5/31/2024 -Steven Cohan remembers the 1970 UCLA game

Thanks for the fond and yet not so fond memory of a thrilling football game. I was a freshman, sitting in the student section on the east side of the stadium. My date and I were in the flash card section. My date was from Wichita, Kansas and she was pretty distraught about the plane crash the previous day that had killed many of the Wichita State football team the previous day. And of course, the game was a downer. We were standing on the boards that were our seats on the aisle of section 27. When Speyrer scored, my date lunged at me and threw her arms around me. I lost my balance and fell, landing on the back of my head on the concrete steps. While 66,500 were going crazy, I laid on the steps, bleeding from a scalp laceration. Once the stars stopped dancing in front of my eyes, we made our way to the Health Center, where I had six sutures put in my scalp. By Monday, the throbbing headache had subsided, I put on a Longhorn cap to cover the shaved area on the back of my head, and went to class.

Robert Goodlett- 2/24/202

For that UCLA game my seats were still in upper deck and it was 150*. By 3rd/Qtr, could have thrown a rock and not hit another Texas fan. A UCLA fan sitting in the area ask me “What’s with Y’all’s fans?” I just pointed at the Freddie Steinmark Scoreboard.

And as I do, stayed to the bitter end and sang ‘The Eyes’.

I was in St. Louis with all 47 other Texas fans for the FIRST BIG XII Championship....truly, one of the most cherished LONGHORN memories I carry around with me. After the game, we went down by the Mississippi to celebrate with a steak and EVERY Nebraska fan got up and came over and congratulated us. One guy had to be 90 and he told us that was the best team he ever saw Nebraska play......here I am with my buddy, Bill Bingham celebrating in Lincoln the HUGE upset over Nebraska in '98.

Richard Seifert- June 2024

As always, memories of the past. I lived about 6 blocks west of The Frisco, too expensive for our poor blood. 

A couple of thoughts:

Everybody "our age" loved Sam Ehlinger because he was a Longhorn at heart ! We have no evidence McCoy, Young, Campbell, were Longhorns at heart. Converts are nice, but natural born Longhorns seem better, more genuine ! (What's genuine today ?)

Randy Peschel, married my jr hi sweetheart, Sue Wright. I think they still live up by Billy. Randy's younger brother was on my intramural football team for 2 years. Very nice family.

My wife's best friend in college at OU was Lori Hughes, little sister of OU All American Randy Hughes, future Cowboy. I met him multiple times. He always said Tom Landry never wanted to get "close" to his players, didn't want his friendship to affect his playing-trading decisions.

Kind of interesting, being "right there", I can assure you, the Campbell twins, Jeff Zapalac, would Never have gotten scholarships to UT if their dads hadn't been coaches (unlimited scholarships back then) at UT. Then they go on to become starters !! You don't see any 1* getting scholarships today, developing into starters. Rick Nabors went to JC, before getting a scholarship and being a starter (He was teammate, good friends with Bill Zapalac, at McCallum)

One last question. Pat Shehan, definitely the greatest Longhorn who never was, no question. Talking about Central Texas, who was the greatest high school player who ALMOST became a Longhorn, didn't, then "disappeared" ??  One Texas sportswriter called him the best Central Texas athlete EVER !  John Harvey, old Anderson High School. (Austin's only black high school) I saw him live !! At that time, there was nothing like him ! He would have rewritten every rushing record. Saw him in the state track meet, unbelievable. Apparently Royal tried to recruit him ?? I've read several different stories. Couldn't qualify ? Some big donors weren't ready for a black running back ??  Oh well.

If you're ever looking for a good story, try to find some info on the mid 1960's game Beaumont Herbert Hebert vs Charlton Pollard. They were both top 5 (#1 vs #2 ?) in Texas black football. I was at that game in Beaumont. Unbelievable. Sold out, we sat on the sidelines. Bubba Smith. Mel Farr and Millar Farr (?) Most unusual, exciting, high school game I ever went to. My uncle lived in Beaumont. We were visiting. Went to the game. Out of 5,000 fans, probably 10 white people !! Never forget it.

Way off football. Google texasobserver.org.  Look up 2022 article: Rogue Surgeon, Dr Eric Scheffey

Takes 5-10 minutes, very interesting, very sad, as a physician makes me mad. After you read it, let me know. I will tell you "the rest of the story". By the way, a UT graduate.

