Akers Archives - Texas Legacy Support Network

Newsletter # 10 May 16, 2025- Volume IX- James Brooks, Emily Anderson soccer, David Ash, Tom Campbell, David Denny, Akers party, Ino Cantu, Raymond Downs, Fats Conley, – link to newsletter is below

Billy Dale — Fri, 16 May 2025 14:11:38 +0000

https://texaslsn.org?fluentcrm=1&route=email_preview&fc_newsletter=6e24500fae2907f872f83369ed822f43

1918 football with “Fatso Connally
1955 Raymond Downs
Ino Cantu All American at Texas
David Denny
Mike and Tom Campbell
1969 Tom Campbell
2012 David Ash
2006 Emily Anderson
1965 football James Brooks

The post Newsletter # 10 May 16, 2025- Volume IX- James Brooks, Emily Anderson soccer, David Ash, Tom Campbell, David Denny, Akers party, Ino Cantu, Raymond Downs, Fats Conley, – link to newsletter is below appeared first on Texas Legacy Support Network.

Walk-on Donny Eckhardt tells his story about Aggies and more.

Billy Dale — Sun, 01 Dec 2024 16:54:39 +0000

Foreword by Billy Dale

Thanks to a TLSN Facebook subscriber, Marcy Johnson, Donny Eckhardt Jr.’s story is now chronicled in the walk-on section of TLSN. Donny shares some wonderful memories of the Texas and Texas A&M games. But what intrigued me most was that he was a walk-on at Texas. Many may not realize that college football decision-makers are considering eliminating walk-on players, and that would be a terrible decision. Recruiting is not an exact science; it’s an educated guessing game at best. Great athletes often slip through the cracks and don’t receive a scholarship. Currently, Taaffe is a perfect example of a talented player who went unrecognized during the recruitment process.
What matters most to me, as a former player for the Longhorns, is my admiration for the spirit of walk-on players. Stan Mauldin, the captain in 1971, and Tom Campbell, a member of the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame, both were walk-ons. These young men believed in their abilities and worked hard to prove themselves. Walk-ons who succeeded became inspiring stories of perseverance and tenacity.
As you read Donny’s story, consider his burnt orange spirit. Remember, there are those in NCAA leadership positions who wish to extinguish the flames of many who dare and dream big. This travesty is an unintended consequence of the implementation of NIL.

