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The White Oak Athletic Club is a non-profit youth
recreation club formed in 1949. At that time Joe
Haubner
and Joe Betsch stood on a hill at the end of Paramount Ridge Lane
and wondered aloud what could be done with the creek running between the
two hills at the end of what is now White Oak Drive.
Joe Betsch had been active in baseball in the Groesbeck area and
suggested that a ball field could be built on the site. The two pooled
their resources as local builders and began hauling ground and grading
hills. On weekends Mr. Betsch and his wife Dorothy would cut down trees
with a hand saw. Soon it became apparent that they would need funding
for the teams.
Joe Betsch went to local people and asked for $100 to support the
teams. He collected approximately $1100. The first meeting of the
White Oak Athletic Association was held in 1949 at the home of Joe and
Dorothy Betsch. Frank Ulrich was elected the first president. Joe
Haubner was made an honorary
member for contributing the use of the 5 acre tract of land which is now
Haubner
Field.
Open meetings and membership drives were held and the WOAA grew by leaps
and bounds.
Many members of the community, including the ball players, volunteered
many hours to get the field
ready for Opening Day. Joe Zugelter's chicken house was moved to the
grounds for a concession stand. The outfield fence was built from the
trees that were cut down to make room for the
field.
 Opening
Day at Haubner
field
was April 23, 1950. The festivities began with a parade, prizes,
speakers and the presentation of a flag from the White Oak Civic
Association.
The White Oak Athletic Club currently sponsors boys and girls in
Baseball, Softball, Soccer, Basketball, and Instructional programs. Our
membership is over 1500 families.
Haubner
Field
now has 3 baseball/softball diamonds which are also used for soccer,
concession stand, batting cage and our newest addition, Joe Betsch
Fieldhouse.


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