Jenna McEachern, Peppy Blount, Cross Country,

Closely aligned with the Longhorn media department and Bill Little, Jenna McEachern has both edited and authored many significant moments in the history of Longhorn sports. Her story now joins the permanent archives captured for posterity combining podcast, visual, and text at https://texas-lsn.squarespace.com/jenna-mceachern

Vincent R. Dinino and Jenna McEachern

Peppy Blount

Peppy’s book titled “Mamas, don’t let your babies grow to play Football” is a fascinating read- profound and insightful- capturing Longhorn football’s greatness after WWII from 1945-1951. Bobby Layne, Dick Harris, Hub Bechtol, D.X. Bible, Blair Cherry, Dick Harris, Tom Landry, Rooster Andrews, Ed Kelley, and many others rebuilt Longhorn football from the malaise of poor football in the 1930s.

After his years as a Longhorn, Blount made a living playing NFL football, officiating college and professional football games, practicing law, sitting on the bench, ranching, writing, and drilling for oil.

But it was as a Longhorn while on scholarship that Blount made Longhorn sports history. In 1946 Blount, as a starter for the Longhorns, was also a “principal” speaker on the high school speaking circuit. The SWC rule book said that only coaches can be a principal speaker in these events, so Coach Bible made Blount a member of the coaching staff even though Blount was a scholarship player.

In 1947 Blount won a seat in the Texas House of Representatives. SWC committee members received complaints about Blount and reviewed his eligibility status. The Texas Attorney General determined receiving income from the House of Representatives and financial support as a scholarship athlete was illegal, and Blount officially lost his scholarship.

BUT Coach Bible allowed Peppy Blount to continue to live in the athletic dorm and maintained his dining room privileges at no charge. The G.I. bill paid for Blount’s tuition and books. Blount finished his college career with no scholarship, but most of the benefits.

Here ends the newsletter portion of the life of Peppy Blount, but there is more. If interested in knowing more about his fascinating life journey, visit:

https://texas-lsn.squarespace.com/tring-reflections-1950s

Tim Taylor

Can 2020 please end?  Who had “Mullets Return” on their 2020 Bingo Card?  I had global pandemic before that, for crying out loud.] 

 https://texas-lsn.squarespace.com/tim-taylor-football-gameday-analysis

Cross Country

Women and cross country competition started in the early 1900’s with women walking instead of running to victory.

A Cross Country athlete’s motivations are pure, simple, and personal. In a sport that receives little recognition, few fans, no press, and guaranteed pain- pride, competitive spirit, and a strong finish the race.

In Cross Country, there is no finish line without pain. Mental toughness is a requirement. One athlete said, “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.

Horns UP!

1985 Cross Country team photo

More on both the men and women cross country teams are at.

https://texas-lsn.squarespace.com/cross-country-men-and-womens

Warts and all the TLSN website has grown from 770 impressions a month in 2015 to between 14,000 and 16,000 impressions per month in 2020.

Recently I re-read some of the older newsletters. The content made me grimace. For those of you who read the early newsletters and did not unsubscribe, thank you!

Starting in 2019 Squarespace software adding a newsletter format. It is a perfect center stage venue delivering properly formatted content, podcasts, original articles, photos, and stories from those who created Longhorn sports history.. Jenna McEachern, Bill Atessis, Jim Bayless, Ben Crenshaw, Barbara Wainscott, Gaylon Krizak, Billy Schott, Steve Ross, Tommy Lucas, Byrd Baggett, Ricardo Romo, Dave Morton, Stan Mauldin, John Carsey, Beverly Kearny, Robert Brewer, and many others have shared their stores through the “Eyes of Texas” in a format saved for posterity.

TLSN is an independent organization celebrating Longhorn Sports History and assisting qualifying Horns who need temporary financial assistance.

The TLSN website and newsletter are free, educational, historical, and insightful sharing Longhorn sports history through the eyes of those who created it.

TLSN is not associated with the UT Athletics Department or any organization closely aligned with UT.

Https://texaslsn.org