Longhorn Sports history told by those who created it needs to be saved.

Ricardo Romo epitomizes what happens when a great university recruits a great athlete who lives an exemplary life giving back the blessings he has received. With Ricardo Romo in the 1960’s thru the present “What started with him changed the world.”

Last year I attended a lunch in San Antonio that included Gene Powell, Ricardo Romo, Phil Harris, Jim Kay, and Benny Pace. Until this luncheon , I always thought that Tom Campbell was the best story teller , but after listening to Ricardo expound on Longhorn sports history -Tom Campbell should beware there is a challenger for his throne as master story teller.

Former UTSA President Ricardo Romo had all of us at the table mesmerized while sharing important moments in Longhorn Sports from his perspective as a premier middle distance Longhorn track star.

After lunch I asked Richard “Ricardo” Romo to share his stories on the TLSN Longhorn sports history site. He agreed.

In the photo above Ricardo is #3 is in front leading Jim Ryun who in this race sets the world record . Ricardo shares his memories of this race and other races including running the first sub 4 mile in the state of Texas in the Que at https://texaslsn.org .

Quotes from the Book THE KICKER

EVERY NIGHT ENDS THE SAME, AS THE ENTIRE FAMILY GETS ON THEIR KNEES AND RECITES THE LORD’S PRAYER………. IF ONE DAILY ACT DEFINES THE BEDNARSKI’S IT IS THE RECITATION OF THIS PRAYER. THEY BELIEVE IT, AND THEY BELIEVE THAT THEY WILL BE DELIVERED FROM THE EVIL FORCES THAT HAVE UPROOTED THEM FROM THE VILLAGE IN OCCUPIED POLAND WHERE THEY WERE LOADED INTO CATTLE CARS ON THE TRAIN THAT HAS TAKEN THEM TO AUSTRIA NEARLY 1,000 MILES AWAY.

AFTER THE GRUELING TRAIN TRIP, THE POLISH VILLAGERS WERE UNLOADED ONTO THE SNOWY PLATFORM. IMMEDIATELY SIRENS RANG OUT.  IT WAS AN AIR RAID, AND ALL WERE HERDED INTO A SHELTER JUST AS THE BOMBS STARTED DROPPING. PEOPLE CRIED AND PRAYED AND HELD ON TO EACH OTHER AS THEY ALL REALIZED THEIR LIVES WOULD NEVER BE THE SAME IF THEY LIVED AT ALL.

Fred Bednarski’s story is compelling and it is in the Que.

Quote from Amy Goodwin

“The picture above reflects a very special moment in my life.  On this day in 1989 it was my father’s turn to have a front row seat as I entered USC sports history as an All American in  Cross Country.  Even though my dad passed away in 2005, he and I are still bonded. In good times and bad times our spirits continue to connect and during those moments I draw strength from him.” 

Amy’s whole story about her dad is in the Que.

Amy’s dad 1958 Bobby Goodwin