Bill Little’s Burnt Orange Spirit is remembered by many

 Billy,
Jenna and I heard that Bill Little passed tonight. Jenna’s going to send you something she wrote about Bill in 2017.

God bless Bill Little a true Legend!

Randy McEachern

Billy,

Bill passed away this evening. He and I enjoyed a 50-year friendship, and I am heartbroken.

I’ve attached a piece I wrote about Bill…please pass it on to your website supporters.

Love,
Jenna McEachern

Jenna’s oral podcast history, photos, and text are captured at : https://www.texaslsn.org/jenna-mceachern

Below is Jenna’s article about her friend for over 50 years.

Bill Little has been the face—and the voice—of Longhorn athletics for more than 50 years.  Long before sports reporting turned digital, Little, as sports editor of the Daily Texan, was hammering out copy on a manual Royal typewriter.  

After his 1964 graduation from UT, Bill spent two years writing for the Austin American-Statesman, then moved to Oklahoma City to write for The Associated Press.  After two-years with the AP, Little returned home to Austin and to The University of Texas for good.

“I saw there was this really good job in public relations at The University of Texas,” Little said. “I called Coach Royal, and I said, ‘Coach, I want to come back.’ And he said, ‘I’d like to have you back.’ And that was the extent of it. I started that spring.”

It seems incredible that Darrell Royal hired 26-year-old Little as Texas’ assistant SID based only on a two-sentence interview.  Yet Royal knew Little’s work, knew his character, knew he’d be loyal and always professional. Royal’s assessment was on the money.   

Inducted into the Longhorn Hall of Honor in 1993, Little served UT in many capacities:  as assistant SID under the legendary Jones Ramsey, as Sports Information Director, then Special Assistant to the Athletic Director, Assistant AD for External Communications, then head of communications for Mack Brown. The job titles changed, but the office address stayed the same.  

Little worked with five football coaches, five basketball coaches, and four athletic directors while at The University. Decades of Longhorn football, basketball, and baseball fans recognized that familiar voice over the public address system in stadiums and on radio broadcasts. 

Little has worked 37 bowl games, and accompanied an NCAA record 25 teams to the College World Series in Omaha, and as of 2014, he holds the record for consecutive games worked by a Division I SID: 521. The string was almost broken when, just before the 1995 Sugar Bowl, he suffered a heart attack, but the ever-professional Little convinced doctors that he’d be under more stress in the hospital than he would if he attended the game.  Streak intact. 

My recollection of Bill Little started 50 years ago this month when I was a skinny freshman tennis player from Phoenix, Arizona. I learned very quickly where I was in the pecking order of UT athletes, very low. It did not matter to Bill. He respected everybody the same and went out of his way to remember your name. Always had a smile on his face and supported the tennis team as if we were the 69 football team! The last time I talked with him for a while was when the new tennis courts were dedicated. He was there with his wife. Bill did not have to do that, but his love for the University showed through that day every time I saw him. What an absolute treasure he was to the University of Texas and anyone who he crossed paths with. God bless his family. Stewart Keller.

Stewarts shares his story on the TLSN website at https://www.texaslsn.org/stewart-kellers-longhorn-roots-start-in-1899-orns-sitennis-football-diving

Jenna continues- Little’s legacy to The University is remarkable. He served as mentor and father figure to countless student-athletes through the years. CoSIDA’s Academic All-America Committee acknowledged Little’s influence on UT’s athletes by awarding him the Lester Jordan Award, “for exemplary service…and the promotion of the ideals of being a student-athlete.” 

He’s been a good-will ambassador and host to hundreds of sportswriters and broadcasters who grew to love Austin and Tex-Mex while covering Longhorn athletic events. Young writers found encouragement, counsel, and occasionally, employment from the veteran journalist. 

Little is the authority on UT Athletics history, and his award-winning columns and commentaries have left the Longhorn Athletic Department a written history–a vast archive–of its athletics programs and those who made it great.  Little has authored or co-authored nine books on UT and college athletics. 

