Boy Scout Troop 201 celebrates golden anniversary

For more than 50 years, Boy Scouts of America Troop 201 has shaped the lives of Abilene boys in association with Abilene Christian University and Abilene Christian Schools. Sunday, Oct. 7, the troop celebrated its golden anniversary at the University Church of Christ in Abilene.

The troop held a rededication ceremony for the Scout Hut located next to ACU's Smith-Adams Halls. The recently refurbished hut has been the meeting place for Troop 201 since the 1980s.

Troop 201, originally designated Troop 1, was started in 1956 by J.W. Roberts, a Greek professor at ACU. Since that time, 211 boys have been scouts in the troop. This reunion also celebrated the 74 Eagle Scouts from Troop 201 to date. Twelve percent of the scouts from this troop have become Eagle Scouts. The national average is 5 percent.

This celebration brought 175 boy scouts, troop leaders, and Eagle Scouts from the 1960s to the present together. The event was the largest collection of Eagle Scouts in the troop's history, with 27 Eagles attending, including Don Bacon, the troop's first Eagle, and Jay Tindol, its most recent, said Dr. Neal Coates, current Assistant Scout Master and the director of the 50-year reunion.

"Many dedicated adults have contributed to the welfare and progress of Troop 201," said Coates. "These men include J. W. Roberts, for whom the Scout Hut was named, Bill Decker, Dr. Charlie Marler, Kent Barnett, Gene Linder, Dempsey Peterson, and the list goes on and on."

If you are a member of the media who would like more information about this release, please contact ACU's Public Relations Office or call (325) 674-2696.