Mark McDonald – A Royal Story
Renowned sports writer Mark McDonald wrote the definitive book on Texas -Arkansas 1969 Big Shoot-out. His storyline explores more than the game highlights. In his book, Mark manages to merge game highlights, political upheaval, racial tensions, and the Vietnam protest into a cacophony of America in 1969.
The author variously spent 30-plus years covering team sports and outdoors at dailies in El Paso, Abilene, Dallas and San Antonio. He now manages a book publishing team out of Midland, where he plays lukewarm golf.
He and his wife, Susan, are grandparents of four and parents of two UT-Austin grads, son Rob Roy, and Turk.
Mark played football for UTEP, while his son Turk was recruited by David McWilliams and was an All-SWC selection under Coach Mackovic.
TLSN interviewed Turk McDonald at https://www.texaslsn.org/turk-mcdonald
Mark also wrote a hilarious article about Spike Dykes.
“Beware of Flying Baloney” Spike Dykes
The link to the story about Spike is at https://www.texaslsn.org/beware-of-flying-baloney-spike-dykes
Mark, on the day the Royals last coached, interviewed DKR. It was after the 2006 Arkansas game in Austin. Texas won a competition between average teams. Mark’s detailed story captures a special time and special Coach. The link to Mark’s memories of DKR are at MARK MCDONALD -“ROYAL- MOMENTS IN TIME” (squarespace.com).
Mark can be found on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-s-mcdonald-sr-7b149923