“I always found that, if you can write something that can make a difference to somebody, it can change a life,” Little said. “I was a bad golfer and a worse tennis player. I wasn’t big enough to play football, and I was too short to play basketball, so my only gifts were to write and talk. If I was going to do what God put me on this planet to do, then I needed to do those things.” 

Little attended his first CoSIDA workshop at the 1969 Chicago meeting, then entered the officer rotation in 1985. As president in 1989, he presided over the first 1,000-person workshop in CoSIDA history.  Named to the CoSIDA Hall of Fame in 1992, Little received the Arch Ward Award in 1998, for “inspiring excellence in and bringing dignity to our profession.”   

He is one of the most decorated writers in the profession: The FWAA honored him with their Lifetime Achievement award, and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers awarded him the Wilbur Snypp award “for outstanding contributions to college baseball.”    

Award-winning sports journalist Kirk Bohls called Little “the epitome of a knowledgeable, professional SID who had a rich background in journalism and who understood the balance of truth-telling and serving a university’s athletic program. …the personification of UT athletics, there’s not a sportswriter or sportscaster in the country who didn’t work with and appreciate the contributions of Bill Little.” 

Legendary broadcaster Verne Lundquist, an Austin native, said, “I’ve known Bill Little since the early 1960’s which, having to put up with me for more than five decades, should alone qualify him for the COSIDA [Lifetime Achievement Award]. Bill has been a consummate professional and a great friend over the years and this honor is richly deserved.  Enjoy, Bill.  Congratulations.” 

He brought great honor to The University, to the profession he loves, and to himself.  His influence is so great that the football and baseball press boxes at Texas are now named the “Bill Little Media Center,” a gift from longtime friend and UT athletics supporter Marian Dozier.

Bill’s wife, Kim Scofield, is also his advisor, editor, and travel companion and has been a true partner in his work. They have three children and ten grandchildren, all Longhorn fans.  

Upon retirement in 2014 Little said, “Texas Athletics has pretty much been my life for close to 60 years. But now, I think I’ve earned the right to set my bucket down.”  Still, Little continues as an advisor to the Athletics Department, and broadcasts Longhorn baseball games.

Little’s longtime friend Dan Jenkins has the last word: 

“If you want a guy to dive into a vat of burnt orange fluid and drown himself to achieve good print for the Longhorns, Bill Little is your man. He collected good journalism friends from all around the old Southwest Conference and now the Big 12. Why? Because he was always honest and enjoyed the success of other people and even, at times, of a Longhorn opponent. Bill comes from a long-forgotten time when a conference was like a family. Like Bill, those of us who knew such times still miss them.”

End of Jenna McEachern’s tribute to Bill Little

Loved what Jenna McEachern wrote about Bill Little. It was beautiful and so heartfelt. 

When I think of Bill Little, the word “gentleman” comes to my mind. He was polite, kind, honest and so sincere. He was always so positive and treated everyone with respect.  

He was a brilliant wordsmith and was truly the UT Historian regarding UT football . His attention to detail and memory was unrivaled. 

My husband, Bobby Mitchell, and I had the pleasure of spending time with him and his wife, Kim, during the filming of Bud Brigham’s movie, “My All American”, Mike Looney’s documentary, “The Big Shootout”,as well as  reunion football events for 1969 and 1970 National Football Championship teammates . 

Bill was always there smiling and graciously chatting with everyone. 

Following the documentary “1969” where Bill, my husband and other teammates were interviewed, he emailed Bobby after the airing telling him what a good job he did which meant the world to Bobby as I’m sure he did with the other players who were interviewed. 

For him to take the time to do this act of kindness speaks volumes about the man Bill Little was. We were fortunate to have known him. 

RIP, sweet Bill Little.

Dr Honor Franklin 

Bob Lenz – He was a genuinely good guy!???? Far left in photo.

Bert Engel– Very sad news about a legendary longhorn.  Thanks for posting, Billy. (no photo)

Larry Bob Moore Another huge loss and a painful blow (no photo)

Mike Hamer (no photo)

So saddened to hear about the passing of this Longhorn Legend and my friend Bill Little. One of the first people I met and who interviewed me in the athletic department when I came here in 1979. Terrific play by play announcer of Texas Baseball and one of the great Longhorn historians. Rest in peace Bill. A life well lived.

