The Texas Legacy Support Network (TLSN) is an independent organization not associated with the University of Texas or any organization closely aligned with U.T.
TLSN has two missions: sharing the history of all Longhorn sports and offering temporary financial assistance to those who qualify.
On April 29th, 2017, TLSN made intercollegiate athletic sports history. TLSN is the first private charitable and tax-exempt with the specific mission of offering temporary financial assistance to qualifying former Longhorn student-athletes, coaches, student managers, trainers, and their immediate families.
Through the years, an organization supporting former players of DKR (LSG), and Texas Legacy Support Network, a 501(c)(3), has offered temporary financial assistance to 16 qualifiers, totaling $186,138.
“The Board of Directors of TLSN hopes for good health, good luck, good families, good jobs, and goodwill to all Longhorns.
However, TLSN remains as a sentinel prepared to assist qualifying Longhorns when help is needed.
Ralph Waldo Emerson said,
”Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” TLSN has left the established path and is building new trails to remember the past, celebrate the present, and empower the future.”
HTTPS:// TEXASLSN.ORG
The History of TLSN
Initially, TLSN had no wind in its sails, so we had to row. The organization's website made 19,000 impressions in 2016, but it almost flatlined this year.
By the end of 2017, TLSN once again had a heartbeat
The TLSN Board of Directors' determination and perseverance, along with the support of the U.T. Athletic Department, enabled TLSN to become the empathetic organization it is today. Despite objections from various individuals, TLSN has grown and is expected to exceed a million impressions on the web in 2024.
It took “touches of support” from TLSN donors, Longhorn visionary Jimmy Nixon, the former Chairman of the University of Texas Board of Regents- Gene Powell, teammate Syd Keasler, President of Frost Bank, Pat Frost, UT administrators Ricky Brown and Jill Sterkel, Longhorn Hall of Honor inductee and two-time participant Miami Super bowl participant Glenn Blackwood, interim Athletic Director Mike Perrin, and present Executive Senior Associate AD/Chief of State Chris Plonsky’s professional input, to help resurrect a mission on life support.
Fortunately, most but not all former Longhorn student-athletes and support staff personnel have successfully transitioned to the job market with health insurance and loss of income safety nets. Still, help is needed for some, and TLSN donors have opened their hearts and wallets to extend a helping hand to all former Longhorn brand builders who have fallen through the societal safety nets.
If you have questions about TLSN, please contact Billydale1@gmail.com for answers.
The inspiration for the TLSN (Texas Legacy Support Network) mission was inspired by LSG (Legacy Support Group). LSG assisted:
1) One teammate rebuilt his home destroyed by fire.
2) One Horn recovers from hurricane damage.
3) Another qualifier recovers his repossessed truck loss due to a lack of income during a prolonged illness.
4) Three teammates defray significant medical expenses not covered by insurance: and
5) Two families defray the cost of caring for a loved one with CTE.
The LSG gifts varied between $8,500 and $25,000.
TLSN Grants Have Helped:
A former Longhorn volleyball player whose son had Leukemia.
A football player lost his teeth during throat/mouth radiation treatment for cancer. This individual received financial assistance to pay his living expenses and purchase teeth implants.
Tyres Dickson is a Mack Brown football player confined to a wheelchair for life due to a horrific 1998 car accident. Tyres has spent many of the last 20-plus years in and out of hospitals. In 2022, Tyres and TLSN were honored with a standing ovation at the Houston Touchdown Club.
A football player who had surgery for a heart aneurysm.
The wife of one Longhorn football player who qualified for reasons that will remain private.
Over the last decade, longhorn baseball player Pat Brown has suffered severe health issues.
All six passed the due diligence test. TLSN continues to help Tyres Dickson and Pat Brown.
Grants for these 6 varied between $2000 and $45,000.
TLSN wants to help more who qualify for assistance. Please spread the word about the TLSN mission! It is a compassionate and worthy cause assisting those who have built the Longhorn brand.