Donny Eckhardt Jr Article

Donny Eckhardt and Coach Akers

My Memories of Texas vs Texas aTm By Donny Eckhardt

Everyone in Texas is excited about tonight’s game in College Station, which will determine who plays Georgia in the SEC Championship next week. Due to the thirteen-year absence of this game, emotions would be elevated even if the stakes were not so high.
I was born just off the University of Texas campus at St. David’s Hospital in Austin when my father started law school at UT, so I was indoctrinated early. I used to go to College Station in the summers when my grandfather, D.M. (Pat) Cook, taught at the fire school in College Station during the Summers. My first visit was when I was about six years old; the fire students and instructors would eat their meals in the Aggie dining halls. I was terrified the first time I entered the dining hall because I knew the Aggies would realize I was a Longhorn. My Great-great Grandfather, William Eckhardt, was in the first graduating class at Texas aTm, and his son William, Jr, also attended Aggieland; as in most families, you always want the next generation to do better than the last; the following three Eckhardt generations attended The University of Texas at Austin.
My first memory of attending this game was in 1974 when I was eleven. My mom got us tickets in the end zone. The wind chill factor was 20 degrees, and it was intermittently raining. I only had a white Texas windbreaker. Texas went up 14-0 in the first minute of the game and went on to win 32-3. I refused to leave until the last play.
I also remember the 1977 game in College Station, where Earl Campbell cemented his Heisman with 222 yards rushing and four touchdowns, and I was in the lower level in that magical moment when Ricky Williams broke the All-Time NCAA career rushing record in 1998 with 259 rushing yards. A patient gave me tickets to the 1999 game in College Station after the bonfire tragedy, and I sat on the front row behind the Aggie bench; every time Texas made a mistake, the TV camera panned in on me. I think we were all pulling for the Aggies that year; they won.
The most important memory to me was in 1982. I had a decent high school football career at Spring Branch, where I led district 17-5A in rushing my senior year, but I did not have the speed to get heavily recruited; I did turn down the Air Force Academy on signing day. Like many Texas boys, I dreamed of playing for the Longhorns. In March of that year, Coach McWilliams invited me to come up to Austin and have a talk. They asked me to walk on to the football team, and since I was already accepted and planning to study premed, I wholeheartedly accepted the invitation.
August training camp started, and we had four freshman running backs: Anthony Bryarly from Newton, Mike January from Lake Charles, Louisiana, the father of current Longhorn DT, Alex January, Jimmy McDavid from Memphis Boys Academy, and me. My first day was not very good; I tripped over the dummies in the gauntlet drill, I had no idea how to run the ropes, and when practice ended, I told Coach Thompson I wanted to stay after and practice what I did wrong, he asked me, “which part?” I got a little better, and just before the season started, they moved Jimmy and me out of the walk-on locker room and into the varsity locker room.
Texas had a pretty good year in 1982. We finished 13th in the country and went 9-3, with our only SWC loss to Seniors Eric Dickerson and Craig James, and the best team money could buy at SMU. I spent most of my practices on the scout team, trying to imitate those guys.
The 1982 game was played on Thanksgiving Day, one of the few times it was not televised. It was a relatively cold 49 degrees with light rain. Texas was led by 1,000-yard rusher Darryl Clark, who had 16 carries for 137 yards. The designated Touchdown machine, Ervin Davis, scored three touchdowns and added 70 yards rushing. To demonstrate how the game has changed, Texas quarterbacks Todd Dodge and Robert Brewer were a combined 6/10 for 145 yards passing.
At 8 minutes left in the fourth quarter, fellow Spring Branch Bear Mike Luck scored on an 8-yard run and made it 53-10 Texas. I was wisely standing near Coach Fred Akers, and he looked at me and said, “Donny, when we get the ball back, you’re in at fullback.” Wouldn’t you know it, the Aggies, led by Gary Kubiak, went on an 11-play, 56-yard drive that took seven minutes and scored with 47 seconds left in the game, but that still left me 40 seconds to play.
I went in. The Longhorns had Danny Akers at quarterback, Michael (Hound) Brown from Lake Highlands at tailback, and Donny Eckhardt at fullback. The call was 71, a fullback lead over the left guard. Longtime NFL Lineman Adam Schreiber was the left guard; he took his man out of the hole, which left me and my 188 pounds in an Oklahoma drill with an Aggie All-American linebacker. I lost; they tackled Hound for a 1-yard gain. We had time for one more play, and Coach Akers yelled at Danny to run whatever he wanted. I lobbied in the huddle to get the ball, but Danny called a sweep, which also went for no gain. Texas celebrated a 53-16 win against the Aggies in Jackie Sherrill’s first year, and I achieved my dream of playing for Texas.
This game is so important to the people in this state, and I am so glad we get to watch these teams square off tonight. Hook ‘Em Horns!!!

The link below is what happens when a walk-on gets a scholarship.

https://youtu.be/t6sy6437Xmo

The post Walk-on Donny Eckhardt tells his story about Aggies and more. appeared first on Texas Legacy Support Network.

Lionel Garr has passed away; timing for former Head Coach Fred Akers celebration of life is set.

Billy Dale — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 11:32:42 +0000

The post Lionel Garr has passed away; timing for former Head Coach Fred Akers celebration of life is set. appeared first on Texas Legacy Support Network.

Fred Akers, 1914 season, – Rauls and Steinhauer, living forward

Billy Dale — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 11:32:39 +0000

Hi Longhorn Nation,

As communicated on last week; Coach Akers’ Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, January 12th at 11 am.

For those players/coaches that wish to make a short video expressing wonderful memories of Coach Akers; you may email your brief video to blake@clcaustin.com as soon as possible.

The service website information is clcaustin.com/fredakers. The memorial service will start at 11 AM; however, you will be able to access the website as early as 10:30 AM. if there are any questions about the video, Blake is available to answer any and all questions. His phone number is 940-390-4099.

Please continue to pray for the Akers family and we will advise of any additional updates.

Thanks and have a blessed and safe New Year!

Doug and Debra Shankle



TLSN is a free, educational, and historical newsletter sharing the History of Longhorn sports in a form that lives forward, reminding Horns that heritage shapes the present and inspires the future.