Terry Salazar- Truly loved his job and UT. Had the privilege meeting Bill . You will be truly missed by all your Longhorn fans. Thanks for all the memories. RIP Bill (no photo)

He brought great honor to The University, to the profession he loves, and to himself.  His influence is so great that the football and baseball press boxes at Texas are now named the “Bill Little Media Center,” a gift from longtime friend and UT athletics supporter Marian Dozier.

Such sad news with the passing of Bill Little on Friday. He was  a Longhorn Legend, the best ever in our business, and just an amazing man. It’s heartbreaking to lose him, he was a mentor, a great friend, and a huge part of me and my family’s life. He and his wife Kim were always among the first people we reached out to with great news, to seek advise during though times, or just to visit about the latest news, chatter and our kids & grandkids. He will be so missed, but I have so many memories and pearls of wisdom to lean on from our time together. We love you Bill, Rest in Peace. Sending my thoughts, prayers and love Kim, his family, friends and the many he impacted during an incredible life. His legacy will live on and he will never be forgotten???????? John Bianco

Bill was as genuine and sincere as any sports journalist  I’ve ever read.   He was a resolute and master craftsman in telling a story. His humility and memory of facts enabled him to be respected by all.  He will be missed. Jeff Zapalac (no photo)

5 years ago, TLSN wrote a Bio on Bill Little, and it is saved in the history of Longhorn sports. Here is the link :

https://www.texaslsn.org/bill-little

If you would like to write a “celebration of life” tribute, TLSN will post it. Please send it to Billydale1@gmail.com .

Here are a Few Who have shared their memories of Bill.

Two are journalists who knew Bill from the very beginning of his professional career until he passed away.

The text in blue font shares memories of Longhorn fans and football players.

Carlton Stowers shares his memories of Bill.

We were two UT students from Runnels County, him from Winters, me from Ballinger, who met and became friends as members of the Daily Texan sports staff. Even at that early age, Bill knew exactly what he wanted to do with his life  I hadn’t a clue where I was headed.

Untimately, however, we both became journalists.

Over the years, I watched his career closely and with pride in his remarkable achievements. His writing was touched by the soft wings of angels, his personality warmed one and all, and his deep and lasting love for the University of Texas was never in doubt.

Together, we attended too many Longhorn games to recall, sat side-by-side applauding country singer Tom T. Hall at the old Armadillo, shared a podium or two, and had long conversations over steaming plates of Mexican food.

With each encounter, I was enriched.

To know Bill was to love him. And I did.

— Carlton Stowers

“MUCH ABOUT LITTLE” by Roy Jones

(Roy was a journalist for over 50 Years and he shares his memories of Bill

Bill Little and I started our journalism careers on
the same day in the fall of 1960, pounding out sports stories for The
Daily Texan on manual Royal typewriters.
The brand of the now-vintage typewriters in the University of Texas
student newspaper newsroom was prophetic. Both of us would wind up
working for legendary UT football coach Darrell Royal.
Bill became sports editor and wrote circles around me about UT football
in the glory days. Because I was a student manager of the football team
I had to agree not to write anything about the team that other reporters
didn’t have access to.
Some secrets I’ve kept for 63 years.
Bill and I sat two seats apart (alphabetically) when President Johnson
spoke at our graduation in May 1964. The next week I started my 37-year
career with the Abilene Reporter-News. Meanwhile, Bill covered the
Longhorns for the Austin American-Statesman and for the Associated Press
for four years, then Coach Royal hired him to be assistant sports
information director in 1968.

Bower Yousse

What a loss. Enjoyed my time with him, which unfortunately was limited. Delightful gentleman.

George Machock

Thank you Billy. A sad loss but, he’s where the sky gets painted orange and know he’s with the Lord admiring it.

God bless

Condolences to family and friends.

