HARLINGEN — “Bird Gang. It’s a family thing.”
Marcy Martinez had the spirited smile of a true Cardinal fan. She proudly wore a flaming red shirt with the stern glare of a Cardinal. Several other loyal alumni also wore shirts declaring their devotion.
“Cardinal spirit never dies for me,” said Martinez.
She had joined several other like-minded individuals outside the Harlingen school district Athletics Office at 905 E. Tyler Ave. yesterday afternoon. They were waiting to pick up their season football tickets, which they’d reserved. They also planned to obtain their code cards which will allow easier access during playoff games.
Rosie and Paul Carmona were the first to arrive Sunday at 9:30 a.m. and everyone had slowly lined up after them along the wall.
Rosie Carmona, who graduated in 1978, reflected on her years with the school’s drill team.
“I love it,” she said nostalgically. “Every time I hear my 70s songs it takes me back to my high school years.”
She wasn’t the only die-hard Cardinal fan to stake their claim to a section of the parking lot in anticipation of ticket disbursals.
“I have been here since Sunday at 11:30 a.m.,” said Mary Lou Cordero, 56, who graduated with the class of ‘72.
Those purchasing season Cardinal tickets would pay $35 for five home games, or $70 for both home and away games. The home game package for Harlingen High School South, which will go on sale tomorrow, will cost $42 because the Hawks have six home games.
Season ticket purchases have been a tradition for many HHS alumni.
“I have been getting them for 24 years,” Cordero said.
“I have had them for 43 years,” said Sylvia Cruz. “My husband, he played football.”
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