1970 Steve Barton

 Billy,

I am sure you do not remember me, but I walked on in 1970, made the team, and Lettered at fullback my Freshman year behind Gaspard. I roomed with McEnvale (Not the Mattress Mac) but ended up rooming with Julius for a few months. I remember you and Julius coming to the room and giving me the Freshman once over. Nothing bad. Julius was a funny, likable person with many girlfriends. I was often his receptionist, relaying phone calls to the room for him from dang near all girls of all races. During Spring practice, I was working as a fullback on the attack team against the first-team defense and made a lucky block on Randy Braband. Coach Door grabbed my face mask and asked me my name. I told him, Henry Barton. The next day, I had a white jersey and reported to Coach Ballard. I was way over my head and nervous, but I think at the time, Bobby Callison was hurt, and I actually scrimmaged at fullback with Eddie Phillips at QB and Burtelson and Don Burrisk at running backs. My speed was not world-class, and I remember Julius calling me speedy. We only roomed together for a few months, and I know you were close, and I think that is when he moved in with you. I actually don’t remember if I changed rooms or if he moved out. I hurt my knee the week before the Spring game and ended up having to have surgery. That is when Coach Ballard told me the scholarship we discussed was out the window. I moved out of Jester in a few months and rented a house with Rick Vacura, who had also had knee surgery.

I did not mean to make this a book, but I just wanted to relay my fond memories of Julius and thank you for all you do for this great site.

Thank You

Steve Barton