Gould Cooksey Fennell partners David Carter and Todd Fennell are deeply rooted in the history of Vero Beach. Though they have practiced law together for the past 30 years, their long-standing partnership started on the football field. This year marks the 40th anniversary of their Florida state championship win over Panama City as Vero Beach High School Fighting Indians.
This past weekend, the 1981 team was honored at the Citrus Bowl during the VBHS homecoming football game. Although rain and lighting postponed the game, several local journalists gathered to write about the recognition. The TC Palm articles “Vero Beach Football Reminisces 40th Anniversary of State Title Win” by Bryan Cooney and “What Makes Vero Beach High’s Little Rascals Legend Live On?” by Laurence Reisman walk through the winning season.
The team at the time were certainly known as underdogs, and later were referred to as the “Little Rascals”. Even so, with almost every game coming down to the wire they managed to beat the odds. At the finish of the season they walked away with 12-1 record, which many contribute to their remarkable defense. The articles include the comments of David Carter, defensive lineman, and Todd Fennell, quarterback, who reminisce about how then coach Billy Livings skillfully brought the team together for each win.
Several GCF attorneys and staff members are proud to be fighting Indians, and we are privileged to be able to give our continued support to the team. No doubt the sense of community and support brought on by this victory still influence David and Todd in their work today, supporting Vero Beach and Indian River County by committing themselves to the legal needs of the people who call it home.
Cooney, Bryan. “Vero Beach Football Remembers 40th Anniversary of State Championship Win.” TC Palm, Treasure Coast Newspapers, 9 Oct. 2021, https://www.tcpalm.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2021/10/08/vero-beach-high-school-football-remembers-40th-anniversary-state-title-win/6022544001/.
Reisman, Laurence. “What Makes Vero Beach High’s Little Rascals Legend Live On?” TC PALM, Treasure Coast Newspapers, 12 Oct. 2021, https://www.tcpalm.com/story/opinion/columnists/laurence-reisman/2021/10/11/vero-beach-football-why-little-rascals-still-revered-opinion/6066629001/