As I've told you, I'm a TU sports fan, because I live 5 minutes away, tickets are cheap, and I've kind of gotten "in" with the Athletic Dept. New coach Kevin Wilson, his son, have been out fishing at my place. He was OC for Stoops, most recently at Ohio State. He's NOT a Texas fan, but would certainly take a job there. I got invited, along with some of the "big" donors, to a workout and breakfast a couple weeks ago. Small college coaching is a tough gig today !! How do you compete ? He was pointing out all the transfers, Purdue, UTEP, NC, OSU, Ark, etc. Also had lots of bball coaches, players, out fishing. Their top scorer, Portals to Memphis, #2 guy somewhere else. I don't see the end point of this. 20 years ago, TU got to the Elite 8, Sweet 16 twice. Those days are over, when your top guys leave. Oh well.

11/27/2023

Don Hays tells stories about the banquet and Coach Penders before and during the 1990 Cotton Bowl Miami and Texas game.

Billy Dale It was a BBQ dinner/banquet attended by both teams. Dallas society folks also attended it…the mayor and his wife, councilmen, judges, assorted politicians etc…

They had a live country band. The band took a break, and several Miami players grabbed the mics and started a profanity-laced rap song, just not what anyone wanted to hear.

Stan Thomas and Shane Dronette approached the stage, and words were exchanged. Several of us supported our teammates, but the Miami players backed down because they were outnumbered.

Coach McWilliams made all Cotton Bowl-related activities mandatory. The Miami coaching staff didn’t. We had a full team there, and Miami has maybe 20-30. There was only a handful of Miami players on the stage, and the other Miami players were not willing to get involved.

Another memory from 1990 season: Coach McWilliams and basketball coach Tom Penders got along great. McWilliams invited Penders to be on the sideline vs Miami at the Cotton Bowl. Around midway through the 2nd quarter, Penders had already engaged in trash talk with several Miami players. As we went into the locker room at halftime, one of the Miami players grabbed his crotch in the direction of Penders. Coach Penders yells at him “I bet your daddy is …… proud of you…too bad you never met him…… ”.

/01/2023- Mike Cave about Tommy Nobis

Billy,

I recall meeting Jay when a friend of mine & I were on the sidelines for the Texas-Rice game in '63. Roy Jones was the senior manager at the time, & got us to the sideline in the 1963 Texas-Rice game. Roy was a member of our church. I met Tommy Nobis & got him to sign a program. I remember being awestruck at his 19 1/2" neck. Nice guy. Later talked with him a couple of times when I worked for Coca-Cola Bottling in San Antonio & he was with the Falcons. That was following his playing days. Still hard to believe he's not enshrined in the Pro Football HOF in Canton.

Blessings,

Mike Cave

July 4th , 2023 From Trey Armstrong

Just wanted to thank you for your time back around 1969 or 1970 when you, Cotton Speyer, Bill Atessis, and Steve Worster opened your hearts and apartment doors to a few neighborhood kids when y'all lived in North Austin at the corner of Kromer Street and Fairfield Drive. All of you unselfishly passed the football with us and fielded so many fan questions. I ran across your Facebook page as a couple of my friends are also your friends. I just wanted for you to know that was a special time for me and my childhood friends, and you and your teammates were a big part of our childhood!

Seva Trakhtman June 12, 2023

I'm so looking forward to football season. I wait impatiently before every season, but somehow I'm looking forward to this upcoming season more than any others I can remember. And then SEC-bound next year. So exciting! Even though I started to follow Texas in the 80s, I really enjoy all the history of the team, even before the Royal years. BTW besides being a huge fan, I'm also a collector of Texas football memorabilia. I started a group on Facebook that I sent you an invite to related to UT memorabilia. So far, it's a very small group, and I'm doing most of the posting. And here is a pic of my unfinished memorabilia room with my helmets and jerseys. Again, a pleasure to make your acquaintance.

Gary Holer May 10, 2023

T-RING REFLECTION - THE ARTICLE (squarespace.com)

I have immense respect for you and I appreciate you keeping us later Alumni involved in what it was like to play for the most successful Coach in The University of Texas history. Hearing it from you and seeing it those your lenses is a true testament to your love, dedication, and admiration for our great University. Billy, I was 8 yrs of age when Texas won its first National Championship in 1963. I have been a devoted fan, thick or thin, for 60 years. I was raised as a young boy during the Career Royal was our Coach. I want you to know, Billy, how much I appreciate your updates during your playing days and Career at The University of Texas. Many Thanks for you sharing how it really was playing for the GOAT Coach For The University of Texas. Stay Blessed, Sir, and Hook Em Horns.