1914 was a terrific year for Longhorn Sports. The Cactus of 1915 states:

“The past season was perfect. We won, always won. Adversaries melted and spectators stood aghast. In the realm of football we were supreme. But underlying all of these decisive victories and gigantic scores was that most valuable characteristic- Texas Spirit.”

Clyde Littlefield led both Longhorn sports teams to undefeated seasons. A record that can never be broken.





The football team outscored opponents 358-21. Two of those opponents were Baylor and O.U. Even more impressive is that 7 members of the 1914 teams were inducted into the Longhorn Hall of Honor- Louis Jordan, Gus Dittmar, K.L. Berry, Pete Edmond, Clyde Littlefield, Alva Carlton, and Leonard Barrell. Also inducted from the 1914-1915 class were Coach Billy Disch, Coach David Allerdice, and “Doc”’ Henry. The Stark Center has honored the 1914 teams with a significant exhibit. The link to the Stark presentation is at https://texas-lsn.squarespace.com/1914.



Len Barrell scored 14 touchdowns, kicked 34 extra points, and added a field goal for a total of 121 points for the 1914 season-a record that lasted until 1997 when Ricky Williams broke the record.

Longhorn sports history is lost forever if not shared by those who participated or supported U.T. Athletics. TLSN is a dynamic, active website growing every day with articles written, comments expressed, photos captured, and special moments chronicled by 100’s of individuals who have chosen to add to the website’s spirit.

Your comments can be as long as Jim Bayless, who spent months chronicling 100 plus years of Longhorn Tennis history for the TLSN website. Or your story can be one to three sentences.

Former Longhorn Soccer coach Pibulvech shared with me via email three years ago that “I no longer view my years at Texas and the other universities as a failure. I hope the Longhorns win a National Championship in soccer, but that no coach should gauge their success on winning a once in a lifetime national championship, but instead should gauge their success in building a program that gives the team a lifetime of chances to win the national championship.”

Email comments or photos to Williamdale@msn.com



Coach Pibulvech https://texas-lsn.squarespace.com/coach-dang-pibulvech-womens-soccer-1



Harvey Penick recognized Betsy’s talent and helped mold her into one of the greatest women golfers of all time. Betsy says about Harvey, “his interest in students for their own sake rather than for the sake of his own reflected glory” won her over. Thru the years, Betsy referred many other talented women golfers to Harvey. https://texas-lsn.squarespace.com/1947



Sherri Steinhauer is a first-team All-American at Texas, and winner of four major professional golf tournaments. In the book Life of Coach by Mickie Edwards, she says that “Coach Weis didn’t try to instruct her players about playing golf. She never worked with us on swing specifics. She would give us tips and goals to strive for, but she left the golfing mechanics up to our pros.” https://texas-lsn.squarespace.com/history-5

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

The post Fred Akers, 1914 season, – Rauls and Steinhauer, living forward appeared first on Texas Legacy Support Network.

Coach Fred Akers

Billy Dale — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 11:31:21 +0000

The post Coach Fred Akers appeared first on Texas Legacy Support Network.

Fred Akers, Eddie Gilbert, Steve Ross, and looking back but moving forward

Billy Dale — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 11:31:18 +0000





Christmas 2008 Looking Back Moving Forward

In 2016 three former Longhorn student-athletes/managers -Jim Kay, Benny Pace, and Billy Dale- envisioned a free, insightful, historical, and educational newsletter to share and celebrate the history of Longhorn sports by those who created it. One hundred thirty newsletters later, we close-out 2020 with this one.

Writing the newsletters has been part of a learning curve with no drone view from above warning us of pending obstacles. We had to climb each hill to see what was on the other side.

Our mission is not nearly complete, but as we look back, we can see forward. The TLSN website and newsletter in marketing terms has grown from 19,374 impressions in 2016 to 209,198 in 2020.

2020 Looking back

Of the 209,198 TLSN impressions here are the top 10 links for 2020

The second TLSN mission has struggled. TLSN is a 501 (c) (3) offering ” qualifying” Longhorn student-athletes, managers, trainers, coaches, and their immediate families’ a last resort temporary financial safety net. To implement this mission, TLSN needed to be compliant with NCAA and U.T. rules. That process was tedious and time-consuming, but it is now complete.

