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One of Mike Owens’ favorite sayings is, “If my players are happy, then I’m happy.”

His former Robert E. Lee Red Raiders football players were very happy on Thursday as the Mike Owens Fieldhouse was dedicated during a ceremony at Tyler Legacy High School.

Owens, who led the Red Raiders to the 2004 Class 5A Division I state championship, was smiling as a number of his former players and coaches were on hand for the dedication.

“This is a honor I never dream of,” said Owens, who is celebrating a 50-year reunion of his Tulane Green Wave team and the 20th anniversary of leading the Red Raiders to the state title this year.

“This is an honor for the coaching staff, me, and the many wonderful players we had over our 15 years in the Tyler ISD.”

Pointing to the plaque that adorns the fieldhouse, “My coaches and players should be listed up there too.”

He thanked many for the honor, including former Tyler ISD Athletic Director Danny Long, Tyler ISD board member Andy Bergfeld, current Tyler Superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford, along with his players, coaches, principals, the Tyler Lee Mom’s Club, Randy Womble, Julius Bergfeld, his family, the late Ray Thompson, and “so many others, I don’t want to forget anyone.”

Former assistant coaches Gary Fleet and Dow Wynn were on hand.

Andy Bergfeld, Long and Crawford spoke how Owens made the Red Raiders into a great program.

“(Coach Owens) turned Tyler Lee into a program that was known not only around Texas, but around the nation,” Andy Bergfeld said.

In 1996, Owens came to East Texas, taking over the Tyler Lee program. He built the Red Raiders into a powerhouse, winning five district championships and earning playoff berths in 13 of 15 seasons.

Plus, Owens led REL to the first state football championship in school history. He coached the Red Raiders from 1996 to 2010 and compiled an overall record of 111-69. He has the highest winning percentage (.616) in Tyler Lee/Legacy football coaching history.

Before coming to Tyler, he coached at Port Arthur Jefferson High School.

He retired from Tyler Lee after the 2010 season. He coached one season at Frankston and finished with a career record of 191-133-2.

Owens was inducted into the Tyler ISD Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019.

The Tyler ISD Board of Trustees voted unanimously last year to name the fieldhouse in Owens’ honor.