YOUR CONNECTION TO UT INTRAMURALS

Vol. 10, No.1 Fall/Winter 2010

EDUCATION THROUGH RECREATIONTHE RECREATIONAL SPORTS CENTER: THE HOUSE THAT STUDENTS BUILT

F E A T U R E A R T I C L E

From the Director

Go to www.utrecsports.org/whereareyou to let us know what you’re up to or drop by Gregory Gym the next time you’re in Austin.

WELCOME

Dear Friends: The beginning of a new academic year is unlike any other time on campus. New faces, revitalized energy and increased excitement are all seen and felt across the Forty Acres. This year marks Recreational Sports’ 94th year on the UT campus and we, too, are filled with much enthusiasm. We start the year reflecting on many successes recently realized including an 85 percent participation rate of today’s students, the awarding of 12 student employee scholarships and the recent visit to Gregory Gym by the President of the United States.

This edition features the Recreational Sports Center (RSC), which will celebrate its 20th anniversary in October. The story describes how students partnered with RecSports to build a new recreational facility, the first student funded facility ever built on the UT campus. Considered one of the watershed moments in the history of RecSports, this project could not have been completed without student leadership and involvement. Read inside how this historic event ultimately led to the renovation of Gregory Gym and the construction of the Gregory Gym Aquatic Complex.

Although celebrating the success of these milestone accomplishments represents an exciting chapter in our history, we are also mindful that there are many challenges that lie before us, most especially the changing economic land-scape. The entire University has experienced budget issues this year and is expected to face further reductions in the next biennium. These reductions directly affect the students at UT and are a serious concern to all of us. While RecSports is committed to serving the students, we can no longer do it alone. These challenging economic times will compel us to reach out even more to our friends for support so that we can continue to contribute to the educational process of today’s Longhorns.

Despite these tough economic times, we have good news concerning the support of our friends and alumni. As I noted above, RecSports awarded 12 scholarships to deserving student employees this past August, and the Gregory Gym paver project and Intramural Endowment campaign have been well received. Learn about these and other initiatives inside.

Once again, thank you for being a “friend of RecSports.” Please stay in touch, continue to share your memories and drop by for a visit and tour if you’re ever on campus. It’s always a pleasure to see old friends and meet new ones.

Best wishes,

Thomas W. DisonAssociate Vice President and Director

Cover (clockwise from top, center):

RSC opens: 1989

ΛΧΑ vs. KA, IM basketball: 1969

Intramural medal: circa 1919

Women’s IM flag football: 1970s

Daily Texan sports article: 1966

“This year marks Recreational Sports’ 94th year on the UT campus and we, too, are filled with much enthusiasm.”

Intramurals – Indoor SoccerWith the opening of the Recreational Sports Center (RSC) in 1990, a new space became available for a very popular sport- indoor soccer. Thirty-two teams entered the first year and the tournament quickly grew to 137 men, women and coed teams in the span of 10 years. Today’s indoor soccer tournaments fill to capacity and attract a loyal following from both the international community and those who have grown up playing soccer.

Outdoor Adventures – Guide School Ten UT students enrolled in the spring 2010 course and completed the comprehensive outdoor leadership curriculum offered by the RecSports Wilderness Leadership Training Program. Attendees developed competencies in backcountry travel preparation, group facilitation, risk assessment, judgment and decision-making, tolerance for adversity and uncertainty, and minimum impact skills. Upon completion of the training, the group took a six-day, five-night expedition to Big Bend National Park.

Fitness/Wellness – Certified Personal Training Students and faculty/staff members can take the guesswork out of exercising and maximize their performance with the help of a RecSports Certified Personal Trainer. In addition to one-on-one Personal Training, RecSports offers two other popular options— Buddy Training and Small Group Training.

Sport Clubs–CyclingTexas Cycling, founded in 1978, is a registered student organization and a competitive sports club. The men’s and women’s competitive teams consist of riders of all skill levels—beginner to semi-professional. The team competes in the National Collegiate Cycling Association and the United States Cycling Federation in the disciplines of road, mountain biking, track and cyclocross. To learn more about Texas Cycling please visit the club’s Web site at www.texascycling.org.

Special Events & Programs–Youth Sport CampsThe UT RecSports Youth Camp Program has been providing personal, expert instruction to Austin youth since 1980. The program consists of three sports–soccer for boys and girls ages 5–10, and lacrosse and ultimate disc for boys and girls ages 8–17. Camps are held at Whitaker Fields each June. For more information, please visit www.utrecsports.org/- youthcamps.