TLSN has granted approximately $15,000 each to a volleyball player whose son has Leukemia, a football player with oral cancer, and a football player in a wheelchair for life.

Raising money to help those who qualify for assistance is difficult. Still, even more, difficult is delivering the message that an NCAA compliant organization exists that may help those who are eligible for assistance. My guess is that 9000 + members of the Longhorn foundation do not know of the TLSN service, and we don’t know how to reach them.

We are open to suggestions on how to communicate with them.

My email address is williamdale@msn.com



Tyres



Tyres

A thousand words won’t bring you back;

I know because I’ve tried.

Neither will a thousand tears;

I know because I’ve cried.

Kily Dunbar

A celebration of Coach Akers life is now permanently saved at Coach Fred Akers (squarespace.com)

We have lost a Longhorn legend. Olympian Eddie Gilbert passed away last week. He was a great friend and loyal supporter of Texas Swimming and a military hero. He rarely missed a reunion and was inducted in the inaugural class of the Texas Swimming and Diving Hall of Fame and, of course, was one of the first recipients of the Frank Erwin Award.

An Austin native who learned to swim in Barton Springs, Gilbert was the 1946 and 1947 high school state champion and record holder in the 100 freestyle. He won the 1948 AAU national championship in the 200 freestyle, earning a spot on the 1948 Olympic team, and was on the 800 freestyle relay that won the gold medal in London. Gilbert was a Southwest Conference champion and All-American in each of his three years at Texas

TLSN has set up a site to honor and celebrate Longhorn student-athletes, managers, coaches, and trainers who have passed away in 2020.

If you know of someone I missed, please email me at Williamdale@msn.com, and he or she will be remembered and celebrated on the website.

Please visit the link below that starts with a celebration of T. Jones life

2020 T-Jones (squarespace.com)

Steve Ross interviews Coach Aker’s in the photo above.

Steve Ross, a T.V. personality and media leader during the Akers years, words of wisdom about looking backward before moving forward are poignant.

In 2019 the 1969 Longhorn football team celebrated the 50th anniversary of the National Championship team. While I did not attend the reunion, I was there in spirit with emotions reflective of a 70-year-old man trying to remain relevant in a youth-based society.

As I watched my 69, 70, and 71-year-old teammates stepped onto the DKR stadium field, I asked myself a theoretical question. If the same situation occurred when I was a young man in 1969, would I be impressed with the 1919 Longhorns winning a national championship? I answered this theoretical question but have chosen not to share?

For 40 years, I told the story of the 1969 and 1970 national championship teams to anyone who would listen. I took great pride in showing everyone my national championship ring. With a sense of humor intended, in 2009, I realized for the first time that my stories were ancient history to many/most Longhorn fans. My sports shelf life was over so I chose to wear my Championship ring no longer. ???? Fans had moved on from being impressed with my stories to being impressed that I am still alive and healthy.

Steve Ross Responded to my comments:

Interesting topic Billy, one that I have pondered over the years. College football has spent most of its lifetime as a regional sport. In that, you can be a college football fan, but the history and memories that drive alumni and fans back to the stands year after year are regionally based.

My first experience at a Longhorn game was as a 7-year old sitting in the knot-hole section of the north end zone with my older brother watching DKR’s first Texas team play Tulane. There are parts of that experience that are still as fresh as if they happened yesterday. The night air, the lights, and the cool uniforms, on both sides. I can still see the Tulane helmets with a flashy wave on them. Pardon the pun, but I was hooked.

My answer to your question is this. What separates the elite (Texas, Alabama, USC, Michigan, Ohio State, O.U., and a few others) is the history and the championships. They produced generations of dedicated fans who pass that dedication down to future generations.

That “regional” dedication is fading, at least a little bit, IMO—television, or more exactly, the money that follows T.V. College Football is in danger of turning into the NFL 2.0. When the “Game of the Century” was played in Fayetteville, half of the nation (50 million people) tuned in. There were only three networks, and you could only appear on T.V. 2 or 3 times a season. It was an event.

