12-12-2024 TLSN Newsletter #27 Volume VIII

TLSN builds bridges to the past to remind all Longhorns that heritage shapes the present and inspires the future. There is no better vista for storytelling than through the eyes of those who are part of Longhorn sports history.

The termination of walk-on roles in college sports is probable , though it has not been finalized.

Next week, TLSN will release a detailed special edition featuring the stories of over 30 Longhorns who have walked on. Like life itself, their journeys have been marked by failures, successes, and for some, the ultimate highest honor of recognition for their athletic specialty.

“You can’t put a stopwatch on heart or determination,” Tim Lavin.

Michael Taaffe

Many may not realize that college football decision-makers are considering eliminating walk-on players, and that would be a terrible decision. Recruiting is not an exact science; it's an educated guessing game at best. Great athletes often slip through the cracks and don't receive a scholarship. Currently, the 2024 Longhorn walk-on Michael Taaffe (on the left) is a perfect example of a talented player who went unrecognized during the recruiting process.

What genuinely inspired me as a former Longhorns player is the remarkable spirit of walk-on athletes. Notable figures like Stan Mauldin, our courageous captain in 1971, and Tom Campbell, a distinguished member of the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame, represent the essence of perseverance and belief in oneself as walk-ons. Their journeys are not just personal victories; they embody the values of hard work and resilience that resonate deeply within the framework of American society that nurtures those who dare to dream big.

NIL may lead to the demise of a long tradition of walk-ons adding value to teams. The recent changes in NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) rules have had unintended negative consequences for walk-on dreamers. Today, financial considerations, rather than spirit, dictate team composition, dampening the dreams of walk-ons striving for excellence. College athletics should support, not suffocate, the walk-on dreamers among us.

Even if many walk-ons don't possess five-star talent, their five-star spirit deserves acknowledgment on any team. Those who embrace the challenges and benefits of walking on ought to be celebrated rather than overlooked.

Denying any person the opportunity to challenge legitimate systems is wrong. Walk-ons prove that the recruiting system is wrong 7% of the time and when these system breakers earn a scholarship it is a worthy, joyful, and tearful moment that enhances team bonding as witnessed in the video below.

Here is a link to the importance of walk-ons to the spirit of a team.

https://lnkd.in/gmRQrPVg

If that doesn't stir your emotions, consider walk-on Garrett Graf's song, a collaboration with other young walk-ons. The song expresses their pride in the bonds they've formed and the respect they've earned from their teammates. It stands as a testament to the fulfillment of their dreams to make the team. The joy conveyed in the song highlights the value of determination and strong character in building self-esteem. This is a life lesson that many may miss if they don’t have the opportunity to walk on at any college or university and try-out for the team.

https://lnkd.in/eSsnJGk

As a scholarship Longhorn athlete, I learned some valuable lessons from football walk-ons during my years at Texas that have helped me overcome obstacles as a walk-on in the business world after graduation. In my view, the essence of the American Dream is best captured by the deep-seated ambitions and aspirations of walk-ons, the underdogs who prove the recruiting system makes mistakes.

Setting a date to honor, remember, and celebrate the life of Eddie Canada.

If you would like to send a card, to Donna Canada her address is 9500 Alice Mae La apt 230, Austin, TX 78748.

Donna is organizing a life celebration for sometime in January. She says that Eddie strongly wished for everyone to toast with a beer in his honor. That's just like Eddie, always wanting people to enjoy a beer and celebrate happily in his remembrance. Donna indicated that the event might take place at the "Broken Spoke," where she and Eddie had their first date, or possibly at "Antone's." The Link to Eddie's TLSN celebration of life is at:

https://texaslsn.org/track-stare-ed-canada-has-passed-away/

Eddie Canada was a standout track and field athlete for the Texas Longhorns in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He was known for his exceptional speed and contributed significantly to the team's success during his years at Texas

Photo:

1969 David Matina, Eddie Canada, Bill Elliott

1969-mile relay record holder Dave Morton, Stan McDaniel, David Matina, Eddie Canada