More Than RecSportsOn Aug. 9, 2010, President Barack Obama took to the stage in Gregory Gym to discuss higher education and the need to become more globally competitive. Greeted by loud cheers from over 3,500 students, faculty and guests, his speech underscored his commitment to higher education. “The way to move forward is to put education first,” he said. “Education and opportunity always go hand in hand.”

SPOTLIGHT

The RSC Celebrates its 20th AnniversaryTwenty years ago, on Oct. 11, 1990, the Recreational Sports Center (RSC) opened its doors for students, faculty and staff of The Univer-sity of Texas at Austin. This facility–the first ever student funded facility on the UT campus–was designed to be more than a gym and was built to reflect the changing direction of collegiate recreational sports in America. The late Betty A. Thompson–then director of RecS-ports–said, “This new facility has been designed not to look like a gym out of the 1930s but to create an appealing ambience and feeling of spaciousness and warmth.” The establishment of the RSC was more than 30 years in the making and its opening represents one of the most important watershed moments in the history of the Division of Recreational Sports.

BackgroundFor some 60 years, the indoor recreational needs of UT students were met by three shared facilities: Gregory Gym, built in 1930 and expanded in 1962; Anna Hiss Gym, or the old “women’s gym” built in 1931; and Bellmont Hall, the support structure for the expansion of Memorial Stadium built in 1974. In 1977, as part of a master plan for RecSports, the need for a new recreation facility and the renovation of Gregory Gym were first proposed. A revised plan conducted in 1980 echoed this need, but it was not until 1984 that an officially sanctioned needs-assessment was conducted regarding the adequacy of existing recreational facilities on the UT campus. The study showed that existing facilities would not be capable of satisfactorily handling current, let alone future, recreational participation rates.

Students Pass ReferendumIn January 1985, the Recreational Sports Committee drafted a plan that recommended an on-campus site for a new facility and that a student fee be created to fund this new recreation facility. The committee further proposed that students organize and conduct an educational campaign supporting this student funded project. Led by Student Body President Rodney Schlosser and a group known as S.I.R.F. (Students for Intramural/Recreation Facilities, chaired by student Quart Graves), a successful campaign around the slogan “It Can’t Happen Without You” ran prior to the March 1985 elections. Students voted 68 percent to 32 percent in favor of the referendum that stated: “I support the creation of a $20/semester Intramural/Recreational Sports Facilities Fee to fund construction costs for new Student Intramural/Recre-ational Sports Facilities.” The significance of the passing of this first referendum cannot be overstated. In 1994 students again voted to tax themselves to renovate Gregory Gym and, in 1999, they passed a third referendum to pay for the addition of an outdoor pool complex. Over a span of 14 years UT students stepped up and committed over $50 million in student fee money to fund recreational facility projects.

Design/Development to GroundbreakingWith the student body voicing its approval for a student funded recreation facility, the Texas Legislature, with a little urging from Rodney Schlosser, passed the legislation for a fee in May 1985. The Board of Regents approved a project analysis of the facility in August 1985 and authorized revenue bonds issued against the recreational sports fee to provide funding. Construction began in July 1988 and the RSC opened during the fall of 1990.

More Than a GymThe RSC quickly earned a reputation, both within the state of Texas and nationally, as a trendsetting facility because of the creative, new way it was funded and perhaps, more importantly, because it was designed to be much more than a gym. The visionary leaders that spearheaded its development designed a new type of recreational facility , one that served as a destination gathering place and a center for community–building and social interaction. The RSC’s creators envisioned a facility that would provide students with a home away from home atmosphere and a late-night destination for relaxing, working out and studying. So instead of a sterile, utilitarian facility, associated with most campus gymnasia of that day, the Recreational Sports Center’s natural light, air conditioning and music all contributed to the facility’s welcoming ambience. And for the first time ever, a recreational facility on the UT campus, with its 34,000 square foot gymnasium that could be converted to tiered-seating for up to 2,000 spectators, was able to serve as the venue for many different types of special events, including convocations and lectures. Undoubtedly, the RSC’s innovative design helped to shape the future of recreational facilities that have since become a staple on many college campuses with their vast expanses of glass, comfortable furnishings, eye-pleasing colors, vibrant artwork, living plants and elaborate sound systems.

