The Koy’s
Ernie Koy Senior
While at UT, he was a fullback on the football team from 1930 to 1932. He played as an outfielder on the baseball team from 1931 to 1933 and served as a captain in 1933. He was a three-time all SWC player.
Dana Bible said Ernie Koy was the greatest fullback ever seen in action. In 1933 Ernie served as an assistant football coach for Texas before being signed by the New York Yankees.
Koy and Stafford were a powerful one-two punch for the Longhorns.
In the professional leagues, Ernie’s nickname was “Chief.” Ernie hit a home run in his first at-bat with the Dodgers. He finished the year ranking second in the NL with 15 stolen bases and ninth with a .468 slugging average. In 1940 he batted .301 for the Dodgers but was traded from the Cardinals to the Cincinnati Reds on May 14, 1941. The Reds sold him to the Philadelphia Phillies on May 2, 1942. During World War II, he served in the Navy and ended his career with a .279 batting average, 36 home runs, 260 runs batted in, 238 runs, 515 hits, and 40 stolen bases in 558 games.
In 1960, he was inducted into the University of Texas Longhorn Hall of Honor.
From Amy Goodwin:
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!!
Ernie Koy Junior
Ernie Koy Jr. was a high school all-American and all-Southern halfback, punter, and linebacker at Bellville. In 1960, he was selected team captain and “Most Valuable Texas High School Player,” which led him to play in the THS All-Star Game in 1961.
In the early ’60s, Ernie Koy was heavily recruited by universities nationwide. One recruiter came to his house and volunteered to help him slop the hogs at sundown on his father’s place, hoping that this work would convince Ernie of their sincerity to “help” him. Ernie says, “I never met a nicer bunch of gentlemen.”
Ernie signed his letter of intent with Texas and quickly learned that the honeymoon was over. The recruiter who wanted to tuck him in at night and loved his parents changed dramatically. Ernie got no more sweet talk from the coaches. It was time to learn and earn.
He played college football at the University of Texas from 1962 to 1964 and was drafted by the Giants in the 11th round of the 1965 NFL Draft. Although he missed most of the season due to injury and illness, he was a member of the 1963 Texas Longhorns national football champion team.
In 1961 JErnie Koy Joined The Track Team After Spring Football Training. Ernie Koy Had One 2nd Place Finish In The Shot Put.
His outstanding feats at Texas gained him deserved honors, including All-SWC Freshman Back, SWC Outstanding Back, All-SWC Second Team, All-American Honorable Mention, and the UT Longhorn Sportsmanship Award in 1964. In addition, Koy played in the Cotton, Orange and Hula Bowls and was named All-Pro and All-Eastern Conference while playing for the New York Giants.
During his six years in the NFL, Koy played in 79 games, carried 414 times, and gained 1,723 yards. He also has 498 receiving yards with 76 receptions, many from quarterback Fran Tarkenton. In addition, he completed six passes in 12 attempts, with one touchdown and one interception.
Koy was also the Giants’ punter with a 38.5-yard average and returned 30 kicks during his career.
Ted Koy
He was a part of the Longhorns’ 1969 National Championship team, playing in the offensive backfield as a wishbone halfback.
Sport: Football (1967-69)
Position: Back
Hall of Honor inductee
Hometown: Bellville, Texas •
• Co-captain of 1969 undefeated (11-0) national championship team
• Number two draft pick of Oakland Raiders in 1970
• Played five NFL seasons with Oakland and Buffalo as a tight end.
Robert Koy
