Bust for 4 National Championship quarterbacks
The Longhorns’ Holy Grail search to define the best in Sports began two years before the civil war.
Two years before the Civil War, the Legislature established the University of Texas “to place within reach of our people, whether rich or poor,….a thorough education.” To fund the University, the Legislature in the mid-1800s gave UT 2,108,966 acres of “worthless” land in West Texas. The New York investors who first drilled on this land were so skeptical they named the project Santa Rita after the Saint of the Impossible. On May 28, 1923, Santa Rita blew in.
By 1883 the media defined Longhorn sports with a humorous comment that lives on today, chronicled by the TLSN website. https://texaslsn.org
“Thus, the Horns began to pursue shimmering excellence by scattering the mediocre teams while searching for the Holy grail that defined the best in sports. Noble goals were set in our better moments to be perfect and have it all good and right, but we lost sight and instead smashed things on our way, making memories.”
In 2022 and beyond, it is time for the Longhorn Nation and Longhorn football to “tear down this decrepit wall,” of mediocrity and average football and rebuild it with a winning program. Longhorns, once again, must choose to smash things on the football field making new memories of greatness.
Wikipedia states this about Longhorn football.
Four times officially accepted by Texas and the NCAA (1963, 1969, 1970, 2005),
five times recognized by the NCAA but not claimed by UT (1914, 1941, 1968, 1977, and 1981),
six times recognized as National Champion by some national rating services but not recognized by Texas or the NCAA ( 1918, 1930, 1945, 1947, 1950, and 2008).
National Championship teams require good recruiting, a competent coaching staff, players with faith in the system, trust in and respect for teammates, talent, team chemistry, a strong work ethic, and a little luck. Not listed in the Wikipedia list but worthy of celebration are the 1961, 1964, 1972, 1977, 1983, 2004, and 2009 Longhorn football teams that, with a little luck, are National Champions.
Before the Alabama game on September 9, 2022, two separate events celebrated the greatness of Longhorn football.
The First event celebrated 1963, 1969, 1970, and 2005 National Championship teams; the second event was a reunion of National Championship contenders from 1972 through 1983.
A photo montage of The Unveiling follows
END OF STORY
National Championship teams require good recruiting, a competent coaching staff, players with faith in the system, trust in and respect for teammates, combined with talent, team chemistry, a strong work ethic, and a little luck. Several teams from 1972-1983 had all the ingredients for a National championship except a “little luck.”
On September 9th, 2022, many of these athletes who played for Coach Akers spent an evening together celebrating friendships, memories, and bonds and earned respect.
Mrs. Coach Akers and her Team
Front Row (l-r) Kevin Epps, Randy McEachern?, Ervin Davis, Diane Akers, Doug Shankle, William Graham, Leroy Thomas, Adrian Price,and Johnny (Ham) Jones.
Back Row (l-r) Mike Hatchett, Dwight Jefferson, Lawrence Sampleton, Bill Heathcock, Doug English, John Haynes, Eric Holle, Mike Chapman, Ronnie Robinson and Adam Schreiber
End of Montage
END OF MONTAGE
On 11-02-2021, Jimmy and Billy’s Most Excellent Adventure delivered the 4 QB busts to the granite Foundry in ColdSpring, Minnesota.
Jimmy Nixon talks about the inspiration for the 4 bust of the National Championship quarterbacks in the podcast link below.
Below is the link to Chris Doelle’s interview of Jimmy Nixon and Ken Bjorge’s creation of the 4 national championship quarterbacks’ busts and pedestals. Enjoy the photo montage of Duke Carlisle, James Street, Eddie Phillips, and Vince Young’s journey to entering DKR’s stadium permanently. The bust will be housed in the South End Zone.
November 2, 2021, to November 5, 2021 – A journey celebrating Longhorn football history thru the eyes of 4 National Championship quarterbacks.
The History of the Longhorn Quarterback bust Project.
THE ROAD TO COMPLETION, from conception in 2019 to completion on September 9th, 2022, WAS FULL OF roadblocks. BUT jIMMY NIXON AND pAT fROST, COMBINED WITH THE INSPIRATIONAL WORK OF kEN bJORGE, OVERCAME ALL OBSTACLES.
JULY 17, 2021
Billy,
You can announce that QB busts are fully funded!
Unveiling, probably at the Alabama game in 2022.
Sincere thanks to all the Longhorn faithful who made this possible.
From Jimmy Nixon:
As fans, I know we all appreciate the large donors, but on this project, I wanted to offer the fan base an opportunity to be part of a legacy. For a donation of $250, your name (or the name of a loved one) will be forever a part of Longhorn football history.
As Of 7/17/2021 The Longhorn Quarterback Busts Project Was Completely Funded.
Below Is The Process Jimmy Nixon And Pat Frost Used To raise money to Fund The Quarterback Project.
**** note ****Jimmy and pat are No Longer Seeking Donations. Below Is The Historical Process Of Raising Money Only. *******note********
Don’t Send Donations!!!!!
Four accounts were set up at Frost Bank. Below was the letter explaining the donation process.
Pat Frost
Donations should be made out payable to one of the following: (1) “Nonspecific statue” (Funds will be used where needed) (2) “Duke Carlisle” statue (3) “Eddie Phillips” statue (4) “Vince Young” statue. Donations should be sent to Pat Frost at Frost National Bank P. O. Drawer 1600 San Antonio, TX 78296. If you donate $250, please specify the individual or family name you want to be engraved on the pillar, and make sure you send Pat Frost either your physical address or email address so we can contact you with tax write-off information or inquiries if necessary.
Vince Young
The video of the 2005 Rose Bowl is below. Enjoy!
1970 Texas – UCLA no voice to video- looking for a film with video. Eddie’s pass to Cotton in the UCLA game is at the 2:26 mark.
May 11, 2021 – A letter to Pat Frost from Jay Arnold about Eddie Phillips
Duke Carlisle
Video of the 1964 Cotton Bowl is below.
James Street
Video of 1970 Cotton Bowl is below (the images get better once the game starts)
Podcaster Chris Doelle
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