Lester J. Beene
- Born
- ?
- High School
- Roosevelt High School, Gary, IN
- Colleges
- Wiley College, University of Michigan
- Coaching Record
- ?
- Titles
- ?
- PVILCA Inductee Class
- 1987
- Inductor
- Ray Don Dillion
- Sport
- Basketball
Wilbur H. "Stretch" Byrd attended Roosevelt High School, Gary, Indiana where he starred in football and basketball. "Stretch" attended Wiley College in Marshall, Texas, on football and basketball scholarships and the University of Michigan where he received his Masters in Administration.
Byrd began his coaching career at St. Paul High School in Greenville, Texas in 1939 and moved to Central High in Galveston in 1941. At Central his team won a state title in 1944 plus runner-up in 1946 and 1956. He moved to Kirkpatrick and coached from 1956 to 1958 and became vice-principal of Dunbar Middle School.
As an athlete, Coach Byrd was outstanding in High School and College. He was elected to the "Greater Gary Athletes of the Twentieth Century Honor Roll" and to the "Athletes and Coaches Hall of Fame" where his name is listed along side of such greats as Tom Harmon, Alex Karras, Fred Williamson, Tony Zale, Lee Calhoun, Hank Strum, "Tip" O'Dell, and many others. Wilbur H. "Stretch" Byrd, we welcome you to the Ex-PVILCA Hall of Honor.