Roy continued: Thus began a legendary 46-year career writing exclusively about the
Longhorns — all sports. Before he retired in 2014, he had covered 521
consecutive UT football games and provided all the statistics and
colorful quotes to award-winning sportswriters such as Dan Jenkins
(“Semi-Tough”) and our own Bill Hart.
Oh, yeah, Bill Little was also the voice of UT baseball for decades and
authored or co-authored nine books about Longhorn sports history.
Just two weeks before the 60th reunion of UT’s first national
championship football team (1963) on Sept. 2, Bill died at his Austin
home of natural causes. He was 81.
Jenna McEachern, wife of former Longhorn quarterback Randy McEachern and
an athletic department staffer for much of Bill’s tenure as SID,
ressurrrected a quote from Jenkins when she announced Bill’s death
earlier today. When Bill retired, Jenkins wrote, “If you want a guy to
dive into a vat of burnt orange fluid and drown himself to achieve good
print for the Longhorns, Bill Little is your man. He collected good
journalism friends from all around the old Southwest Conference and now
the Big 12. Why? Because he was always honest and enjoyed the success of
other people and even, at times, of a Longhorn opponent. Bill comes from
a long-forgotten time when a conference was like a family. Like Bill,
those of us who knew such times still miss them.”
Jenkins died in 2019. I bet he and Bill are swapping a lot of Longhorn
stories in heaven now.
Until Coach Royal retired in 1976 with three national titles under his
belt, I was welcome on the Longhorn sideline. At Texas Tech in 1965, my
national championship ring came off my finger when I was doing a “Hook
’em”sign after a UT touchdown. It was raining and my ring was lost in
the mud. I knew it couldn’t have gone far, so I was pawing at the turf
while trying not to get stepped on by players.
“I bet you’re looking for this,” quarterback “Super Bill” Bradley said,
handing me my muddy ring. It never looked so good!
After Coach Royal retired, all I had to do was write a color sidebar to
go with Bill Hart’s game story and Bill Little had us seats in the press
box.
It was Bill Little who got me the pass to be on the Memorial Stadium
field during the 1976 state track meet, where I was able to get photos
of future world champion Billy Olsen setting the state pole vault record
at 15-9; Abilene High winning the 4-A team title with the nation’s
fastest time in the 4×110 “sprint relay,” and Johnny “Lam” Jones winning
three gold medals and overtaking six runners in the last lap of the mile
relay to win the 2A team title for Lampasas.
Bill made it possible for me to see some of the best games in UT
history. We had nicknames for each other. He was “Little-by” because his
Daily Texan column was headlined “Little by Little” and I was “The Duke
of Paducah.” Since he was from Winters we spoke the same country boy
language.
Bill and I both came to UT with big shoes to fill. Bill’s older brother
Harvey, who went on to a distinguished career as a naval officer, had
writtten for The Daily Texan. Dr. Dewitt C. Reddick, legendary dean of
the School of Journalism (who welcomed us to UT) had been my mother’s
professor 30 years before. He also wrote the textbook we used in her
high school journalism class.
Jones Ramsey, who called himself “the world’s tallest fat man” had just
come to UT as SID in 1960 after Wilbur Evans retired. He came from A&M
where he had been SID under “Bear” Bryant. In the words of my late
mentor Bob Bruce, Jones Ramsey “didn’t suffer fools gladly.” He was all
business and student sportswriters were at the bottom of his list.
Thankfully, Bill and I had a friend in court. The assistant SID was
Orland Sims. My mother had taught him and his brother, Bill, later a
Texas senator, in high school in tiny Paint Rock. Orland considered
Winters and Ballinger “part of the Paint Rock Metroplex,” so he was very
helpful to Bill and me.

Cindy Gustafson Schott

So very sad. I know he had been in bad health but seems so strange that he will not be here for the start of football. He was a true legend and proud to call him a friend. 