Richard Kelly - 2/18/2023

2/18/2023- Our son was born in 1963 during my UT student days. I teased my lovely wife that I couldn't decide what I was more excited about, the birth of our son or the UT football season. I remember seeing that tower every day. Terrific memories. Richard Kelly

Bobby Bruce- Remembers the 1983 Georgia game.

Great player and a great man.

After the Texas-Georgia Cotton Bowl game, l was at Reunion Hotel where the Horns were staying Coach Royal, and Earl Campbell was standing there, and Mr. Millard had a guy by his neck bringing him down the escalator, and both of the guy’s coat sleeves were wet to his shoulders.

Mr. Millard eased him into the wall (Coach Royal had to move), and coins went everywhere. Two police officers were there, and Mr. Millard said to them, “there he is, do your job.

The guy had gotten the money out if the fountain with hundreds of people around.

He kept saying, “l thought the money was free”!

Not a football story, but one l will never forget.

9/29/2022 - Ronnie Mendez

My name is Ronnie Mendez I’m from San Marcos. I played against Steve in the semi-finals back in 65 and 66. What a tailback in high school he was, awesome needless to say. Even after high school, I would follow the Longhorns and especially the Great Steve Worster. I was sorry to hear of his passing, and I did send my condolences to Erin Worster. When I heard of Steve’s passing, it really touched me however I do pray for the repose of his soul.

8/15/2022 - A fan shares his memories of Steve Worster.

That is sad. I was on the second floor for 2 1/2 years at Moore- Hill Dormitory. I used to see him walking up and down the halls on some days with other football players on the team. Sometimes I’d say “Go Horns Go! to Worster and Halsell, Street, Bertelsen, Billy Dale, Scott Henderson, Cotton Speyrer(whose helmet that he wore in 1968,69,&70 ), to name a few) and they would usually give me the Hook em Horns or just say hi! Darrell Royal would do the same if he was not busy or had a lot of things on his mind preparing for the next football game. Worster was from Bridge City, Texas, and he was named the “battering ram” from Bridge City. I wouldn’t want to tackle him by myself either, even if I had three, four, or five of my own guys trying to horse collar him. Worster was a load, to say the least. Worster was a freight train with 50 loaded cars, ready and anxious to run over anything that got in his way. Imagine the guys who thought they would just gang tackle him, and he go down. Royal was wise to that move. Street would fake it to Worster and just turn around and fake the few tacklers left who were focused on Worster and head upfield. Royal would, on the next play or two, fake it to Worster again and then give it to Jim Bertelsen, who had the blazing speed for a full-size tall halfback in the Wishbone T.

Woo- Woo- Worster
You are the best I ever had the privilege to see in person and on the football field for 4 years with those Longhorns on your white helmet
And that big #And 30 on the back of your helmet.

One of my best memories was the Texas-Arkansas game in Fayetteville in 1969. It was a bitterly cold, muddy, rainy field that day, but Worster and his Texas teammates won the biggest game of that year, 1969, and then Texas with Worster beat Notre Dame in the 1970 Cotton Bowl. 21-17. I went to that one too. Steve Worster was a real man when he wasn’t playing on the field. He was nice to me when I saw him, and that’s all I need to know about him. He was not a bragger, to say the least. He just played the game with the best he could bring that day. And to my knowledge, that was every day he suited up for football or put everyday clothes on to enjoy that day. I’ll miss Steve Worster you bet.

August 2, 2022 Mark McDonald

While researching my "Beyond the Big Shootout -- 50 Years of Football's Life Lessons," I happened on a Mickey Mantle story. The Mick shows up at a dinner party where legendary football coach Darrell Royal was holding court. "Coach, why didn't you recruit me to play for you?" Mantle asked. DKR paused then said, " Because that was before you were Mickey Mantle." The old Yankees star tilted his head and replied, "Yeah, but that was before you were Darrell Royal."

May 31, 2022, John Pharr

My father officiated football in Central Texas for many years. He would often receive a sideline pass for Baylor games since we lived in Waco

In 1964, at Baylor stadium in a game against Texas, my Dad gave me his sideline pass for the game. I roamed the sideline behind the Texas bench.

