Ma Griffith
1935-1938
Coach Chevigny was an innovator and proactive thinker, if not a good coach. He bought a field cover to protect the grass on the football field and started filming games for study purposes.
1935-1938 Under Chevigny, Texas had its first ‘training table” and athletic dorm with a “dorm mother” by the name of “Ma Griffith””
Don Talbert says ,
Back with the varsity as freshmen, we sat on the side of the table, the first three rows filled with varsity football players. We scouted out the dorm, ate, and retreated like regular varsity. Everyone fought and played hard. Ma Griffith was our house mother in Moorehill Hall, always saying, “This is Ma Griffith wishing you a nice supper.” She spoke to me every day. She lived in the dorms, in a room connected to the chow hall with its big kitchen and dining area. I don’t know how long she’d been there, but it was a long time, and she looked worn out. She was a legend. I’d see her and she’d ask, “Did you have a good day?” Before eating, she’d say, “All right, boys, bow your heads,” and we’d stand behind our chairs as she prayed. While she prayed, someone would sneak a piece of chicken onto a plate. After the prayer, she’d notice and say, “You’re not supposed to serve yourself until the prayer is finished.” Then she’d come up behind with a stick, threatening to use it if the chicken wasn’t put back. Bill once got some chicken, and she came over with her little stick and said, “Put that chicken back.”
Ma Griff, Bill McDonald, Richard Ochoa, Jack Barton
When Frank Medina told Ma Griffin to cut back on the amount of food at dinner, some of the players complained to Coach Price they were starving to death.
Tom Stolhandske said Ms. Griffith required prayers before each meal. In the early mid-50, “she walked around, and if she saw anybody acting up,…., she’d scoot behind them, grab them by the hair, pull their head back, and give them a real lecture.”
Jim Wilson said said “Ma’s “attacks” with her cane always drew approval from the athletes. Her dining table was outside the door to her apartment. Coaches and other athletic personnel ate with her. Upper-class football players occupied the table next to hers, so there was a lot of uproars when she “disciplined” one of those fellows. Frequently it might be the closest guy, not the one deserving it. “
In 1962 she was present but mostly a figurehead. The dining room was being run by Ma’s daughter and son-in-law, Jim Blaylock. Jim was the equipment manager in the athletic department.
Price consulted the health Center and gave the boys the good news that it takes a guy 32 days to starve to death, so not to worry.
Tom Stolhandske talks about Ma Griffith