Now every game is televised. The money is astounding. The UT Athletic Department’s yearly revenue would make it one of the largest businesses in Austin. With money comes expectation. “Giving the old College Try” doesn’t matter that much anymore. It’s “Just Win Baby.” At least that is what it looks like to this old man.

Anyway, my answer would be that you would value the championship team’s contribution 50 years later because it helped build heritage and history that makes the program so attractive to many casual fans today.

Steve Ross

Steve Ross is right!! Looking back at achievements not only honors the past but shapes the present and empowers the future.

My ring is back on my finger where it belongs. .

Below photo- 2019 Kansas game celebration of the 1969 national team.



Emory Bellard’s National Championship ring.

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

The post Fred Akers, Eddie Gilbert, Steve Ross, and looking back but moving forward appeared first on Texas Legacy Support Network.

Status of Coach Fred Akers

Billy Dale — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 11:30:55 +0000

The post Status of Coach Fred Akers appeared first on Texas Legacy Support Network.

Arlis Parkhurst , Diane Akers, John Carsey (basketball), and Billy Dale

Billy Dale — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 11:30:50 +0000

Horns UP!!!

1958 Longhorn Football Captain Arlis Parkhurst has passed away. A celebration of his life is at https://texas-lsn.squarespace.com/arlis-parkhurst

There are updates on Diane Akers request for political action to help family members visit loved ones in memory care units. Dena Reneau also shares her story about here husband Joe Reneau. https://texas-lsn.squarespace.com/fredakers-and-dianeakers



JOHN CARSEY

Longhorn sports history is best told by those who created it. As of August 15, 2020, 6 former Longhorn student-athletes have agreed to share their special memories via podcast.

First up is John Carsey, who played for Abe Lemons during a crucial period in Longhorn basketball history-1975, 1976, 1977,1978.

As a walk-on in 1975 (Coach Leon Blacks last year), John led the freshman team in scoring, and he hoped his performance would lead to a try-out for the varsity in 1976. Instead, Abe Lemons chose not to include walk-ons, and John believed his dream of playing for the Horns was over.

Fortunately for Carsey, some of the scholarship players revolted against Lemons’ coaching style and quit. Late in the season, Coach Lemons had only nine players, so Assistant Coach Barry Dowd asked John to join the team.

John says about Lemons “While we certainly had our stars, particularly the Big Three of Johnny Moore, Ron Baxter, and Jim Krivacs, no player (even the lone walk-on) was made to feel lesser. We all appreciated that it was a total team effort to push everyone to be better, and there was no class system.”

John’s memories are captured in the link below in both an audio format and a photomontage with corroborating stores.

https://texas-lsn.squarespace.com/john-carsey-basketball-under-coach-black-and-coach-lemons

John Carsey is #24 in the photo below

Vince Young chose to write his U.T. thesis about Julius Whittier. In this photo he is at my home interviewing Julius.

On the TLSN website, there is a web page called “Reflection Point. ” The page shares stories about Horns and allows anyone to share their special memory on Longhorn sports. The link is:

https://texas-lsn.squarespace.com/player-and-fan-memories

Mack Brown said about his life journey, “we are like pieces of clay, and each person who touches us makes an impression. Julius did so on my life journey.

Who someone rooms with should NOT be a newsworthy event. However, on September 8, 1970, the Associated Press wrote a “provocative” article that said, “Whittier, Texas black offensive guard, is rooming with a white player and occasionally dating white women.” I am that “white player.”

During the last three months, several news organizations have called me requesting an interview to discuss Julius Whittier. I have declined those requests.

However, I have not been silenced by the media, and my story at https://texas-lsn.squarespace.com/julius-whittier-the-benchmark is my Reflection Point.

Julius Whittier is a vital part of Longhorn sports history, and his life journey deserves to be celebrated.

In 1970 Coach Royal called three seniors into his office and said: “there are two to a room, and one of you will room with Julius.”

As Julius and I soon learned, we had nothing in common except the love of football. While Julius was a critical thinker, I was not. In addition, cultural prisms separated our lives. I was from West Texas and viewed the world as simple, uncomplicated, and linear. Julius was from San Antonio, and his view was complicated, thought-provoking, deeply penetrating, and personally intrusive. Julius forced me outside my comfort zone, and I did not enjoy it. So we argued, and through the process, I learned more from Julius then Julius learned from me.