During the game, Nobis intercepted a pass and ran out of bounds right where I was standing. He literally stood right beside me as a fight broke out all around us. The thing I noticed was as mad as everybody on both teams seemed to be, nobody wanted to mess with Nobis. I was clearly in the safest place I could have been for that ugly event

Terry Woods remembers Diron Talbert

Ed Gideon

I was in Austin for meetings and stayed at the Omni. This was in 2000. The team was staying at the Omni on Friday night before the game with Houston. The week before they had lost to Stanford mainly because of special teams play. I visited with Simms, Applewhite, Williams and some others and we talked about the Stanford game. They were embarrassed at their play. The next morning I was checking out and moving to another hotel. They all saw me with my load of bags and equipment and they help me to my car and loaded it all up for me and guaranteed a win. Made me proud of the team.

DON TRAVIS-about Bobby Dillon

Art Hall - about Kern Tips 03/10/2022

I can remember sitting with my dad outside in the car on a cool fall afternoon in the early ‘60s scanning the radio dial to pick up the Longhorns game..........if you were lucky, it was Kern Tips or Connie Alexander on the call.............classic what memories.....

Jerry Frey About the UCLA game 2/10/2022

One of my great memories of UT football was the 1970 game vs. UCLA. Bruin quarterback, Dennis Dummit, had a deadly arm and they dominated the 2nd half. His passing seemed unstoppable. Eddie Phillips got the ball and drove the ‘Horns down the field. He threw a dart to Cotton Speyer for a dramatic TD with 12 seconds remaining for 20 - 17 victory. I have never heard a louder crowd at Memorial Stadium. People were screaming and stomping their feet on the metal bleachers. The crowd went nuts with the final touchdown. A huge victory for Coach Royal and our boys. See link below. Good short read.

https://collegefootballcrazy.com/texas-vs-ucla-1970/

Randy Griffin About Rooster Andrews 02/28/2022

Billy Dale I grew up with Griff Roosters son. A good friend of mine. My dad came back from WW2 and played tennis for Texas. His sweet-mates were Tom Landry and Bobby Lane. My Dad ran the Paramount Theater during the late 60’s he allowed Texas football players in free with an student id. I worked the door for him and allowed many a player and their date in free including Freddy Steinmark. Also the UT Alumni associationist would hold their meetings there after a Texas football game. Usually on the Wednesday after the game. DKR would speak. If Texas beat OU which was most of the time, the UT Alumni association would give DKR a new suit. One of my most vivid memories was when I watched the 69 Arkansas game with my dad in his office at the Paramount. Subsequently, that evening around 9 PM , James Street and his girlfriend pulled up in a new corvette in the fire zone which in front of the Paramount. I happen to be the doorman that night. My dad and a few of the local businessmen gathered out front there most Saturday nights. James got out and said Hi to them and talked a bit. Great memories!

A Fan's Lament- 11/01/2021

by Larry Carlson

Experts say that horses are imprinted at a very early age, their experiences in their first days shaping their attitudes and personalities. It happens to humans, too. Sports fans in particular. We've all read about the negativity woven into the psyches of fans with franchises and schools historically used to losing. The Cubs, Jets and Knicks come to mind.. There is a cow college in my beloved state, and when I was a kid, fans there would be muttering "Wait until next year" by late September. Most of us made jokes about their plight.

But I was imprinted with -- and spoiled by -- the positive side of believing my teams would do nothing but succeed. In the first ten years of my intense fanhood (1961-1970) my team seemed to always win. They had four regular seasons with no losses. Three national championships. They would end that span with three consecutive conference championships, then tack on three more titles in a row. At roughly the same time, in the years that mattered most, my neighborhood high school's football team made it to the state semi-finals, finals or won state, six times in a thirteen-year stretch.

On the very rare occasions when one of my teams lost, I felt crushed, betrayed by life its own self. Fortunately, It didn't happen often. But that was long, long ago.

My beloved college team is again in the throes and woes of a soul-searching season. The program that won six straight conference crowns from 1968-1973 has now won six conference trophies in the last forty years. My old high school was stripped of its name, mascot and fight song by the cancel culture. Its only glory these past four decades came last spring when a state championship was captured in soccer. But I've never understood foreign sports that are somehow played without the use of hands.

I'm still not used to this losing in football. And there's been a whole lot of it the past dozen years. More than ever before. This latest defeat absorbed by my team left me dazed and confused with almost an entire Saturday afternoon left to ponder the abyss. You know your team is mired in irrelevance when it seems to be always relegated to kicking off its contests in the morning. That's not really football, is it? But it's almost a telling sign of hopelessness and helplessness, of "Let's get this burial service over quickly, at least."