1969 track, Astrodome world indoor record - photo is Eddie Canada

Big Hon (Eddie Canada)( was one of a kind. I'm sorry I left before I got to run with him.
Please make sure to let me know when we lose other teammates. Sad as I’m still over here in Jacksonville and out of the main info. BH was never that big when I last saw him in Dallas, but he was headed in that direction. Like me, BH kept coming back and finally got to compete and complete his varsity career. Best Regards,
Stephen E Langham

Baseball uniform budgets must have been tight in 1936

2012-David Ash Is the Fastest Longhorn to Reach 1,000 Yards In Passing (4 Games). (Surpassing Major Applewhites record)+.

With Ash emerging as the starter, Case McCoy started only one game all season, a losing effort against Kansas State. But earlier in the year, he came in during the 4th quarter of the Kansas game to replace an ineffective Ash and led a game-winning 68-yard drive, capped by a 1-yard touchdown pass to D.J. Grant with 12 seconds left. He also came off the bench against TCU.

Fozzy Whitaker is injured in the Missouri game. Fozzy was the team leader with 2–100 yard kick-off returns. The Wild Fozz formation was a snap directly to Fozz instead of the quarterback.

TLSN is a compassionate and educational ethos-driven support system that shares Longhorn Sports’ history and helps those who qualify for financial assistance.

Please send donations to:

Donations - Building The Brand

Rushing the kicker is a dangerous position

1910 Track Championship trophy

link to cross country and track is at https://texaslsn.org/cross-country-men-and-womens-1900-1983/

Track, Field, and Cross Country are not complicated sports. These athletes don't need to learn complicated plays, study films to determine team tendencies or change offensive and defensive techniques every week to exploit the weakness of their next competitor. Track participant’s main goal is to convert innate talents, strong discipline, and hard work into maximum performance. Track forces participants to confront personal character flaws, demons, personal weaknesses, and insecurities. Jesse Owens says about mental toughness "The Battles That Count Aren't the Ones For Gold Medals. The struggles within yourself - Photo Jackson holding his side.

The Invisible, Inevitable battles Inside all of Us - That's Where It Is At." Patti Sue Plumer agrees, saying, "Racing teaches us to challenge ourselves. It teaches us to push beyond where we thought we could go. It helps us to find out what we are made of. This is what we do. This is what it's all about." "Your body will argue that there is no justifiable reason to continue. Your only recourse is to call on your spirit, which fortunately functions independently of logic." Tim Noakes Photo Sandy Blakslee

Augie Garrido, the Longhorn head baseball coach until 2016, says winning should never determine your self-worth. Coach Weis, the Longhorn women's Golf coach from 1969-1993, agrees. She says, "As long as you feel you've given your best, that you've given 100 percent effort on every shot, no one can complain. There can only be one winner. Photo Cindy Tolle

There will always be someone better, but that doesn't make you a failure. Track teaches us that achieving a personal best is a celebratory life event, even if it means finishing last.

Meb Keflezighi said it best. “I also realize that winning doesn’t always mean getting first place; it means getting the best out of yourself.”

TLSN is a reflection point visiting Longhorn sports history. The website captures powerful and insightful Longhorn comments from the minds of great authors, visuals from videos, professional media brochures, research facilities, websites, newspaper articles, shelter magazines, and, most importantly, from former Longhorn student-athletes who created the history of Longhorn sports.

12-12-2024 TLSN Newsletter #27 Volume VIIITLSN builds bridges to the past to remind all Longhorns that heritage shapes the present and inspires the future. There is no better vista for storytelling than through the eyes of those who are part of Longhorn sports history.

“You can’t put a stopwatch on heart or determination,” Tim Lavin.

Baseball uniform budgets must have been tight in 1936

1910 Track Championship trophy

12-12-2024 TLSN Newsletter #27 Volume VIII

TLSN builds bridges to the past to remind all Longhorns that heritage shapes the present and inspires the future. There is no better vista for storytelling than through the eyes of those who are part of Longhorn sports history.