CSB - Coach Royal

[msucolt45 3998]

I posted a couple thing in the Watch Fanatics thread, but thought I’d share some info here. My Dad played under Coach Royal from ‘60 to ‘63. He never started a single game, offense or defense, during his four years for UT. Back then most everyone played both ways, but he saw his time on special teams, like KO kick/returns and punts etc.

 

To “letter” back then one had to actually participate in an offense/defense snap or play. It wasn’t until the tail end of the ‘63 season/‘64 Cotton Bowl that my Dad actually played a position on the field! Four years of practicing with others and never participating during the game for an offensive/defensive snap on the field.

 

Every day during his tenure he was on the “scout team” at practice. During his Freshman year to help assist on his “scholarship” tuition money, he waited tables in the athletic dining hall. Imagine practicing with people then hurrying your ass up to get clean, so you can serve those you just practiced with!

 

He suffered almost 50 stitches, mostly to his face/head during his tenure on the 40 acres. Yes - they had face masks back then. He was just the end result of Coach Royal’s practices back then.

 

Coach Royal sent him “in” to play guard with about three minutes left playing Navy his Senior year. It was a position he’d never played, but just to get him on the field for a “snap” or two+.

 

When they had their 40th Reunion (63 National Championship) the night before playing against Arkansas in 2003, they had a banquet for both Arkansas and Texas players with both Coach Royal and Coach Frank Broyals attending. My Dad was asked to be one of three UT players to speak on their behalf.

 

Coach Royal actually attended my parents wedding in 1967.

[FORTY NINE TO ZERO 2630]

Really cool story, bro. 
 

seriously. Thanks for sharing. I love reading stuff like this. 

[msucolt45 3998]

My Dad is on the front-left of the JumboTron, from the 50th Anniversary of the ‘63 team prior to playing New Mexico State (2013 opener). He’s wearing white pants.

[NorthLoop 14093]

Your dad was offsides against Georgia Tech. 

[msucolt45 3998]

It was the “Arkansas Week” that jogged my memory for all of this! Really didn’t want to create a “thread”, but IMO my Dad was “Rudy” before there ever was a Rudy!

To this day he’ll never “talk” about his days on the 40, but to express how glad Coach Royal gave him an opportunity and to get his degree from UT! Another CSB he spoke at Coach Royal’s funeral, representing the ‘63 Team.

[msucolt45 3998]

Coach Royal told me (during the early 80s), if he’d have 40+ of my Dad, he’d never lose a game! This was roughly ten years into his retirement, but was definitely banked into the mind of a youth! From that day forward, I always saw my Dad in a different light.

[Hairy Biped 584]

This is a really, really cool thread.  Thanks for sharing it msucolt45.

[runthebone 7932]

As FYPM MBTF would say, that is a neat story.

 

(It actually is.)

[mininghorn88 2263]

For your dad to be the “spokesperson” for the team, despite not being a better known player, speaks volumes about the character of your dad.

I know that you are proud of him. I would be too.

Hookem!

[Sgt Hulk 13648]

Wanted to make several Rudy jokes but couldn’t. These stories are awesome to hear. A far cry from the players of today. Thanks for sharing these stories and hopefully you have many others to carry on and pass down so they don’t vanish with time.  

[SHOOTER12 8789]

12 hours ago, msucolt45 said:

 

I posted a couple thing in the Watch Fanatics thread, but thought I’d share some info here. My Dad played under Coach Royal from ‘60 to ‘63. He never started a single game, offense or defense, during his four years for UT. Back then most everyone played both ways, but he saw his time on special teams, like KO kick/returns and punts etc.

 

To “letter” back then one had to actually participate in an offense/defense snap or play. It wasn’t until the tail end of the ‘63 season/‘64 Cotton Bowl that my Dad actually played a position on the field! Four years of practicing with others and never participating during the game for an offensive/defensive snap on the field.

 

Every day during his tenure he was on the “scout team” at practice. During his Freshman year to help assist on his “scholarship” tuition money, he waited tables in the athletic dining hall. Imagine practicing with people then hurrying your ass up to get clean, so you can serve those you just practiced with!

 

He suffered almost 50 stitches, mostly to his face/head during his tenure on the 40 acres. Yes - they had face masks back then. He was just the end result of Coach Royal’s practices back then.

 

Coach Royal sent him “in” to play guard with about three minutes left playing Navy his Senior year. It was a position he’d never played, but just to get him on the field for a “snap” or two+.

 

When they had their 40th Reunion (63 National Championship) the night before playing against Arkansas in 2003, they had a banquet for both Arkansas and Texas players with both Coach Royal and Coach Frank Broyals attending. My Dad was asked to be one of three UT players to speak on their behalf.

 

Coach Royal actually attended my parents wedding in 1967.

 

Was your dads name Rudy?

Just kidding of course, but thank you for a very bad ass story.

Edited September 9, 2021 by SHOOTER12

[Bozo_Casanova 26284]

That really is a cool story bro. Thanks for sharing. 

[Dennis Taylor 18706]

CSB indeed! Hook 'em

[TrashMaster G 17391]

Thanks for sharing. 🤘

Edited September 9, 2021 by TrashMaster G

[Armybrat 40744]

Loved your story, and I was there as a student to see your dad play. Those certainly were heady days forLonghorn football.

Hook’em for your dad.,. Still have my ticket stub from the ‘64 Cotton Bowl:

 

 

[orange dream 1241]

Uncle Sam gouged you on that ticket Brat.

That's awesome, both the OP's story and this ticket stub.

[lilMAC25 3778]

On 9/8/2021 at 9:23 PM, msucolt45 said:

 

I posted a couple thing in the Watch Fanatics thread, but thought I’d share some info here. My Dad played under Coach Royal from ‘60 to ‘63. He never started a single game, offense or defense, during his four years for UT. Back then most everyone played both ways, but he saw his time on special teams, like KO kick/returns and punts etc.

 

To “letter” back then one had to actually participate in an offense/defense snap or play. It wasn’t until the tail end of the ‘63 season/‘64 Cotton Bowl that my Dad actually played a position on the field! Four years of practicing with others and never participating during the game for an offensive/defensive snap on the field.

 

Every day during his tenure he was on the “scout team” at practice. During his Freshman year to help assist on his “scholarship” tuition money, he waited tables in the athletic dining hall. Imagine practicing with people then hurrying your ass up to get clean, so you can serve those you just practiced with!

 

He suffered almost 50 stitches, mostly to his face/head during his tenure on the 40 acres. Yes - they had face masks back then. He was just the end result of Coach Royal’s practices back then.

 

Coach Royal sent him “in” to play guard with about three minutes left playing Navy his Senior year. It was a position he’d never played, but just to get him on the field for a “snap” or two+.

 

When they had their 40th Reunion (63 National Championship) the night before playing against Arkansas in 2003, they had a banquet for both Arkansas and Texas players with both Coach Royal and Coach Frank Broyals attending. My Dad was asked to be one of three UT players to speak on their behalf.

 

Coach Royal actually attended my parents wedding in 1967.

 

Great story