I yearn for many things gone from this earth. Low gas prices. Patriotism. Being wished "Merry Christmas" by store clerks. I often tell myself that I relate strongly to Rip Van Winkle, the befuddled character created by my favorite 19th century author, Washington Irving. But while ol' Rip awakened fo find an unrecognizable world after twenty years, I seem to have re-entered a strange, re-imagined new planet after a slumber of four decades that passed in the wink of an eye.

It's quite a challenge for a guy who was never good at change. And now this. Ten beatdowns from our arch-rival, in thirteen meetings over a dozen years. Six whippings in that span from a quaint school that used to produce more pastors than pro football players. It is dizzying and dismaying.

My team beat that church school the first thirteen times I watched, as I was imprinted with winning. This latest trend is one I cannot seem to "process," as today's newfangled terminology puts it. Last Saturday, shell-shocked by scoreboard results again by early afternoon, I found myself wanting to drive to Port Aransas to be by myself and stare at the lonely sea, to ponder its unfathomable depths and creatures, the way a hollow-eyed Sheriff Martin Brody stared at the briny deep after another stunning loss in "Jaws."

But I quickly remembered that Port Aransas, too, has changed greatly. There would be no solace on a beach as crowded as the New Jersey Shore on the Fourth of July.

Late that evening, after my wife had fallen asleep, I decided to check the TV for late night college ball, a rare treat in this brave new world that I, as ol' Rip, encounter now. As I tuned in, the score caught my eye. Virginia had just gone ahead of BYU, 42-38. I winced. Another game totally devoid of the art of defense, yet another long-time standby that I fondly recall from the olden days.

Wait. Players began to trot to the locker rooms. It was only halftime! Eighty points and more than 800 yards of offense. On most Saturdays, I would have rejoiced to find another thirty minutes of football still to be consumed, along with a nightcap and some cashews. But not this night.

So as I tried to forget about ugly football and fall asleep, I strangely was reminded of a mysterious, even haunting, old Peggy Lee song that somehow made its way to the Top 40 music charts way back in 1969. Back when my college team was winning its second of three national championships in just eight years. And when my high school's team was playing in the state championship game.

Miss Lee's peculiar song, replete with weird oom-pah music and melancholy chords, had her narrating a life filled with hype that only resulted in disappointment and resignation. Or was it a stoic's response to losses that could never dent a strong will. "Is that all there is?" the song asks.

The singer has an extreme case of either fatalism or optimism, depending upon the angle at which her enigmatic life's story is viewed. Listen to it a few times and you'll want to have a deep discussion with your old high school English class.

"Is that all there is? Is that all there is? If that's all there is (to losing), my friends," Miss Peggy then seems to half-laugh...."then let's keep dancing, let's break out the booze and have a ball....if that's all...there is."

TLSN TLSN TLSN TLSN TLSN

Gerald Baum a consummate Longhorn fan.

Gerald Horace Baum, age 89, of Austin, Texas passed away on Friday, September 17, 2021. Gerald was born April 5, 1932.

1961 Texas-TCU game

I heard that story from my father as I was born the next year in 62… He also never got over it… Fast forward to 1992 at Amon Carter I witnessed Tcu stun Texas again all though the stakes were not as high … It was the first time I had seen Texas lose to TCU in person having seen every game in ft worth from 1968 thru 1992.. Also a few in Austin in 82 and 88.. I was in shock leaving the stadium and as my father and I made the long walk to the car we spoke not a word. TCU people were overjoyed as we walked by them as if they had won a championship. The next week in interviews on tv Pat Sullivan the TCU coach and former Auburn Heisman QB couldn’t stop smiling. It was one of the few bright spots he had coaching TCU. Signed U.T. Forever.

Ed Florey tells the story of the Wolfe brothers.

