Physical Education in 1980 as a revered defensive tackle, husband, and father of three. During his time with Aggie football he received honors as First Team All-District IX Honorable Mention, NAIA All-American Alternate, Tom Schaef Memorial Award, and Most Valued Player of the 1980 team. "I had an absolute blast, during season and off-season. We stayed on campus all year-round because we lived in married housing. It is a close knit community," he recalls of his time as an Aggie. He also spoke warmly of his professors and past PSU President, Dr. Thomas Palmer, saying, "He was a friendly guy, you could talk to him and not be nervous or scared, the advisors were great, teachers were wonderful and hilarious. They all took care of you, it was like a big family." Flowers continued, "You could gripe about what isn't here or you could be happy about what is here and enjoy all of it, and that's exactly what I did."Â Flowers also held the title of Class President his junior and senior years during his time at Panhandle State, and was a member of the illustrious 'O'-Club for varsity letter winners.
After leaving Panhandle State, Flowers expanded his football roots and spent the next thirty years coaching before recently retiring in 2016. Flowers built an impressive resume, coaching at Marietta, Gruver, Merkle and Canadian.  While coaching at Merkle, Flowers was honored as the Big Country Coach of the Year, and during his time at Canadian he led the team on to two consecutive trips to the state semifinals in 1998 and 1999. Flowers then spent time building a startup program from scratch as the head coach at Bushland where he eventually took the team to the State Championship in 2009. In September, 2009, Flowers announced he would return to his hometown of Perryton and received a warm welcome as the head coach at Perryton High School. Flowers' eldest son, Steven walked in his father's footsteps as head coach at Bushland before making the transition to Stinette, Texas, where he is currently the head coach at West Texas High School. At this news, Flowers came out of retirement after just one short year, but for a worth it occasion. David and LouAnn made the move to Stinette and David joined his son, Steven, on the coaching staff at West Texas High for the 2017 season.
Flowers made appearances at two previous Aggie Hall of Fame ceremonies before being inducted himself. He attended the 2015 induction of his friend John Winchester, and served as the introduction speaker for his two close friends Mike Lee and Larry Welch as they were inducted in 2015 and 2016, respectively. Flowers was ecstatic to learn of his own induction into the Aggie Hall of Fame, exclaiming, "I couldn't believe it, it was awesome. This is really something, for your alma mater to be able to have something like this. It means a lot to me and it means a lot as an ex-player. It's an important event and I am very proud to be a part of it."
As Flowers reminisces about his past as an Aggie, he wishes to extend his heartfelt thanks to all those who supported him. "I want to thank Coach Walker and Coach Gribble for giving me a chance. I was in the right place at the right time and I don't know where I'd be without them." The person at the top of his list of thanks, though, is his wife, LouAnn. "Holy moly," Flowers expresses candidly, "I couldn't have done anything without her. She really supported me and believed in me." A true testament to those who never give up, Flowers encourages, "It is never too late to accomplish your dreams."
