Bernard Derrick was born and raised in Terrell and was the oldest of six children and the son of Vallie Marie Derrick. Derrick was a naturally gifted athlete who excelled in all sports and regularly received recognition for his outstanding talent on the baseball and football field. During his time on the Terrell High School football team, Derrick had great success as the quarterback for the JV football team. His passion and commitment drove him to work towards becoming the starting quarterback for the varsity team by his senior year. On September 7, 1977, during his junior year, Derrick and his teammates were outside practicing on an unfavorably stormy day, and he was struck by lightning. Derrick was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. Bernard’s death received attention from many school districts, teams, college programs, and sports professionals. The unfortunate circumstances surrounding his death had an immediate impact on many local, state, and national high school and college athletic programs to improve their severe weather policies and procedures. Along with several classrooms, a recording and TV studio, and a weight room, the Terrell Multipurpose Activity Center also houses an indoor practice field, which ensures that all Terrell student athletes have a safe indoor practice facility in the event of inclement and dangerous weather.
Coach Leon Vineyard, a Terrell resident, was born September 23, 1917 in Highland, Texas. He graduated from Canton High School; North Texas State Teachers College and received his master’s degree from East Texas State University in Commerce. A three-time letterman in football at North Texas State Teachers College, he also played basketball at North Texas from 1936-1940. He was a member of two Lone Star Conference championship teams in 1936 and 1939; he was named a Little All-American after the 1939 season. He was the head football coach for Terrell High School from 1948 to 1968 were he won the State 2A State Championship in 1952 and 1957 and he taught at Terrell High School from 1948 until his retirement in 1983. A member of the Texas High School Coaches Hall of Fame, Vineyard was inducted into the North Texas Athletics Hall of Fame in 1991. Coach Vineyard passed away on October 29, 2004 in Terrell.
The naming ceremonies will take place during the 2021 Athletic Hall of Fame events on Friday, October 15, 2021. The Bernard Derrick Multipurpose Activity Center dedication ceremony will immediately follow the Hall of Fame Luncheon and Reception that is scheduled to be held at the Terrell Athletic Complex at 11:30 a.m. The Leon Vineyard Field dedication ceremony will take place at Terrell Memorial Stadium prior to the Hall of Fame Pre-Game Dedication Ceremony which is scheduled to be begin at 7:00p.m. As additional details of these events become available they will be shared with the community.