Hugh was Danny’s older brother. The Stephenville Wolfe family owned the Wolfe Nursery stores all over Texas and beyond. I met him there. Later I learned that he lettered in 1947-49. A guard blocking for Tom Landry and Paul Campbell. He was a character. Ed Flory

Jay Brim

Head Cheerleader, 1965-66

Jay Brim <jay@teacher.legal>

Fri 4/30/2021 3:19 PM

1969 - Deryl Comer’s interviews Is Hilarious. Click on link

http://www.texasarchive.org/library/index.php?title=Interviews_With_1969_Longhorn_Players_And_Coaches

JIM DEITRICK 01/09/2021

I believe that the big money boosters haven’t yet figured out that the University is becoming more like Berkeley. Keep in mind that 90% of each freshman class must be residents of Texas. And the legislature requires that anyone finishing in the top single-digit percentage ( it seems to change ) must be admitted. Since UT has virtually no physical space for growth, an entire freshman class can be filled just with those top students. I wonder how many of our student-athletes academically qualify for admission according to those standards. Yet, they have to compete for grades just like the scholars do. Academically, UT is a top-notch university of which we all should be thankful and proud ...and it keeps getting better...but much different than it was 40 years ago. Student demographics and culture have changed. Changing coaches might produce more wins. But it’s a big MIGHT. Recruiting and retaining top scholar-athletes is probably more difficult than ever for the revenue sports at UT. The competition is fierce, legislative mandates make it even tougher and we have no room to grow on campus. A&M, for example, has the space to grow and is growing ( enrollment now about 65,000). With that growth, they can and do admit all top Texas high school graduates as defined by the legislature who wish to study at A&M plus many more. “ The many more” can make a big difference in preserving culture. The things I offer here are to think about.... it’s tough out there!

GOOD MORNING BILLY 11/06/2020 - FROM TERRY WOODS - REMEMBERING PEPPY BLOUNT.

I had the pleasure of  officing just down the hall from Peppy in the late 70s and developed a great friendship with him. An even more interesting read for me is his book about his war experiences flying B-26s in the Pacific. Book is We Band of Brothers.

He lived on some acreage adjoining the 9th fairway at Pinecrest Country Club in Longview. More than a few times we had to herd some of his cows back to his place using golf carts.

In about 1980 there was an air show in Longview. Mike Clark, former Cowboy kicker, owned a B-26 and took Peppy up. Clark let him have the left seat. We were in the middle of the annual club golf tournament when Peppy flew that thing right down the 9th fairway at about 500 ft. He was waving at us out the window. In the book he talked about coming back on flights with a limb or two from that days attack on sites in the Philippines.

Never a greater more generous man and never a more over the top character. For years he hosted the Labor Day Telethon in East Texas for the Jerry Lewis program.

Miss him greatly

FYI… there’s a few stories in his book you referenced that would have us on probation these days  😊

Amy Goodwin talks about Ernie Koy Senior

I want to take this chance to remember my good friend, Big Ernie Koy (UT 1930-1933). I grew up two houses down from him. I loved looking at his scrapbooks, hearing his stories about playing football and baseball for UT, and playing baseball for the New York Yankees and the Brooklyn Dodgers. He received daily autograph requests well into his 90’s. UT has had some great players. Big Ernie was one of the best!!!

1967 manager Terry Woods great punt

Four of us were playing the punting game before practice that spring. I got off the punt of a lifetime. Tight spiral and really good distance. I turned around and there stood Coach Royal..... watching. I caught the return punt and as I got ready to punt again he's still watching. I thought "Well, coach wait until you see this one!". I kicked another 40 yd punt.... 20 straight up and 20 straight down... net 5 yds maybe. He just walked off.... probably laughing inside.

Terry Woods about Coach Emory Bellard

For two weeks in 1967, I attempted to be a manager. Grades were taking a huge hit. Before the main practice started Coach Bellard would work with the punters. One day there was no center in sight to do the snapping. I had done some deep snaps in high school and volunteered. What skill I had then had apparently vanished. High, low, bounced, left, right.... As everyone went to opening drills, Emory walked up and put his arm on my shoulder "I want to thank you for that. I have no doubt now my punter will be able to handle any bad snap ever imaginable"

 Recently the 1969 Longhorn football team celebrated the 50th anniversary of the National Championship at the Kansas game.  While I did not attend the event, I was there in spirit with emotions reflective of a 70-year-old man trying to remain relevant in a youth-based society.     

As my 69,70 and 71-year-old teammates stepped onto the field at DKR stadium to celebrate their accomplishment, I  asked myself a theoretical question. If the same situation occurred when I was a young man in 1969, would I be impressed with the 1919 Longhorns winning a national championship 50 years ago?  I answered this theoretical question, but have chosen not to share?  

