HISTORY OF TEXAS TRAINERS AND MANAGERS 2014- 1960

Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP)

2014- Tina Bonci Excellence In Athletic Training Scholarship 

Tina Bonci was instrumental in maintaining and promoting the health of female student athletes. She entered the HOH in 2013; she is an inductee in the Southwest Athletic Trainers' Association Hall of Fame; and in 2009 she is recognized  as the Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer. 

2015

Heidi is an associate Athletic Trainer and works with the women's basketball team

Basketball Managers

2014 Pending

2013 Pending

2012 Pending

2011 Pending

2010

2009

June 18, 2009  The Littlest Longhorn-jessica yanta no photo

Bill Little, Texas Media Relations

OMAHA, Neb. -- She's been mistaken for one of the player's little sisters, or one of the coaches' kids. She weighs something less than 100 pounds, can stretch to 5-feet-2, and she does have eyes of gun-metal blue.

But those who know the recently graduated Longhorn student Baseball trainer will give you one piece of advice: Don't mess with Jessica Yanta.

As the Longhorns practiced on their second off-day, waiting for Friday night's bracket championship game, Jessica and three student managers -- the unsung heroes of any team -- put in another day's work as well. Jessica, along with brothers Travis and Tyler Wright and John Mardirosian, are part of a small army of support staff students who spend a lot of time and effort working with every sport at Texas, earning degrees and going out to make a difference in the world, just as they have for the coaches and athletes whom they have served.

Jessica has won the "Pride" award for the best GPA in the program for three straight years, during which time she has served as a student trainer for Volleyball, Men's Tennis, Women's Track and Field, club soccer, Spring Football and, finally this spring, Baseball.

Conquering an image is not always easy, so Jessica just used her competitiveness to overcome a self-admitted serious case of shyness when she first got into the program. It was one of those deals where the goal was worth the price of overcoming the fear, which, ironically, is something that Augie Garrido stresses to his team.

"At first I had to act confident, even if I wasn't," Jessica says. "Fake it `til you make it. But it got better and better when the athletes began to understand that I knew what I was doing, and they began to listen to me."

That was a skill learned early, because life as a triplet proved both interesting and challenging for the three little girls whose parents were both teachers.

"I just enjoy working with the combination of athletics and competition, where people are motivated to get better," she says.

Inspiration is a word that seems to come to mind when you consider Jessica, and all of those students who have worked as trainers and managers with Longhorn athletics for many, many years. Among their number are doctors, corporate executives, lawyers, Marine officers, and many of those who chose to work as trainers continue to do just that in professional sports, high school sports and colleges.

Jessica, a female trainer working with men's sports, is part of a growing number of women in the profession. And for the old timers at Texas, there is also a particular irony in the power of somebody her size. One of the pioneers of athletics training, a man who worked with Olympic teams and became a legend at The University of Texas, was a Cherokee Indian named Frank Medina.

Like Jessica, he bravely came into a field where the athletes with whom he worked were a lot bigger than he was. But with his mind and his wisdom, he won their confidence.

And by the way, he was five feet tall, two inches shorter than Jessica.

2008

Inducted into the HOH in 2008 

Becky  Bludau Marshall graduated from UT in 1973 and was hired as Southwest Texas State athletic trainer. She is the first full-time trainer for UT women's athletics, served on the U.S. National Women's basketball team, and was a college basketball official.  

Names will be added as I find them

Team Managers
Mitch Adams, Kathleen Baker, Andres Campos-Delgado, Jake Frederick, Anthony Gigli, Colter Harless, Jamie Jackson, Robert Lawrence, John Mardirosian, Chris Mudge, Daniel Pittsford, Chris Quinn, Tres Segler, Zachary Struck, Scott Weatherford, Will Weaver, Travis Wright, Coleman Yates

Athletic Trainers
Whitney Anders, Lizzie Baker, Teryl Boland, Jillian Brigle, Mary Buckner, Adriana Cantu, Rachel Craddock, Kristina Creinin, Kassi Johnson, Brody Lawhon, Kara Miller, Derica Nealy, Danny Oh, Sarah Petry, Taryn Price, Diana Ramirez, Mallory Sitzman, Jessica Yanta*

2007 pending 

2006 pending

2005

2005 Big 12 Championship sideline: Darren Damewood was one the first managers to hold cards for players on the field… Darren's responsibility was offense personnel # for the Texas defense.  

Mark Walters is a former strength and conditioning coach who was blessed to have worked for 3 years under Augie Garrido, and on the staff that won the 2005 College World Series. Mark, as member of the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Strength and Conditioning Association, contributed to the innovative team of coaches that led to the success that Longhorn student athletes had both on and off of the field

All years with no content are pending information

2004

2003

2002

2002 volleyball Elizabeth Quiniam manager

2001

2000

1999

1998

1997

Keith Stephenson 1996-98, student trainer

1996

1995

1994

1993

1992

1990-1991

Trainers are the backbone of UT sports programs providing help and encouragement to players. Student trainers work 40 hours weekly, are CPR certified, and attend all practices. Athletes respect the trainer’s skills and sometimes lean on the trainer for support prior to a game. Jim Glean a physical education senior says, “They really make you feel like you’re part of the team. And whenever they win, they make us feel like we were a part of the win.”

