The Legend of the 109

Fort Worth, Texas has long been known as a city with colorful characters, some famous and some infamous. The inhabitants of Funky Town, as some have called it, take great pride in their city. Understanding the inner workings of the city center and the intra-city rivalries can take a life of its own. In some parts of the country, people identify with a phone number prefix. In Fort Worth, the last 3 digits of your zip code can identify you. In the greater TCU / Tanglewood area, citizens are simply known as 109ers.

Legend has it, back in the 1970’s, as kids from the 109 were bused to Como Elementary in 2nd grade, kids began to use the term 109 as they bused to and fro the 107 aka the Westside. As the sweet 109 children rode the affectionately named Blue Fish bus from the 107, they would cross the Hulen Street Bridge over Vickery Blvd and the train tracks. South of Vickery (SOVIC) was the destination. The 109 children would scream in unison to Freddy the bus driver, “Get us over the bridge to the 109!” As Freddy would apply the gas, an unusually high bump in the southern most part of the Hulen Bridge awaited the Blue Fish. 109ers in the back of the bus would cheer loudly as their heads would bump the ceiling of ‘ol Freddy’s Blue Fish.
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While the "Legend of the 109" has a simple beginning, the Panther Nation 109 Youth Football Program has a simple and common goal...help build Strength, Sportsmanship, Character, Discipline and Dedication among our youth players and build a strong program that will be proud to send great players to the mighty Paschal Panthers.