 For 30 years, I told the story of the 1969 and 1970 national championship teams to anyone who would listen.  I no longer do so.   With a sense of humor intended, in 1999, I realized for the first time that my stories were ancient history to many/most Longhorn fans.  My sports shelf life was over 🙂  Fans had moved on from being impressed with my stories to being impressed that  I am still alive and healthy.

Charlie Templeton - smiles when telling this story

I saw a video of a dinner roast of Emory Bellard shortly before his death. Spike Dykes was speaking and related that he got his first job under Coach Bellard at San Angelo Central as a JV coach. He said that one day in practice he had been giving a center too much of a difficult time. After practice that day, Coach Bellard pulled Spikes aside and said, "Coach, we do not have anyone else to play center; however we can find someone else to coach!" It brought down the house!

Jim Deitrick-shares great memories of a special part of his life

I truly admire what you are doing with the Longhorn Legacy website. It’s loaded with wonderful stories about all sports at Texas. We need this...and you made it happen. I thank you! I hope to meet you someday! I am from a small town ( less than 1,000) in the Allegheny National Forest of Pennsylvania. The school had two sports, baseball in the fall and basketball in the winter. For some reason, I loved sports....couldn’t get enough of them. On most weekends in the fall, my father and I would drive to see an HS football game in the area. I was a paperboy and got the papers at the local barbershop, which also sold magazines. There I discovered The Sporting News and Sport magazine. I clearly remember reading about Howard Hopalong Cassidy and Billy Cannon.

Then in Jr High, I was in the library and discovered a new magazine, Sports Illustrated! Yow!!! Eventually I read in SI a story about a Texas running back who chased jackrabbits. I thought to myself these boys in Texas must really be fast!!! ( I told him about this thought the first time I met a James Saxon here in Austin...he laughed...said he never caught one😂). Nevertheless, I read many, many sport articles from the Olympics, swimming ( Indiana dynasty ), football, baseball ( I wanted to play for the Pirates), football ( loved Penn State and Ohio State), basketball ( wanted to play for any college) , golf, hockey...I was a true sports nut. I listened to many baseball, basketball and college football games if I could get a strong signal.

Luckily, I was a good student and had academic scholarships. Although my heart was with the Nittany Lions, I went to a small DIII school so I could keep playing basketball and baseball. Never dreamed one day I would be on the University of a Texas faculty!!!! Or even Serve on the women’s then the men’s athletic councils. Although retired, I still chair the Women’s Hall of Honor selection committee. I have been blessed, Billy...much more than I deserve. God is amazing! And I am passionate about those things important to me..God, family, country, education, and athletics. How else could a kid from the sticks of Pennsylvania get the chance to work at a world class university, get to meet incredible scholars and athletes and be asked by the university president to work with one of his assistants to start an on-campus childcare facility, especially since I don’t have kids. I pointed this out to him and his reply was something like it’s my job to set the budget, stay within the budget and get it done right. I guess my doctorate in accounting came in handy😂.

Tom Prikryl - 8/27/2019

 On the Saturday that you guys beat Arkansas in Fayetteville, I had to take my SAT test, and then played a Class AAAA Semifinal Game against Robert E. Lee of San Antonio (I played for the Seguin Matadors ​

 Funny story…all my life all I wanted to do was to play football at UT.  However, after that ‘69 season, Coach Royal was getting the pick of the litter in terms of recruits.  I had scholarship offers from all of the other SWC schools, but not one from UT.  I eventually went to the Coast Guard Academy and had a fun career playing there (until I tore two knee ligaments and a patella tendon).  Later, I worked on Coach Royal’s show at Channel 7 in Austin​ One day I was giving him a hard time about not offering me a scholarship.  And in typical Coach Royal fashion, he said, “Well Tom, we just weren’t recruiting any short, fat guards that year.”  From someone else, that might have been a real derogatory comment.  From Coach Royal, who said it with a twinkle in his eyes, it was just funny.

 At age 67 (almost 68) I’m still working, and getting older doesn’t seem to bother me too much.  However, what does bother me is the passing of people that I hero-worshipped when  I was growing up – Tommy Nobis, Greg Ploetz, Scott Appleton, Jim Achilles, etc.  (I remember when Greg Ploetz was moved from a linebacker spot to a defensive tackle…and played well even though he might have been outweighed by 30+ pound by every opponent.) 

 It’s probably time for me to move on from memory lane, and get back to work.  I will just close by saying that I really appreciate what you are doing. ​Thanks for remembering and sharing your special stories.