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TLSN serves two missions. One is chronicling the history of all Longhorn NCAA-sanctioned sports. The second is a compassionate component offering those who qualify a temporary financial safety net.
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Dennis was a proud man caught in awful circumstances. He struggled with many health issues in his life journey. In October 2014, Dennis decided to reach out to many former Longhorn student-athletes for help with the following email.
Dear Horns,
This is Dennis Ladd, and I was in the 1970 recruiting class. I am in dire need of a pain specialist and a rheumatologist. A pain specialist that can accept Superior Medicaid is the most urgent, or any doctor that can prescribe narcotics. I can pay a reduced fee, depending on the amount. I am on social security disability and get a check for $721.00 a month. I have had both knees replaced and one hip replacement. I am scheduled to have the other hip replaced soon. I have had surgery on both shoulders and both of my hands. I have been disabled since 1990. I have rheumatoid and osteoarthritis and am in constant severe pain. These problems all go back to my playing days at UT. I was a two-year letterman and could not play my senior year because the doctors warned me not to. Thanks in advance for any help you can come up with. Hope you are doing well. Hook ‘Em Horns. God bless all of you for the work you are doing to help others.
In November 2014, he finally got his appointment to see a pain specialist.
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Stan Mauldin, Billy Dale, Dennis Ladd, and Bill Walker
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In December of 2014, with little income and poor health, he shared with many that he could not pay the property tax on his home. Fifteen teammates responded to his plea for help and raised enough to pay his property tax for two years.
The financial reprieve gave him time to objectively and successfully sell his property under no duress or desperation. The proceeds helped him survive economically, but his health issues and pain remained.
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Dennis Ladd’s health status situation was one of the inspirations behind Benny Pace, Jim Kay, and Billy Dale forming a 501 ( c ) (3) tax-exempt in 2017. While I can’t speak for Benny or Jim, Dennis’s need for assistance was an epiphany moment for me.
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There is no reason that any former Longhorn student-athlete who helped build the Longhorn brand should be forgotten when a crisis occurs.
The current TLSN Board, composed of Benny Pace, Jim Kay, Chairwoman Beth Coblentz, Billy Dale, and Sherryl Hauglum, are committed to making sure that no former Longhorn student-athlete, manager, or trainer is forgotten in time of need.
Please pass the TLSN mission forward to your friends who qualify as part of the former Longhorn student-athletes, manager, and trainer network.
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Mark Halfmann, Don Burrisk, Dennis Ladd, Bill Walker
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Horns ???? UP!!!
TLSN
If you would like to celebrate Dennis’s life, please send your comments to Billydale1@Gmail.com, and they will be posted.
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TLSN is a 501 (c)(3) Longhorn Sports history educational website with a compassionate component.
The TLSN website and newsletter are free to access, delivering educational, historical, and insightful Longhorn sports history as told through the eyes of those who created it.
Fortunately, most former Longhorn student-athletes, coaches, and support staff personnel have successfully transitioned to the job market with health insurance and loss of income safety nets.
Still, help is needed for some, and TLSN donors have opened hearts and wallets to extend a helping hand. TLSN’s donors have assisted those who qualify with grants varying from $2000 to $25,000.
Please be one of those open hearts and donate to TLSN.
All of us associated with the TLSN Board and the advisor committee do so without compensation. It is our gift back to the Longhorn brand builders of our great university.
Join us by giving back. Donations support qualifying former UT student-athletes, coaches, support staff members, and their immediate families.
Https://texaslsn.org
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