Here’s A History Lesson About Bay High School
Bay High School
There are so many noteworthy schools in Bay County. From Marlins to Rams and Dolphins to Bucks our school pride runs deep. This menagerie of memorabilia before you is 100% authentic and full of decades-old school spirit.
For this History Lesson, we’re going to focus on the home of the Tornadoes. Downtown Panama City’s very own Bay High.
September 13, 1926, marked the grand opening of what at the time was a pretty big school for our area. It had one office, twelve classrooms, and an auditorium. At the time Bay High was situated on the outskirts of town which was just over one mile from St. Andrews Bay.
Tommy Oliver Stadium
Over the next 40 years, the school expanded and grew with the city. This included a brand new football stadium which would be named after Tommy Oliver. Bay County’s "All-American Boy."
In 1924, Tommy began his freshman year and joined Bay High’s first football team known as the “Purple Tornadoes.”
As a quarterback, his sportsmanship was legendary. Once, on a final quarter first down and goal, Tommy gave every man in the Tornado backfield a chance to carry the ball and score the winning touchdown but all attempts failed.
It wasn’t until the crowd began cheering for him to take the ball that he took the final snap and fought his way over the goal line.
After high school, Tommy played some college ball and ended up on the Brooklyn Tigers professional football team. But his heart never left the bay.
In 1938 he returned to Panama City, became the Bay High athletic director, and led the Tornadoes all the way to the Northwest Florida High School Conference Championship.
Coach Oliver was a true patriot and at 34 years old with a wife and two children at home, he answered his country’s call to defend freedom in WWII. He fought bravely but sadly was killed in battle by a Japanese sniper while giving medical aid to one of his fellow Marines.
Since 1945, Tommy Oliver Stadium has honored the memory of Bay County’s "All-American Boy." and every Bay County High School graduate who died in service to our country in WWII. Thank you, Tommy.
Be true to your school
In 1976, we said goodbye to the original school building. Our city was growing and Bay High needed modern facilities capable of accommodating more students.
Ya know, buildings may come and go but memories, if cherished last for generations. And here in Panama City, our memories are just getting started.
So we say cheers to all of the alma matters that make Bay County a special place to call home.