The House that Students BuiltThe Recreational Sports Center Turns Twenty

LOOKING BACK

The Impact of the Recreational Sports CenterWith the opening of the RSC, dedicated space for informal recreation became available and this new concept became a major focus of the Division of Recreational Sports. As a result, participation rates reached an all-time high in 1992 with 81 percent of the students participating in Recreational Sports. And, for the first time, sport clubs such as volley- ball, martial arts, the dance team and wrestling, all benefited from the additional space. The aerobics program, which would later become the Fitness/Wellness Program, was able to expand dramatically with the addition of the two 4,200 square foot rooms designed specifically for this activity. The intramural program added a new sport–indoor soccer–and used the RSC for table tennis, racquetball and wallyball tournaments. In addition, some 100 new student positions were added to the RecSports payroll. Although the RSC was designed to accom-modate the growing recreational needs and interests of the active UT student body, its effect campus wide was very significant. The facility became a primary venue for all types of public functions including banquets, lectures, convocations and dozens of University-sponsored events. Student-sponsored events, such as the New International Student Luncheon and the Filipino Student Association’s dance workshop, as well as Women’s Intercollegiate Volleyball, occupied the RSC year-round. Most recently, in 2008, the RSC hosted CNN’s Democratic Presidential Primary Debate between Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. Twenty years later, the “house that stu-dents built” has proven to be a very important addition to the campus facility inventory and continues to serve UT students, the University and outside groups on a daily basis.

The Recreational Sports Center TodayOver the years, the RSC has kept up with the changing interests of the student population with the addition of the latest cardio equipment, group cycling classes and a personal training studio. Squash courts have been added to the original design and the latest technology meets the needs of today’s WiFi generation. It continues to serve campus departments, student groups and outside agencies as a primary venue for special events. Without question, this “watershed moment” in the history of RecSports that resulted from the vision, determination and leadership demonstrated by students over 20 years ago, will have a lasting impact on future generations of Longhorns.

Rodney Schlosser ’85, student government president in 1984–85, remembers, “All we heard about RecSports was ‘we want more, more, more!’ Even though students were enamored with RecSports it was remarkable that those students–my peers–had the foresight to vote for a $20 per semester fee to build a $12.5 million building

that they would not even see but would serve future generations of Longhorns. We knew students would support this new facility which Betty, Tom and their staff could turn into reality.”

The House that Students BuiltThe Recreational Sports Center Turns Twenty

Key Supporters Students for Intramural/Recreation

Facilities (S.I.R.F.) Steering CommitteeQuart Graves, Chair

Karen GilbertRonald Hecht

Laura MafridgeDavid Phillips

Rodney SchlosserWendy Smith

Betty A. ThompsonDirector of the Division of Recreational SportsMs. Thompson is credited with achieving two of the most important watershed

moments in the history of RecSports: the formation of the Division of Recreational Sports in the early 70s and the passing of the 1985 student referendum creating a student fee to build the RSC. Ms. Thompson was featured in the Fall 2004 edition of this newsletter.

1984-85 RecSports Committee

John Weinstock, ChairJohnny R. ButlerMary E. DuffyJoyce J. ElamDiane Friday

Kenneth J. HaleShannon Janes

Rodney Schlosser

Project Analysis Committee Betty A. Thompson, Chair

Frank D. BeanTom Dison

Shannon JanesLaura Mafridge

Mike Tomsu

Quart Graves ’83, ’86, former intramural weightlifting champion, offers, “Nothing I ever did at UT had more purpose and meaning. That project was going to define my legacy at UT and we all were willing to do anything it took to get it built. We knew is was needed and was the right thing to do even though we would never see it.”

LOOKING BACK

A Message from Joe Bill WatkinsChair, RecSports Leadership Team

As the Campaign for Texas strives to reach its goal of raising $3 billion for the University, the Division of Recreational Sports has contributed to this effort with its own successes. Additional scholarships for student employees of RecSports have been established, bringing the total number of scholarships awarded in 2009–10 to 12. A new initiative to establish an Intramural Endowment has begun with a number of separate campaigns and the RecSports Excellence Fund has grown through the sale of the Gregory Gym pavers and digital Wall of Fame prints. Read more about each of these initiatives in this publication.

I speak for the entire Leadership Team when I say that your involvement and support of this 93-year old program truly affects today’s students and certainly contributes to the University’s mission of “transforming lives for the benefit of society.” I invite you to join us in our efforts to support a program that you and I enjoyed so much.

Best Wishes from the 40 Acres,

—Joe Bill Watkins ’65, ’68

The Bob Childress Golf ClassicThis past May 14, the Division of Recreational Sports sponsored the first annual Bob Childress Golf Classic benefiting the RecSports Excellence Fund. Bob, who is starting his 39th year with RecSports this fall, began as a graduate assistant in 1973 and soon thereafter coordinated the Intramural Sports Program until 2001. Under his direction, the Friends of RecSports initiative started in 2001 and today he works under the title of Development & Campus Relations Coordinator. A fine turnout of golfers enjoyed the food and festivities despite the rain-shortened tournament. “This tournament wasn’t my idea,” Bob says. “I’m just happy it was named the Bob Childress Classic instead of the BC Memorial. It was great to see old friends like Mark Baletka, Bill McMeans, Mike Wasson and Andy and Bruce Garcia,” Bob reflects. “I also appreciated the support of many of the young professionals who came through UT like Jerrod Jackson, Brian Mills, Stephanie Thompson,” he notes. Plan to play in next year’s Bob Childress Golf Classic on May 13, 2011.

