Donations to booster club sought in honor of Underwood

Leon Underwood, a former star athlete and later a coach for the Piggott Mohawks, died Sunday, Dec. 28, at Fayetteville. In recognition of his contributions to, and support of, past Piggott sports teams former Mohawk athletes are being asked to make a donation to the Mohawk Booster Club in his memory.

Underwood was a graduate of Piggott High School, and later played football for Southwestern at Memphis. During World War II he served in the U.S. Navy, and earned the Purple Heart when his ship was sank in the South Pacific.

Following the war Underwood attended Arkansas State where he played football, baseball and ran track. After graduating he returned to Piggott where he taught and coached from 1947-1952. During this time the Mohawks excelled, and had several teams advance to postseason play. In fact, one of Underwood's baseball teams advanced to the state tournament, and a large contingent of Piggott residents chartered a train to Stuttgart to watch them play.

In later years Underwood also coached football at Charleston, Mo. and at West Memphis.

Anyone wishing to make a donation in memory of Coach Underwood may do so by mailing it to, Piggott Mohawk Booster Club, 429 East Main Street, Piggott, Ark., 72454.