Before the first workout, the Student trainers learn first aid, handling stretchers, and how to treat spinal injuries on the field. Preparation for practice and games takes at least 6 hours a day. After practice, the trainers start the rehabilitation treatments such as deep massage, ultrasound, ice, and whirlpool treatment, and clean up the minor injuries incurred on the field. Slideshow below :

Tec Gray is the equipment manager (no photos)

1990- Spanky Stephens

Chris Samuels says of Spanky and the year of WIT (Whatever it takes) to reverse the decline of Texas football in 1988 and 1989. “Spanky never babied us when we were injured, and he worked hard to get us back on the field, but we didn’t know he was such a tough coach.” In 1990 was not only the trainer but he did his share of motivating the players in the areas of strength and conditioning. “Spanky , take it easy, can we rest this set?” “There was no break. Spanky was a “Jekyll and Hyde”.

1989

TOP SONG

1988- The silent partners

An integral part of Texas’ success is student managers and trainers. Working behind the scenes, both groups keep the teams organized and the athletes healthy. All are respected members of the team with a job to complete taking care of logistics and care for the athletes.

1987

1986

1985

1984

1983

Mike Korth ( pending photo)

Bill Little commentary: A tree is gone

Aug. 15, 2012

Bill Little,Texas Media Relations

The news, for many, wouldn't matter. But for those to whom it mattered, it will matter a lot.

Mike Korth died Wednesday morning. He wasn't a legendary athlete, or a coach whose teams won a bunch of games. He never made a lot of money, and for almost a third of his life of 49 years he bravely battled a disease that would kill him.

The reason Mike Korth is important is that he represents dozens of employees in Texas athletics who go about their business every day, toiling - not for the fame or the glory or the money - but because of a commitment to excellence and a loyalty that transcends most other things.

Mike Korth was special because he drew his energy from the people. He loved being Mike Korth. From the athletes to the staff to the cheerleaders to anyone who came his way, he worked - not for The University - but for human kind.

A native of Rockdale, Mike came to The University from Blinn Junior College in the early 1980s. He earned a letter as a track manager and began working part-time for the athletics department. That was 29 years ago. For the next 15 years, every time anybody needed anything done around the athletics department, the simple answer was "call Korth." Need something assembled (instructions not included)? Call Korth. Need somebody to stay late to turn on the stadium lights for a TV shoot? Call Korth. Errands, work detail, organization? Call Korth.

As his indomitable spirit passes to another dimension, you have to figure God needed somebody to take charge of miracles. That is how we saw him. You ask, and you knew it would be done.

It was soon after Mack Brown became the Texas head football coach in the spring of 1998 that Mike was diagnosed with a brain tumor. They told him he had six months to live. That was 14 years ago. It is safe to say that no one ever fought harder to live than Mike Korth. Every so often, there would be another setback, and yet, there he would be, perhaps walking more slowly, but always on the job.

When the cancer took much of his eyesight and made it unsafe to drive, Mike rode the bus to St. David's Rehabilitation Hospital to see his friend and my son David Little as David fought through the effects of a stroke four years ago.

And still there was always the greeting:

"How ya doin' Mike?"

"Just fine, sir."

By the end, he needed a cane and his brisk walk had become a shuffle. His once-athletic frame was showing the effects of long years of serious medication.

In 2009, Mike was recognized as the honorary referee at the Texas Relays. Last fall, he was inducted into the Rockdale Sports Hall of Honor in his home town. Those were nice, but Mike Korth's reward was more likely seeing young people happy. To that, he would flash an impish smile and politely move on to the next challenge.

As I said at the beginning of this, the reason Mike is significant is that he is a reflection of so many, many people who serve in the same way every single day. Our late, great friend Dick Dozier, who with his wife Marian owned every Taco Bell as far as the eye could see from Austin, always lived by a motto of "Here to Serve."

Those who worked with Mike and those who knew him understand that. He was part of an era here in the athletics department that included so many young people who came here as a way station on life's journey and stayed and kept working because this is a hard place to say goodbye to. Following in their footsteps are dozens of young college graduates who are just starting out in this profession of college athletics, determined to keep this athletics department on the cutting edge of the future, while preserving the great tradition which is inbred within us all.

They, like Mike, do not have the high profile of some of us. But it is their energy, and their commitment, that creates what this university stands for. Universities are not made of bricks and mortar. They are made of people. There are over 12,000 staff workers at UT who are not at the level of administrators or professors, but who bust their tails every day to do their job well.

I have told this story before, but when I was a kid growing up in Winters, Texas, I had returned home from college in Austin for the summer. I went with my Dad to what I remember as being the best fishing hole in Runnels County, and as we approached the creek, you couldn't help but notice that the giant pecan tree which had shaded the bank was gone - a victim of age and a storm.

And yet as I stood there and looked at the scene from a distance, I could still see that tree, hanging like a portrait in the hallways of the mind.

