FRIDAY NIGHT FACES: Chained To Game

Bentonville Crew Keeps Tradition Alive

David Hook, left, and Todd Hook walk down the sideline to move the first down measuring chain and sticks
during the game between Bentonville and Fayetteville on Nov. 2 at Tiger Stadium in Bentonville.
David Hook, left, and Todd Hook walk down the sideline to move the first down measuring chain and sticks during the game between Bentonville and Fayetteville on Nov. 2 at Tiger Stadium in Bentonville.

Editor’s Note: This is the 11th in a season-long series on people involved in Friday night football. The series will highlight those who play key roles in making high school football a special event each week in small towns and big cities across Northwest Arkansas.

It’s a fall tradition that has been kept for a plethora of Friday nights.

Dr. Todd Hook picks up his father, Walton, and they head to another Bentonville football game. They are joined by a third family member, David Hook, and longtime friend Len Chandler, then they make their way to their customary spot at Tiger Stadium.

Instead of a spot in the bleachers, these four men make their way to the opponents’ sideline. They make up the chain gang, and they wouldn’t have it any other way.

“It’s fun to be down on the field and see the game from a different perspective, a different angle,” Todd Hook said. “You see things develop, unlike what you see in the stands.”

Walton Hook, 67, can’t remember exactly when he began working the chains, but he started doing it by helping a friend when another member had moved away. Todd followed suit about 15 years ago, when games were still being played at the old Tiger Stadium, while David first started as a replacement, then began doing it fulltime when his dad had knee surgery and had to sit out.

Chandler saw his dad, Bob, work the chains for approximately 30 years, and he started filling in when needed about 20 years ago. He was part of the group with Walton Hook, then watched as the two younger Hooks entered the picture.

They remember the days at old Tiger Stadium and when everything was moved to the new athletic facility. They have witnessed the transformation of Bentonville’s football team from one that struggled year in and year out to a one that has won three state championships in a 10-year period and has become perennial state contender.

“It’s great,” Walton said. “There’s no pressure; we know we’re going to be there.

“The thing that jumps out the most is the way the team has grown and the support of the fans. The old Tiger Stadium wasn’t much of a facility. This is a football town now, partly because of (Bentonville) coach (Barry) Lunney and partly because of this community.”

Their reliability gives Bentonville athletic director Scott Passmore one less thing he must worry about when he makes game-day preparations. In fact, he has never had to call them and remind them of a game.

When the game starts, Walton Hook and David Hook man the chains, while Todd handles the down marker and Chandler manages the clip. Their duties not only give them a closer view of the game, but also what the opposing team is trying to do most of the time.

“It’s the best seat in the house,” Chandler said. “You’re on the sideline — albeit the opposing sideline — but still it’s exciting to be part of the game. We try to be invisible over there, but it’s an important job and one that as to be done.”

Their longevity has allowed the four to witness the variety of teams and players that have made their way, as well as get to know many of the officials that have called games. Although it’s not hard to stop them on the opposing sidelines, each of them say they try their best to be invisible during games.

They agree that most of the opposing players and coaches are very disciplined and respectful of them, and they go through a majority of games without incident. There will be times when they witness coaches and players resort to foul language, and they admit they have heard some of those words launched their direction.

The worst incident they have been a part of came during a playoff game last year. A visiting player took his frustration out on David Hook — the group’s largest person — right after being ejected.

“As we were walking past him with the chains, he spit on me,” David said. “As I turned to look at him, he bowed up and threatened me. At that time, I turned around and went out to the referee, showed him the spit and had the player removed from the stadium.”

They have also worked a number of games without any of them being hit by a player going out of bounds on a play. There have been a number of close calls, though.

“There were times in the earlier days when I was almost hit,” Walton Hook said. “From then on, when they start coming our way, we drop the chains and get out of the way. It’s just self-preservation.”

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