The Intramural Endowment InitiativeWith the current economic climate at the University demanding that alternative means of raising revenue be found or current services be reduced or eliminated, the Intramural Sports Program is at a cross-roads. With current teams paying a $100 entry fee to play intramural team sports, an initiative to establish an endowment to help offset these costs has been launched. Multiple campaigns have begun to fund this endowment, which has passed the $25,000 mark to date. Oak Grove alumni have contributed over $10,000 to this effort while many other organizations or groups are in progress. The Delta Upsilon Fraternity already has a lead gift of $2,500 dedicated to their campaign for this initiative. A Women in Intramurals campaign, led by two Leadership Team members, Ann (Vandivier) Brodnax and Linda

(McCalla) Williams, has targeted women who had a positive experience playing intramurals. The Intramural Managers, led by Leadership Team member and ex-Senior Intramural Manager Gordon Appleman, is an ongoing success. Both groups have contributed significantly. We thank these groups and individuals in our efforts to reach $500,000 by 2016.

Donations to this fund can be made individually or by groups or organizations. For more information about starting a campaign for your group please contact Bob Childress at 512-475-7180 or bobc@mail.utexas.edu.

DEVELOPMENT

RecSports ScholarshipsThis past August, 12 student employees of RecSports received a scholarship check for their outstanding work and contributions to RecSports. Read about each award winner online at http://www.-utrecsports.org/friends/initiatives/scholarships.php.

Thomas W. Dison Endowed Scholarship Ellen BrowneAbraham Na

Kenneth Ford Family Endowed Scholarship Courtney Krenek

Sylvie and Gary Crum Endowed Scholarship Danica Schmidt

Division of Recreational Sports Endowed Scholarship

Rhiannon Stracener

Mark L. Hart, Jr. Endowed Scholarship Marisa Cantu

Carlos Rodriguez

Charles & Carolyn Spence, James & Kathryn (Spence) Nance,

& William (Spence) & Edith Nance Endowment in honor of Michael Monsoor

Andrew Stalford

Delta Tau Delta Endowed Scholarship Colby Lowrey

Acacia Fraternity Endowed Scholarship Michael Deutsch

Phi Gamma Delta Endowed Scholarship Kyle St. Nicholas

Bill Patman Endowed Scholarship Zachary Russell

Gregory Gym PaversCommemorate a victorious season. Remember a loved one. Reward yourself. Any of these ideas and more are possible through the Gregory Gym paver project. Phase I is well underway but there are plenty of prime spots left. Each engraved paver will be installed at the entrance to Gregory Gym for all to see for years to come. The RecSports staff can work with you to design a paver layout to accommodate your group. All funds collected through this program will be directed to the Recreational Sports Excellence Fund to be used in the area of greatest need. For details, log on to www.utrecsports.org/friends or contact Bob Childress at 512-475-7180 or bobc@mail.utexas.edu.

Sample Pavers:

RICHARD BENDER

CHET BOORTZ

DAIN HIGDON

ALAN HUBBARD

DAN BLANKS

TOM HICKS

KEVIN HOLCOMB

CRAIG KNIGHT

LUCKY MILLER

LEWIS ROBERTS

LARRY SMITH

RICK WADSWORTH

DAN NICHOLSON

BRUCE SCHNITZER

DICK VERMILLION

GARY WILLCOX

SIGMA PHI EPSILON

UNIVERSITY CHAMPIONS

VOLLEYBALL 1966-67

ALL CLASSES

A • B • MULLET

LYNN (FOX) UTTER

LOVES UT

RECSPORTS

DEVELOPMENT

In the mid-1960s Lambda Chi committed to challenge such tradi-tional powerhouse fraternities as ΦΓΔ and ΔΤΔ for supremacy in the Intramural All-Year point system. Led by a motivated core of intramural managers, including Sam Goldfarb, Rennie Baker, Stephen Smith, Stan Wiedeman and Wayne Stewart, to name a few, and by fraternity leaders Paulie Gaido and Bill McGuire, Lambda Chi also aimed for 100 percent membership participation. As a result, the team won two first place trophies in four years and, if not for a track meet mishap, would have won three years in a row. Other highlights included three consecutive Class A basketball championships and A and B volleyball championships. Literally hundreds of men played a role in the ΛΧΑ success, including:

Robert (Rennie) Baker, Jr. ’70, tennis and volleyball champ, spent nine years in recreation and as a tennis pro at the River Oaks Country Club in Houston before entering the financial services industry in 1980. He is married to Margaret (Nappier) and has three children. “We were successful because we had 100 percent participation. If you did not play, you came to games because it was fun,” Rennie noted.

