Meet the Railers prefaced with
dedication of new and improved Handlin Field and track
[August 17, 2026]
The Friday night Meet the Railers event at Lincoln community
High School was prefaced by a special ribbon cutting ceremony
celebrating the recent updates made to Handlin Field and its
surrounding track.
According to information provided by LCHS Dean of Students Abigail
Curry, “the grass field and existing track were completely removed.
Following dirt work, multiple layers of rock and underlayment were
placed. A concrete curb was poured. Then the turf was installed,
followed by an infill material. The infill is a newer material that
will provide a cooler playing surface than older-generation turf
fields. The track was completely replaced with asphalt; the actual
track surface overlay will be installed later this fall. The north
end will be a track material for high jump. The south end will be
turf material for an additional practice/warmup area.”
Friday evening, a huge crowd gathered behind the ribbon for the
cutting. LCHS board members and staff, Railer Football team members
and other LCHS student athletes, Railer Cheerleaders and poms team,
Little Miss Logan County Finely Farmer, Junior Miss Logan County
Falyn Farmer, Lincoln Mayor Tracy Welch, Lincoln Aldermen Stan
Anderson, Kevin Bateman, Dennis Clemmons, Lincoln City Clerk Peggy
Bateman, LCHS Superintendent Dwight Stricklin and brothers Dan and
Bill Handlin were included.
The Handlin’s are the grandsons of W.C. Handlin for whom the
football field is named.
The evening began with Superintendent Stricklin welcoming the crowd
in the bleachers and offering brief words of gratitude to the
faculty, student athletes and their families for their support of
Railer sports programs. He wasted no time turning the evening over
to the two special guests for the evening, the Handlin Brothers.
First to speak was Dan Handlin. He began by expressing his feelings
for returning to his alma mater. He said that earlier in the day
Stricklin had provided the brothers with a tour of the high school
in its entirety and that the community had much to be proud of in
their school.
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He accented his speech with occasional shouts “We are Lincoln”
exciting the crowd who cheered with him. He turned to talking about
growing up in Lincoln and living life with his grandfather W. C.
Handlin. He said he had been introduced to flying at the Logan
County Airport and that set the course for his career.
Bill Handlin spoke second and pointed out a flag being held by his
wife. He said that it was the first flag over Handlin Field at its
original dedication. His grandmother had held the flag as it was
raised and when it happened, Dan and Bill’s father, W.C.’s son,
said, “Nothing could have been better to preserve my father’s memory
than this. His goal was to develop good men and women in the
classroom and on the playing field. That was his life. His fondest
dream was that his memory would live on in your hearts and minds.
And this wish is fulfilled tonight.” The Handlin grandson then added
“and again tonight.” He concluded by saying, “God bless you, God
bless Lincoln, God bless W.C.”
The program moved quickly into the snipping of the red ribbon by the
two brothers. As the two began to exit the field, Bill Handlin
offered up a few final words thanking superintendent Stricklin for
his dedication to the school. He concluded, “this school is the
finest in the country, and Railers you are blessed to play on
Handlin Field, the best Field in the country.”
The evening then progressed to the traditional Meet the Railers
night always held the week prior to the first football game of the
season.
Handlin Field dedication video playlist
[Nila Smith]
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