So it will be with Mike Korth. In so many ways, he will always be there. On patrol, looking for the next job to do. And behind him will be all those who have followed...determined to live a life where pride is reflected in a job well done, and gratification came, not for what somebody did for you, but from what you did for others.

1982

Derrl Ohnheiser Athletic Trainer 79-82 B

1981

Jerry Gray (1981-1984) “I guess when I think of my time at The University of Texas, I look at the people who made a difference for me and have become great friends. One o them is Larry Falk, who was our equipment manager ….. Lary doesn’t get a lot of notice, but he works every day to make that place better, and he takes pride in what he does. ….the kind of guy you know you can always count on. “ Larry is top row first on the left in the second photo.

05.27.2021 | T-Association

Long-time UT Athletics staffer Larry Falk passes away

Falk served 33 years at UT and was inducted into the Texas Athletics Hall of Honor in 2013.

AUSTIN, Texas — Larry Falk, a long-time University of Texas Athletics Department staffer and Texas Athletics Hall of Honor inductee, passed away on Wednesday in Austin. Falk was 58 years old.

Falk served a total of 33 years on the Forty Acres (1981-2014). He began as a football student manager and earned "T" letters as an undergraduate in 1983 and 1984. Falk went on to work for one year as an assistant equipment manager before assuming the responsibility of equipment manager in 1986.

Falk held that position through the 1990 season before transitioning into the UT Athletics facilities department in 1991. He served as operations manager until his promotion to Assistant Athletics Director for Facilities and Operations in 2007. Falk remained in that role until retiring in 2014.

A key cog in the operations and management of two of the Longhorns traditional annual events – the Red River Showdown and Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays - Falk accompanied the Texas Football teams to 22 bowl games and was the point person on travel for the Texas Baseball team to 10 College World Series appearances. He also served as tournament director for nearly 20 NCAA Baseball regionals and super regionals in Austin and was a 20-year assistant director of the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays.

Falk, a native of Dallas, was born on October 10, 1962.

1980

Barton Couch 79-81 manager

TOP SONG 1980

1979 

1978

Rey Moreno

1977

Student Manager - Paul Parker (track

1976

1976- 

Student Manager- Terry Little (track) 

I grew up watching Coach Royal and Texas football.

Many opinions on who is the most value player on the field- Qb or running back, maybe even the middle LB.

No, mvp is the manager controlling the cable wire to Coach Royals headset. He would move in any direction and often turn in circles looking for certain players. It was a challenge in laying out just the right amount of wire. Last thing you wanted was Coach Royal on ground with his feet in the air on national tv.

Enjoy your football this weekend, but a shout out to all those working in background making everything look easy.

Rey Moreno

1975- 

Student Manager- Ray Moreno (track)

1974- 

• Allen David 1974-78

• Jay Fenly 1975-1978

• Mark Lord 76-80

• Mark Brooks Trainer 76-79. Got to work under Frank Medina and Spanky Stephens

• Bruce Dumler Athletic Trainer 76-80. Worked under Frank Medina and Spanky Stephens.

• Student Manager- David Ray (track) 

1973- 

Student Manager - David Ray (track)

1972-

Conde, Fox, Anderson, Simmons, Bob Kay, Denius, Trainers- Johnson, Wheat, Gayne, Kirschner

 Student Manager - Art Taylor (track)

1971- 

1971- Student Manager - Gordon Olhausen; Glen Sefcik

1970

1969

1969- Student Manager - John Hargis, III; Elton Archer

James Cooke , Paul Hobbs football managers

1968

Donald Frank Goldman mgr. track

Student Manager - John Hargis, III;

1967

Jeff Doenges - football manager

Student Manager - Gordon Lakey; Phil Fleckman

1966

Women intramural Managers 1966-1971

Mens- Student Manager - Gordon Lakey; Phil Fleckman

Jay Ward- football

1965-1967

 Student Manager - Gordon Lakey; Marlin Blake

 Jay Ward had the best of both worlds: he was a trainer under Frank
Medina for the 1963 (and 1964) teams, then got to be "senior manager"
under Coach Royal twice, in 1965 and 1966.

Lane Zunker was the senior football manager.

1964

Mike Gray- mgr. track

Student Manager - Gordon Lakey;

1963

Student Manager - Danny Gardner; Dan Fleckman

1962

Student Manager - Ralph Knebel;

1961

1960

 1962

Need dates on all the pictures below

 
 1960’S

Comments from Spanky Stephens about Coach Bibb Falk.

 As a student and later on when I become full time Bibb and I would sit and talk during inner squad games. Truly one of the most interesting person in my life. He worked out and steamed everyday. I got him a key to the locks so he could park under the stadium and always stopped by my office to talk on his way back to his car. When Discharge-Falk was built I was getting the training room clean for the start of the season and Bibb showed up wanting a tour. Now that story of his tour and the next day when he brought four of his buddies that watched stocks daily together with him for a tour he was given to them. Classic Bibb as he didn’t like all the new changes when I gave his tour to him but during his tour he gave he ranted and raved to them about the new locker room and coaches offices. Now Bibb was not afraid to use some non church adjectives any where. The story of those two days is still today one of my favorite to tell.