Steve Smith ’71, a manager for two years and All-Intramural volley-ball and softball player, said, “We went from dogs to simply focusing on 100 percent participation to the arrival of some talented athletes to the entire fraternity going for the total win.” Steve is the chief financial officer for Reilly Foods Co. in Baton Rouge, La.

Sam Goldfarb ’69, was instrumental in turning the fortunes around for Lambda Chi in the mid 60s, acting as a manager and also playing on the B championship volleyball and softball teams. Today, Sam is in the printing business in San Antonio and enjoys playing golf with his son.

William (Bill) McGuire ’70, (see sidebar on opposite page) an All-Intramural basketball and volleyball player, led Lambda Chi by word and by deed. Having led his high school basketball team to a state championship in Gregory Gym in 1965, Bill passed on D1 athletic scholarships in order to enter the Plan II program at UT. Following his intramural success, Bill attended medical school in Galveston, Texas. Dr. Maguire is best characterized as a pulmonologist, lepidopterist, philanthropist and health care executive. He is best known for his tenure as chairman and chief executive officer of UnitedHealth Group from 1991 to 2006. Bill and his wife, Nadine, live in Minnesota.

Ben Campbell ’71, and twin brother Robert ’71, formed part of the formidable front line of the ΛΧΑ basketball teams. Ben is an accountant in Austin while Robert retired in Austin.

Lambda Chi Alpha: Pursuit of Excellence

Jimmy May ’72, first team basketball three years in a row, played at Houston Waltrip before entering Wharton Junior College to play basketball. He transferred to UT, but with no scholarships available, joined Lambda Chi. Jimmy resides in Houston.

John Hurst ’71, two-time golf champion and volleyball A Champ, graduated from UT law school before changing careers. He is now a retired computer systems analyst for the State of Idaho. Married with two kids, he lives in Caldwell, Idaho, and still plays golf.

David Young ’66, ’67 (MBA), was an All-Around athlete for Lambda Chi finishing in the top 10 for individuals in both 1966 and 1967. He won the university table tennis championship in 1964 with Douglas Simmons ’65, ’74, and was runner-up in tennis singles and doubles. David earned his law degree in 1974 and

today still practices in Mason, Texas.

Wayne Stewart ’72, served as intramural chairman for a couple of years, participated in most sports and roomed with “Big Daddy” Mercer (see below). After a successful career with several technology companies, launching multiple businesses of his own and traveling extensively, he now serves as vice president of an

energy management company. He and his wife of 37 years, Dottie Coke Stewart, who was twice the fraternity sweetheart, plan on retiring to a family ranch where their two kids and five grandkids can enjoy outdoor activities.

Stan Wiedeman ’73, graduated with an engineering degree then attended Dallas Theological Seminary, earning a Master of Theology degree in New Testa-ment. He and his wife, Debbie, have raised seven children and have four grandkids. Stan lives in Morton Grove, Ill., and is pastor to a small church in Skokie.

He has begun officiating high school and college volleyball.

Larry “Big Daddy” Mercer ’71, only 5’10” but “country strong and quick,” had never wrestled before but beat the likes of Glenn Halsell, All-American UT linebacker in the heavyweight division. “He was a guy who wouldn’t hurt a fly,” says Wayne Stewart, “but when he wrestled, he not only won but also left a trail

of injured opponents behind him.” Larry has lived in Yoakum, Texas, for the last 30 years.

TEAM OF THE DECADE 1969–70 Class A

volleyball champions.

Front (L-R) :

Robert H. Baker, Jr.,

John L. Hurst,

Stephen J. Smith.

Back (L-R):

Keith H. Sowards,

J. Michael Mulholland,

William W. McGuire,

David J. Jones.

Henry (Skip) Opperman III ’69, member of the championship basketball and softball teams, remembers, “Our front line was so talented that the guards had to shoot when we brought the ball up because if it went inside, it never came back.” Skip is a senior product developer with BMC Software, Inc. in Houston.

Keith Sowards ’72, member of the 1968 A volleyball and basketball champs, has worked in the procurement and supply chain management field, primarily for the computer, telecom and oil and gas industries. Currently, he is the supply chain director for a start-up company in Houston.

