By Lewis of Orange H.C.R. No. 286
77R16128 WMS-D
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
1-1 WHEREAS, Darrell K Royal is among the most successful and
1-2 admired sports figures in the history of the Lone Star State, and
1-3 it is truly a pleasure to commend him on his many accomplishments;
1-4 and
1-5 WHEREAS, A native of Hollis, Oklahoma, he demonstrated a rare
1-6 talent for football in high school and went on to earn All-American
1-7 honors as a quarterback at the University of Oklahoma; and
1-8 WHEREAS, After handling the coaching duties at Mississippi
1-9 State and the University of Washington, Coach Royal came to The
1-10 University of Texas in December of 1956 and had an immediate impact
1-11 on the football program, taking a team which had struggled to a 1-9
1-12 record the year before his arrival to a Sugar Bowl berth in his
1-13 inaugural season; and
1-14 WHEREAS, The Longhorns quickly rose to national prominence
1-15 under Coach Royal's superb leadership and remained there throughout
1-16 his two decades as head football coach, winning three national
1-17 championships and 11 Southwest Conference titles and making 16 bowl
1-18 appearances; and
1-19 WHEREAS, Coach Royal's exceptional ability as a motivator was
1-20 complemented by his use of innovative offensive formations; after
1-21 implementing the famous "wishbone" attack in 1968, the Longhorns
1-22 reeled off 30 straight victories, and he also pioneered the
1-23 "flip-flop" to the winged-T; and
1-24 WHEREAS, In addition to emphasizing excellence on the field,
2-1 he also fostered academic achievement for his players by employing
2-2 the first full-time college academic counselor; and
2-3 WHEREAS, During his tenure as head coach of the burnt orange
2-4 and white, Coach Royal compiled a record of 167-47-5, the best mark
2-5 in the nation over that time span; he also served the university as
2-6 athletics director from 1962 to 1980 and as a special assistant on
2-7 athletic programs to the university president, and in honor of his
2-8 contributions to the institution the football stadium was renamed
2-9 Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in 1996; and
2-10 WHEREAS, One of the most respected men in his profession,
2-11 Coach Royal was twice named Coach of the Year by the AFCA, garnered
2-12 that distinction three times from the Football Writers of America,
2-13 and was chosen 1960s Coach of the Decade by ABC-TV; further, he has
2-14 been inducted into the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame,
2-15 the Texas and Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame, the Longhorn Hall of
2-16 Honor, and the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame; and
2-17 WHEREAS, Coach Royal was also tabbed as Southwesterner of the
2-18 Year four times, earned the prestigious Horatio Alger Award, and
2-19 was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 2000; and
2-20 WHEREAS, An active force for positive change in his
2-21 community, Coach Royal, as cosponsor of the Ben-Willie-Darrell golf
2-22 tournament, has helped raise over $2 million for East Austin youth;
2-23 and
2-24 WHEREAS, The University of Texas has long been among the most
2-25 successful schools in the field of intercollegiate athletics; many
2-26 significant chapters in the institution's storied history of sports
2-27 excellence are attributable to the efforts of Darrell Royal and it
3-1 is indeed appropriate that this football legend receive special
3-2 legislative recognition at this time; now, therefore, be it
3-3 RESOLVED, That the 77th Legislature of the State of Texas
3-4 hereby honor Darrell K Royal on his remarkable legacy of athletic
3-5 achievement and extend to him best wishes for continued success and
3-6 happiness; and, be it further
3-7 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-8 prepared for Coach Royal as an expression of high regard by the
3-9 Texas House of Representatives and Senate.