It has taken me five years of soul searching and research to complete the story at the link mentioned above. It is a long article that intertwines Longhorn’s racial history with sports and sets the stage for new beginnings with the benchmark -Julius Whittier.

If you choose to read the article, please know that I do not pretend to be a professional writer or a professional historian. I am now, and I will always be an amateur who enjoys sharing Longhorn sports history.

Respectfully, Billy Dale



Billy Dale, Julius Whittier, and JoEllen Mason celebrating Julius induction into the Hall of Honor.

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

The TLSN website is a 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

The post Arlis Parkhurst , Diane Akers, John Carsey (basketball), and Billy Dale appeared first on Texas Legacy Support Network.

Status of Coach Fred Akers

Billy Dale — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 11:30:02 +0000

The post Status of Coach Fred Akers appeared first on Texas Legacy Support Network.

Fred Akers, Eddie Gilbert, Steve Ross, and looking back but moving forward

Billy Dale — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 11:29:03 +0000





Christmas 2008 Looking Back Moving Forward

In 2016 three former Longhorn student-athletes/managers -Jim Kay, Benny Pace, and Billy Dale- envisioned a free, insightful, historical, and educational newsletter to share and celebrate the history of Longhorn sports by those who created it. One hundred thirty newsletters later, we close-out 2020 with this one.

Writing the newsletters has been part of a learning curve with no drone view from above warning us of pending obstacles. We had to climb each hill to see what was on the other side.

Our mission is not nearly complete, but as we look back, we can see forward. The TLSN website and newsletter in marketing terms has grown from 19,374 impressions in 2016 to 209,198 in 2020.

2020 Looking back

Of the 209,198 TLSN impressions here are the top 10 links for 2020

The second TLSN mission has struggled. TLSN is a 501 (c) (3) offering ” qualifying” Longhorn student-athletes, managers, trainers, coaches, and their immediate families’ a last resort temporary financial safety net. To implement this mission, TLSN needed to be compliant with NCAA and U.T. rules. That process was tedious and time-consuming, but it is now complete.

TLSN has granted approximately $15,000 each to a volleyball player whose son has Leukemia, a football player with oral cancer, and a football player in a wheelchair for life.

Raising money to help those who qualify for assistance is difficult. Still, even more, difficult is delivering the message that an NCAA compliant organization exists that may help those who are eligible for assistance. My guess is that 9000 + members of the Longhorn foundation do not know of the TLSN service, and we don’t know how to reach them.

We are open to suggestions on how to communicate with them.

My email address is williamdale@msn.com



Tyres



Tyres

A thousand words won’t bring you back;

I know because I’ve tried.

Neither will a thousand tears;

I know because I’ve cried.

Kily Dunbar

A celebration of Coach Akers life is now permanently saved at Coach Fred Akers (squarespace.com)

We have lost a Longhorn legend. Olympian Eddie Gilbert passed away last week. He was a great friend and loyal supporter of Texas Swimming and a military hero. He rarely missed a reunion and was inducted in the inaugural class of the Texas Swimming and Diving Hall of Fame and, of course, was one of the first recipients of the Frank Erwin Award.

An Austin native who learned to swim in Barton Springs, Gilbert was the 1946 and 1947 high school state champion and record holder in the 100 freestyle. He won the 1948 AAU national championship in the 200 freestyle, earning a spot on the 1948 Olympic team, and was on the 800 freestyle relay that won the gold medal in London. Gilbert was a Southwest Conference champion and All-American in each of his three years at Texas

TLSN has set up a site to honor and celebrate Longhorn student-athletes, managers, coaches, and trainers who have passed away in 2020.

If you know of someone I missed, please email me at Williamdale@msn.com, and he or she will be remembered and celebrated on the website.

Please visit the link below that starts with a celebration of T. Jones life

2020 T-Jones (squarespace.com)

Steve Ross interviews Coach Aker’s in the photo above.

Steve Ross, a T.V. personality and media leader during the Akers years, words of wisdom about looking backward before moving forward are poignant.

In 2019 the 1969 Longhorn football team celebrated the 50th anniversary of the National Championship team. While I did not attend the reunion, I was there in spirit with emotions reflective of a 70-year-old man trying to remain relevant in a youth-based society.