Halil Firatli Medina’72, former member of the Turkish National Basketball and Track teams, as well as the Turkish record holder in the high jump and 110m hurdles, played volleyball, basketball and set a national intramural record in the high jump for Lambda Chi. He remembers, “The success of our fraternity was due

to a very close relationship among the brothers who had sports as a common denominator.” Halil, who lives in Marmaris, Turkey, is in the travel business and is a member of the Turkish National Olympic Committee.

Bob Coffee ’74, lives in Laguna Beach, Calif., with his wife, Ann Shirreff, and is a successful architect with offices in Newport Beach. “ I remain a devoted Long-horn fan, love the hot Texas summers and swimming in the cold springs, never get tired of barbecue and live music, and if all things work out, will move back to the

(Texas) Hill Country to retire in five to seven years,” he says.

Sam Stubbs ’72, ’74, Houston office managing partner for Pillsbury, Winthrop, Shaw, Pittman LLP, was the intramural manager for two years and played six sports per semester, which was the maximum number allowed.

Note: Any ΛΧΑ member on the Wall of Fame may contact Bob Childress for a commemorative T-shirt.

Bill McGuire, M.D. ’70 Reflections on Intramurals“The intramural program at The University of Texas provided an opportu-nity for individuals to

compete, both individually as well as a team, at an extraordinarily competitive level across a wide variety of sports. As a result, students were able to combine the important learnings and experiences of competitive athletics—such as personal dedication, focus, accountability, shared values and responsibility and the pursuit of excellence—with academic learning and social maturation-both of which are primary goals of the college experience. It was an extraordinary time, and it helped form important individual qualities and interpersonal relationships of enduring value. From an informed and retrospective view, it was very similar to that environment and set of experiences that were so well chronicled in the magnificent film “Chariots of Fire,” which depicted the reality of a much-heralded English liberal arts college in 1924, and from which emerged people of exceptional character, leadership and contribution across generations. One could ask for little more for such a formative period in our lives.”

Steve Winston ’73 (MBA), member of basketball and softball cham-pion teams, spent 18 years in commercial banking and today is the managing member of Southwest Turnaround Support Services, LLC. He and his wife of 37 years, Kristy, still live in Houston and have two adult children, Peyton (30) and Grant (27), both UT grads.

Ted Frank ’75, All-Intramural football player in 1972–73 and three-man summer basketball champ, owns a driving range in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex area and lives in Arlington, Texas.

1968–69 Class A basketball champions. Front (L-R): Henry C. Opperman III, Joe B. Wheeler, Steve A. Williams. Back (L-R): Robert B. Campbell, William Wayne McGuire, Benjamin J. Campbell, Richard N. Merrill, Jr.

TEAM OF THE DECADE

Rick Wadsworth ’70, whose business career has been primarily entre-preneurial, today lives in Alexandria, Va., with his wife of 38 years. He remembers the excitement in the Sig Ep house and on campus during the final days of the tournament and says, “Vermillion and Hicks were incredible leaders and organizers which showed clearly in their later achievements.” He says he still feels great pride in realizing, some 45 years later, that he was part of such an amazing team of intramural players. “It was fun and the campus bragging rights were great,” he said.

Tom Hicks ’69, built his fortune as an acquisitions and buyout specialist and has been one of the most high-profile figures in professional sports, most notably as the former owner of the Texas Rangers. Currently, he is the father of six children and he and his wife, Cinda, reside in Dallas.

Gary Willcox, an All-Intramural water basketball player in 1967–68, entered dental school in the fall of 1968. Following a three-year stint in Alaska with the Air Force, Gary returned to Austin where he and his wife, Patty, now live. Four children—two UT grads— make up the family.

Dan Blanks ’69, All-Intramural setter for the A team, worked in the investment management business worldwide from New York to Tokyo, London and Hong Kong, before returning to Dallas in 1997 and working for Tom Hicks. Dan is retired in Dallas with his wife, Charlotte, and their two dogs.

Dick Vermillion ’67, ’69, led the A team as a spiker having been named three times to the All-Intramural volleyball team. He was also a first team All-Intramural quarterback for ΣΦΕ. Dick is married to Janice Kathryn (Burrows) ’69, and has spent his career in banking and finance in Houston.

Dan Nicholson attended the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMD) and is a practicing general surgeon in Dallas. His son, Nick ’92, also a UTMD graduate, practices with his dad. Dan was named to the All-Intramural volleyball team in 1967–68.

Kevin Holcomb ’68, ’71, is a board certified attorney in estate planning and probate law for over 25 years with Graves, Dougherty, Hearon & Moody in Austin. Kevin was an All-Intramural spiker in 1966–67 and 1967–68.

