As kids, countless Bearcats imagined themselves scoring a touchdown under the end zone oak, located on the northern end of War Memorial Field, but many will instead be a part of a different tradition. 

Before school returned in June of 2023, the Paso Robles community learned that the fabled end zone oak was dying, but with it, they have brought forth a part of a Paso Oak with a plaque dedicated to all the players and coaches who have taken the field here donning the crimson. 

Head coach of Bearcat Football, Matt Carroll, said that it “symbolizes, not so much a tree, but people in our community, that’s the big thing”

Now, as the varsity football team lines up, before running out on the field less than 10 minutes before kick off, they touch the memorial oak placed by Ron Daniels, father of Sam Daniels, who is a current senior on the varsity team. This is a testament to the history of all those that have come before them, and the many memories that have ensued over the decades that it decorated the end zone.

Bearcat coach Tim Alvord put it best, stating that the loss of the oak tree was proof “progress has a price” in an essay given to the Bearcat football team at the end of last year. The tree is associated with about any memory of Bearcat Football. Being the 2014 CIF Champions. Every single home win against Atascadero. It was there.

“I played youth football, and I remember every time at home, we’d go underneath that tree, have our big speeches right there, and our coaches would pump us up… …And then at halftime, we’d go back, have our snacks, and chill underneath the shade,” senior Brandon England said.

England’s words are a demonstration of the sentimental value of the oak, and how for many players, the new tradition takes them back to their childhood memories and dreams. For them, it’s more than something that they’re simply told to do before games.

“I remember being 10 years old… …you would look up at the field and you would see the oak tree, and you dream of playing there someday. I think that’s the symbol of, that’s the big house, so to speak, in Paso Robles. So when you get the opportunity to play there, it’s really special,” Coach Carroll said.

 Watching the players touch the memorial before taking the field, it was clear how those dreams come to life as they take the field. The end zone oak may now be gone, but the many memories of Bearcat football, old and new, will forever live on through today’s memorial.