As I watched my 69, 70, and 71-year-old teammates stepped onto the DKR stadium field, I asked myself a theoretical question. If the same situation occurred when I was a young man in 1969, would I be impressed with the 1919 Longhorns winning a national championship? I answered this theoretical question but have chosen not to share?

For 40 years, I told the story of the 1969 and 1970 national championship teams to anyone who would listen. I took great pride in showing everyone my national championship ring. With a sense of humor intended, in 2009, I realized for the first time that my stories were ancient history to many/most Longhorn fans. My sports shelf life was over so I chose to wear my Championship ring no longer. ???? Fans had moved on from being impressed with my stories to being impressed that I am still alive and healthy.

Steve Ross Responded to my comments:

Interesting topic Billy, one that I have pondered over the years. College football has spent most of its lifetime as a regional sport. In that, you can be a college football fan, but the history and memories that drive alumni and fans back to the stands year after year are regionally based.

My first experience at a Longhorn game was as a 7-year old sitting in the knot-hole section of the north end zone with my older brother watching DKR’s first Texas team play Tulane. There are parts of that experience that are still as fresh as if they happened yesterday. The night air, the lights, and the cool uniforms, on both sides. I can still see the Tulane helmets with a flashy wave on them. Pardon the pun, but I was hooked.

My answer to your question is this. What separates the elite (Texas, Alabama, USC, Michigan, Ohio State, O.U., and a few others) is the history and the championships. They produced generations of dedicated fans who pass that dedication down to future generations.

That “regional” dedication is fading, at least a little bit, IMO—television, or more exactly, the money that follows T.V. College Football is in danger of turning into the NFL 2.0. When the “Game of the Century” was played in Fayetteville, half of the nation (50 million people) tuned in. There were only three networks, and you could only appear on T.V. 2 or 3 times a season. It was an event.

Now every game is televised. The money is astounding. The UT Athletic Department’s yearly revenue would make it one of the largest businesses in Austin. With money comes expectation. “Giving the old College Try” doesn’t matter that much anymore. It’s “Just Win Baby.” At least that is what it looks like to this old man.

Anyway, my answer would be that you would value the championship team’s contribution 50 years later because it helped build heritage and history that makes the program so attractive to many casual fans today.

Steve Ross

Steve Ross is right!! Looking back at achievements not only honors the past but shapes the present and empowers the future.

My ring is back on my finger where it belongs. .

Below photo- 2019 Kansas game celebration of the 1969 national team.



Emory Bellard’s National Championship ring.

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

The post Fred Akers, Eddie Gilbert, Steve Ross, and looking back but moving forward appeared first on Texas Legacy Support Network.

Akers Archives - Texas Legacy Support Network

Newsletter # 10 May 16, 2025- Volume IX- James Brooks, Emily Anderson soccer, David Ash, Tom Campbell, David Denny, Akers party, Ino Cantu, Raymond Downs, Fats Conley, – link to newsletter is below

Walk-on Donny Eckhardt tells his story about Aggies and more.

Donny Eckhardt Jr Article

My Memories of Texas vs Texas aTm By Donny Eckhardt

Lionel Garr has passed away; timing for former Head Coach Fred Akers celebration of life is set.

Lionel Garr has passed away.

The date for Coach Akers celebration of life has been set

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

The TLSN website is a 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

Fred Akers, 1914 season, – Rauls and Steinhauer, living forward

TLSN is a free, educational, and historical newsletter sharing the History of Longhorn sports in a form that lives forward, reminding Horns that heritage shapes the present and inspires the future.

1914 was a terrific year for Longhorn Sports. The Cactus of 1915 states:

“The past season was perfect. We won, always won. Adversaries melted and spectators stood aghast. In the realm of football we were supreme. But underlying all of these decisive victories and gigantic scores was that most valuable characteristic- Texas Spirit.”

Clyde Littlefield led both Longhorn sports teams to undefeated seasons. A record that can never be broken.

The football team outscored opponents 358-21. Two of those opponents were Baylor and O.U.

The Stark Center has honored the 1914 teams with a significant exhibit. The link to the Stark presentation is at https://texas-lsn.squarespace.com/1914.