Bruce Schnitzer ’66, ’67 (MBA), began his career at Morgan Guaranty Trust Co. before moving to Marsh & McLennan Inc., for eight years, first as the chief financial officer then as president and chief executive officer. Since 1985, Bruce has been a private equity investor and chairman of Wand Partners. He is married to Alexandra Champalimaud, a leading international interior designer, and has two daughters and two stepsons.

Rufus (Lucky) Miller ’66, retired 12 years ago after a long career teaching math and coaching basketball in the Aldine school district in the Houston area. Asked how they beat the Iranian team in the finals, he noted, “They were more skilled than us but we were better athletes.”

Dain Higdon ’69, a member of the B championship team and the A runners-up in 1967–68, is the founder and owner of The Texas Clothier, a fine men’s apparel store in Austin.

Lewis Roberts left UT and graduated from Baylor Dental School in 1972. Following a short stint in the Navy, Lewis has been in private practice in Santa Fe, N.M. since 1974. He and his wife, Betsy (Borland), have one daughter, Jennifer (Ph.D. ‘00, UT Austin), and two grandchildren.

Charles (Chet) Boortz ’70, ’73, ’94 (Ph.D., UT Dallas), also an All-Intramural water basketball player, says “Intramurals provided me with an unexpected opportunity to play team sports with friends, and make fitness and exercise part of my daily regime.” Married 40 years to Kathy (Powell) Boortz ’70, and with three adult children, he currently manages a renewable energy business in Dallas.

Sigma Phi Epsilon Volleyball Takes it AllFor the first time in intramural history at UT, one team swept all three classes in a sport. In 1966–67, ΣΦΕ, under the leadership of Dick Vermillion and Tom Hicks, won Class A, Class B and Mullet division volleyball, setting a record that was matched in 1973–74 by Acacia. The Sig Eps beat a powerful team of Iranian students in Class A, the Recruits in Class B and the Burfs (Acacia) in the Mullet division.

ALL CLASS CHAMPS

Sigma Phi Epsilon A volleyball team. Front (L-R): Dan Blanks, Larry Smith, Kevin Holcomb, Rufus Miller. Back (L-R): Dan Nicholson, Bruce Schnitzer, Dick Vermillion.

Sigma Phi Epsilon B volleyball team. Front (L-R): Lewis Roberts, Dain Higdon, Gary Willcox, Richard Bender. Back (L-R): Alan Hubbard, Tom Hicks, Charles Boortz, Rick Wadsworth.

1940s/1950s

Jim McBride ’54, managed Newman Club to an All-Year trophy championship in 1952–53 and won B softball that same year. Jim worked as a NASA engineer from

1960–94. He and his wife, Leola, reside in Dickinson, Texas.

Bob McCaig ’53, won B volleyball with his fraternity, Phi Gamma Delta, in 1955–56 and was named to the All-Intramural team as a setter. Bob is employed at

Bright & Bright LLP, CPAs in Dallas.

1960s

Susan (Blood) Hackleman ’67, served as team manager for her sorority, Alpha Chi Omega, in both 1964 and 1965. Susan, a Kinesiology major, teaches at Taylor High

School and lives in Georgetown, Texas, with her husband, Ron ’74. Their son, Reagan, is a UT graduate.

Louis McCarter ’65, played for the Canterbury Tales intramural basketball team finishing second to Kappa Alpha. Louis has been with The Law Firm of Vinson &

Elkins in Houston for over 40 years. Two children are UT graduates, offsetting the degrees from OU held by Louis and his wife, Janet.

Billy Karrh ’65, ’67, is one of the more decorated intramural athletes at UT being named the Best All-Around Athlete in 1963–64 and again in 1965–66. This Whitaker

Award winner, intramural official and record holder in the 880 and 440 relays became a Navy engineer working as a civilian until retiring in December 1999. He has played tournament bridge for 20 years, runs marathons and has taken up golf again. He resides in Santa Paula, Calif.

1970s

Collins Oakley ’70, Acacia athlete and All-Intramural first team in softball in 1969, is married to Susan Bridges and has three daughters and three grandchildren.

He worked for Trunkline Gas Co. , and in commercial real estate brokerage and property management before forming K.R.J. Management in Houston. He recalls playing intramurals at UT as “the best four years of my life.”

Jeff Mundy ’66, ’71, was an All-Intramural volleyball player for the Fijis in 1965 and won a volleyball and track championship in 1964–65. Jeff, who lives in

Dallas, has been in the real estate business his entire career.

Jim Todd ’75, ’81, Best Intramural Official in 1975 and softball champ in 1977, works out of his home in Austin as vice president for Advice Inc. He is an avid

golfer and enjoys fly fishing. Jim and his wife, Stephanie (Sanderson) ’77, have a daughter, Perry (23) and a son, Christopher (19).

