1977-78 John Carsey basketball walk-on

As a walk-on in 1975, John Carsey was the leading scorer on the last freshman team at UT. The next year there was a regime change at Texas. Coaching transitions are stressful for both players and coaches, and after Coach Black resigned and Abe Lemons was hired, the team was in serious flux.

This was not a good scenario for a walk-on trying to make the UT varsity basketball team. John’s worse fears were realized after try-outs. No walk-ons made the team.

SEIZE THE MOMENT

However, all was not right in Coach Lemon’s world. By the end of the season, Lemons’ coaching style resulted in some player defections. The coach was down to nine players and could not field a team for practice. John says, “I was walking through Gregory Gym on my way to class and was approached by Barry Dowd, who asked if I was in shape and would have any interest in joining the team?” “Of course,” I replied, and I was given a uniform and suited up that afternoon.” John continues with his story, “As I recall, the only competition left that season was the SWC tournament, and I suited up for the first-round game against SMU, which we lost.”

Unsure of his status after the season was over, John worked out hard all summer. No one from Lemon’s office called him that summer, so when he returned to Texas in the Fall, he assumed Lemons was not interested in his services.

LUCK FOLLOWS THOSE WHO TRY THE HARDEST.

One day John was shooting some hoops in Gregory Gym when Coach Dowd hollered across the floor, “Carsey, where have you been? You’re late for practice!” John says, “That’s how I found out that I was, in fact, on the team.”

John did more than make the team. He lettered in the 1978-79 season. John shares that “it was an experience I wouldn’t trade for anything.”

Horns up for John Carsey