Len Barrell scored 14 touchdowns, kicked 34 extra points, and added a field goal for a total of 121 points for the 1914 season-a record that lasted until 1997 when Ricky Williams broke the record.

Your comments can be as long as Jim Bayless, who spent months chronicling 100 plus years of Longhorn Tennis history for the TLSN website. Or your story can be one to three sentences.

Coach Pibulvech

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

Coach Fred Akers

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

Fred Akers, Eddie Gilbert, Steve Ross, and looking back but moving forward

Christmas 2008 Looking Back Moving Forward

Writing the newsletters has been part of a learning curve with no drone view from above warning us of pending obstacles. We had to climb each hill to see what was on the other side.

Our mission is not nearly complete, but as we look back, we can see forward. The TLSN website and newsletter in marketing terms has grown from 19,374 impressions in 2016 to 209,198 in 2020.

2020 Looking back

Of the 209,198 TLSN impressions here are the top 10 links for 2020

https://texas-lsn.squarespace.com/administration

Jenna McEachern (squarespace.com) (podcast)

TLSN has granted approximately $15,000 each to a volleyball player whose son has Leukemia, a football player with oral cancer, and a football player in a wheelchair for life.

We are open to suggestions on how to communicate with them.

My email address is williamdale@msn.com

Tyres

Tyres

A thousand words won’t bring you back;

I know because I’ve tried.

Neither will a thousand tears;

I know because I’ve cried.

Kily Dunbar

A celebration of Coach Akers life is now permanently saved at Coach Fred Akers (squarespace.com)

TLSN has set up a site to honor and celebrate Longhorn student-athletes, managers, coaches, and trainers who have passed away in 2020.

If you know of someone I missed, please email me at Williamdale@msn.com, and he or she will be remembered and celebrated on the website.

Please visit the link below that starts with a celebration of T. Jones life

Steve Ross interviews Coach Aker’s in the photo above.

Steve Ross, a T.V. personality and media leader during the Akers years, words of wisdom about looking backward before moving forward are poignant.

In 2019 the 1969 Longhorn football team celebrated the 50th anniversary of the National Championship team. While I did not attend the reunion, I was there in spirit with emotions reflective of a 70-year-old man trying to remain relevant in a youth-based society.

Steve Ross Responded to my comments:

Interesting topic Billy, one that I have pondered over the years. College football has spent most of its lifetime as a regional sport. In that, you can be a college football fan, but the history and memories that drive alumni and fans back to the stands year after year are regionally based.

My answer to your question is this. What separates the elite (Texas, Alabama, USC, Michigan, Ohio State, O.U., and a few others) is the history and the championships. They produced generations of dedicated fans who pass that dedication down to future generations.

Anyway, my answer would be that you would value the championship team’s contribution 50 years later because it helped build heritage and history that makes the program so attractive to many casual fans today.

Steve Ross

Steve Ross is right!! Looking back at achievements not only honors the past but shapes the present and empowers the future.

My ring is back on my finger where it belongs. .

Emory Bellard’s National Championship ring.

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

Status of Coach Fred Akers

Coach Akers

Texas Legacy Support Network is passing along a Facebook Document to each of you.

“My name is Diane Akers, wife and loved one of Coach Fred Akers and I need help for myself, my husband, children, grandchildren and countless others.”

Coach Akers story is at https://texas-lsn.squarespace.com/fredakers-and-dianeakers

TLSN is an independent organization celebrating Longhorn Sports History and assisting qualifying Horns needing temporary financial assistance. TLSN is not associated with the UT Athletics Department or any organization closely aligned with UT.

Arlis Parkhurst , Diane Akers, John Carsey (basketball), and Billy Dale

Horns UP!!!

1958 Longhorn Football Captain Arlis Parkhurst has passed away. A celebration of his life is at https://texas-lsn.squarespace.com/arlis-parkhurst

There are updates on Diane Akers request for political action to help family members visit loved ones in memory care units. Dena Reneau also shares her story about here husband Joe Reneau. https://texas-lsn.squarespace.com/fredakers-and-dianeakers

Longhorn sports history is best told by those who created it. As of August 15, 2020, 6 former Longhorn student-athletes have agreed to share their special memories via podcast.

First up is John Carsey, who played for Abe Lemons during a crucial period in Longhorn basketball history-1975, 1976, 1977,1978.