Howard Goldberg ’77, president of Supreme Laundry & Cleaners in El Paso, Texas, was a Sammie and an intramural senior manager in 1976–77. Among his four

children, his daughter became the first to follow dad to the Forty Acres when she entered UT this fall. Howard made the initial gift to the Intramural Managers’ Campaign benefiting the Intramural Endowment.

Jeff Early ’79, captained the Wild Turkeys’ intramural teams from 1976–79 winning a softball championship in 1979. He also refereed volleyball and basketball. Jeff

owns six Xpress Lubes in The Woodlands, Conroe and Huntsville, Texas, area. He and his wife, Brenda, have three girls and live in The Woodlands.

1980s

Craig Foster, ’82 , ’84 (MBA), racquetball doubles and tennis champion, worked for Dell as a finance execu-tive for over 11 years and is now the director of the

Austin Job Seekers Network (www.hcbc.-com/jobseekers). Craig and wife, Debbie have two children, Christine (‘10 UT graduate), and Brad, (a junior at UT).

Ronnie Hecht ’85, ’88, earned his law degree from UT and today is with the Urban Meridian Group in Houston as general counsel and a real estate developer.

A Wall of Fame member multiple times for Sigma Alpha Mu, he still plays softball and just last year represented the United States at the Maccabiah Games in Israel on the Masters Division fast pitch softball team that won the gold medal.

Jerry Hecht ’88, intramural racquetball champion and Leon’s Legends (Sigma Alpha Mu) team member, says, “There was nothing like the camaraderie associated with

team sports and the highlight for me was Sunday nights when Leon’s Legends was set to take the court or field.” He practices law in Houston and is the reigning racquetball national champion in the 40A Division. Jerry has been married for 18 years and has three children: Ryan (17), Jordan (14) and Collin (12).

Where Are You Now?FAST FORWARD

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In the 1970s, the traditionally sorority-dominated women’s intramural program saw a number of independent groups form and dominate the fields and courts. While Pi Beta Phi still won its share of championships, groups such as the Pelicans, PEM Club and the Illegal Eagles, ruled this division. One of the most dominant women’s groups was Our Gang. These women won championships in many sports as well as individual awards during a four-year run from 1974 to 1978.

Nancy Chenoweth ’78, was named Best Athlete in 1974–75, Best Manager in 1977–78, and in between won football, badminton and table tennis championships. Today, she is a senior project manager for Standard & Poors in New York City. She enjoys golfing when time permits and is looking forward to retirement “though still too far off,” she says.

Brenda (Bolin) Smith ’77, a two-time Outstanding Team Manager, just retired after 32 years of teaching health and physical education, and coaching volleyball and softball. She spent the last 11 years at Coppell High School after 21 years at Lewisville High School. Two state championships in softball highlighted her career. Brenda says, “I’m honing my golf game now that I’ve got the time.”

Lynn Kercheval ’78, is the athletic director and softball and volley-ball coach at St. Agnes Academy in Houston. Her picture appears 10 times on the Wall of Fame for football (4), softball (2), badminton (3) and as manager for Our Gang in 1977–78.

Anna (Koncewicz) Schultz ’77, is a certified public accountant in Rockwall, Texas. As an amateur golfer, she is the 2006 and 2007 Women’s Southern Senior Champion, 2007 U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Champion, 2008 Texas Women’s Amateur Golf Association Champion and a five-time winner of the City of Dallas Championship.

Elizabeth (Koncewicz) Tausch ’77, is married to ex-UT football player Terry Tausch. Ela and Terry have two children and live in Minnesota. Ela has been a teacher since graduation.

Ellen Wallace ’79, football, track and free throw intramural champion, worked as a certified public accountant for six years before deciding to pursue a law degree from the University of Houston. “I soon realized,” she reflects, “my favorite part of school was playing intramural football. An opportunity to teach and coach at a PK-12 prep school opened up so I took a leave of absence from law school and 23 years later I still teach and coach at the Kinkaid School in Houston.”

Did you play women’s intramurals? Which team? Contact Bob Childress at bobc@mail.utexas.edu to be mentioned in the newsletter. Receive a Wall of Fame T-shirt as a token of our appreciation.

1976–77 Women’s Flag Football Champions. Front (L-R): Brenda K. Bolin, Anita L. Hafertepe, Holly Wilemon, Nancy L. Chenoweth, Elizabeth M. Koncewicz, Yvonne C. Jansen. Back (L-R): Jean E. Schulte, Ellen P. Wallace, Lynn Kercheval, Sandra K. Woelfel,

Laura L. Phillips, Annette L. Romero, Anna H. Koncewicz, Coach Jon D. Schultz.

Our Gang – Power to the Women

WINNER ’S CIRCLE