Tradition is defined by the handing down of statements, beliefs, legends, customs and information. It is safe to say that AHS is big on tradition, especially on the football team. The real question is: where did the traditions begin?

The 1959 team is best known as the first AHS football team to ever win the state division championship. The 44 varsity players at the time were coached by assistant coach Bob Muirhead and the famed AHS head coach, Ed Henry.

Over the course of 54 years the 1959 team has stayed in touch with each other as well as their coach. Years after the team left AHS, the boys reunited in their first reunion. They had guys come from all over the country and from places around the world show up and reunite with one another.

“I knew names but not faces. It was magical. I saw them as 18 year olds all over again,” Russ Snyder said. “We’re the closest team you will ever find; we love each other.”

Members of the team, most in their 70s now have carried their bond with each other outside of the field. Not only has the team stayed in touch, but they have remained a team with their coach.

In 1959, most kids at AHS were not well off financially due to the lack of work in the area. At the time, AHS’s  first principal Rob Buckley covered most of the team’s expenses as well as supported them in every way he could. Together with Head Coach Henry, the team went down in AHS history.

“Ed Henry basically kept kids out of jail, he was such a role model to us. The legacy of winning at AHS was established by Coach Henry,” Snyder said.

Henry took over the varsity team in 1957 as head coach after previously serving as the JV coach the year before. Henry put AHS on the map as a football powerhouse. He installed the winning tradition in every member of his team. Henry led AHS to championships in 1959, 1962 and 1964. Snyder described him as being a “hard coach, with strong morals who expected no trouble. Just a great guy.”

The 1959 team became famous for its undefeated record of 8-0-1, winning eight games and tying one game with Wakefield. The team never played a home game because they had no stadium to play in at the time.

“We were a very good team. No one could touch us,” Snyder said.

The Atoms gave up on average only four points a game and only 40 all year. They were known for having the best defense in the area.

“They were a very good group. Not just because they won, but because they went on do good outside of football,” Henry said.

The defense became known as The Bandits: a name mirrored after the LSU Tigers. The name stuck with the Atoms football team to this day. The offensive team became known as The Guns and the special teams became known as The Renegades.

“We went out on the field with a mindset that we couldn’t be beat. If we wanted to win, we would win,” Snyder said. “We’re the closest team you will ever find. We are all brothers.”

The 1959 Atoms racked up a total score of 242 points all season, and one player from the team, Sunny Utz, went on to play professionally with the Dallas Cowboys for two years.

With an undefeated record, the team went on to be district champions, and later on dominating states.

“I was proud, I was happy, it was the best time of my life, it was the brotherhood, and we couldn’t be beat. I learned more from my coach than anyone in my life,” Snyder said.

Throughout the current football season, Head Coach Mike Scott has been in contact with Snyder as well as his fellow teammates who have been a source of inspiration for Coach Scott.

The team of 1959 has recently sent AHS a trophy to be put in the display case in Jock Lobby to represent its championship season as well as the accomplishments of its esteemed head coach. The trophy is also to honor Principal Buckley who gave the boys on that team an opportunity to achieve greatness.

Lastly, Snyder stated what he wants the current AHS team to remember as they represent their school on the field. “They’re winners, you’re a winner, you can’t be beat if you won’t be beat. Just play. We wouldn’t accept a loss and you don’t walk away from it. Be a gentleman, have good sportsmanship, and play football,” Snyder said.