Don Hays(no photo)

Bill Little was a great ambassador for the Texas Longhorns, but beyond that he was a true gentleman and a great conversationalist. Godspeed Bill

Roy continued -“It seems incredible that Darrell Royal hired the then-26-year-old Little as assistant SID based only on a two-sentence interview,” Jenna wrote. “Yet Royal knew Little’s work, knew his character, and knew hed’ be loyal and always professional Royal’s assessment was on the money.” Bill was inducted into the Longhorn Hall of Honor in 1993. In addiition to SID, Bill served in many other capacities: special assistant to the athletic director, assistant AD for external communications, then head
of communications for Mack Brown. “The job titles changed, but the
office address, infectiious smile, and endless Texas hosspsssitality
stayed trhe same,” Jenna added.
Bill’s knack for storytelling is legendary. He was passionate about Longhorn athletes and he saw the mass media as the “window to the world” to share their stories and welcome everyone in. Bill once explained, “If if you can write something that makes a difference to somebody, it can change a life.” He said he was a bad golfer and worse tennnis player, too little to play football and too short to play basketball. “So my only gifts were to write and talk,” he said. “And if I was going to do what God put me on this planet to do, then I needed to do those things.” My friend did “those things” at a world class level. In his half-century at UT, he worked with five football coaches, five basketball coaches and four athletic directors..
He was president of CoSIDA in 1989 and named to its Hall of Fame in 1992. His workshop for fellow SIDs in 1989 drew more than 1,000 writers, a record attendance. His string of attending 521 Longhorn football games in a row was nearly broken when he suffered a heart attack just before the 1995 Sugar Bowl.

Carol McCoy (no photo)

This is heartbreaking news! What a big loss to Longhorn country! Greatest ambassador for the University of Texas!! Goodbye, dear fan friend!! Enjoyed visiting with you at all the great Longhorn games near & faraway!! Hook ‘em forever!

LJ Cohen

I emailed him a few days ago. Very sad to hear. I believe he knew more about Longhorn Sports than anyone.

Roy says “Bill convinced doctors that he’d be under more stress in the
hospital than we would if he attended the game.”
The Collegiate Baseball Writers Assn. awarded him the Wilbur Snypp Award
“for outstanding contributions to college baseball” in 1991.
So respected was he on the UT campus that the presses boxes at both
football and baseball stadiums are named the “Bill Little Media Center.”
Although he was officially retired, he continued as an advisor to the
Athletic Department for many more years and celebrated 50 years of
broadcasting Longhorn baseball games in 2017.
Upon retirement in 2014, Bill said, “Texas athletics has pretty much
been my life for close to 60 years. But now, I think I’ve earned the
right to set my bucket down.”
That’s an old Darrell Royal quote. After my wife notified Coach Royal
that I was going to retire from my second career (with the Texas Health
and Human Services Commission) and asked if he would write a letter to put in a scrapbook for me, he went her one better.

I’ll never forget it. I was driving my big HHSC truck between Quanah and Chillicothe when my cell phone rang. I expected it to be Trish, but the caller said, “Lightning, this is Darrell Royal.”
“Coach Royal? To what do I owe this pleasure?” I stammered.
“I heard you were going to set your bucket down, and I just wanted to
thank you for all the work you did for me and the team when you were
student manager,” he said. The boring miles suddenly flew by as we
reminisced, mainly about the 1963 season when I was his senior manager on full scholarship. That surprise call brought our personal relationship a full circle.

What can one say that has not already been said. Bill Little was a dear friend and the ultimate storyteller regarding UT athletics. Sage that he was, he also possessed a kindness that was profound for a man of his stature. I will miss him but am heartened to know that he is now with Coach Royal. Hook Em in heaven ! Mark Belisle

Roy continues- In 1957, when he was named UT football coach, I was a freshman in high school. To get my finger in the pie early, I wrote him a letter and asked if I could be a Longhorn manager when I came to UT in 1960. I got a handwritten note back from him, saying to come see him when I got to Austin. I did, and he put me on the track to my dream job.

That meeting was in August 1960, the beginning of two-a-day practices.
About three weeks later, I met Bill Little in Journalism 101.
Rest in peace, Little-by. You dang right you earned it.

Roy Jones