A Message from Joe Bill Watkins
Chair, RecSports Leadership Team
As the Campaign for Texas enters its third year of an eight-year effort to raise $3 billion for the University, I ask you to please consider the Division of Recreational Sports as an option for giving. Those of us who have committed the time and effort to the RecSports Leadership Team strongly believe that this program is central to the University experience of each and every student. In fact, Newsweek-Kaplan College Guide named UT RecSports the top collegiate recreational sports program in the United States. I invite you to read about the success to-date and to join in our future efforts to support this program that contributes to the University’s mission of transforming lives.
All the best,
Joe Bill Watkins ’65, ’68
INTRAMURAL WALL OF FAME
The Intramural Wall of Fame is a photo gallery of all University of Texas at Austin Intramural Champions and Runners-Up dating back to 1919. Women’s Intramural Champion photos from 1933–73 were added to this gallery in 2002. Today, men, women and coed photos from 1974 to present complete this historic record of a program nearing its 100th anniversary. The gallery is located in Gregory Gymnasium and viewing is available during operating hours of the facility.
DIGITAL WALL OF FAME
www.utrecsportsmedia.org
Through the generous donations from four individuals whose intramural accomplishments are well-documented on the Wall of Fame, a digital version of this record of champions is in progress. RecSports wishes to recognize Joe Bill Watkins, J. W. Pieper, Dr. Ken Ford and Ms. Ann (Vandivier) Brodnax for their contributions to this project. Phase one includes photos from 1950 – 85. The digital Wall of Fame can be viewed at the following Web site: www.utrecsportsmedia.org. All photos may be purchased through our host service, SmugMug, with proceeds benefitting the Recreational Sports Excellence Fund.
RECSPORTS OPEN HOUSE
Gregory
Gymnasium
Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009
Members of the Intramural Wall of Fame representing the Recruits of the 60s were some of the nearly 100 visitors who attended the Open House hosted by RecSports in September. John Angell, former participant, graduate assistant and employee with UT RecSports, traveled from Colorado to make the reunion. In all, 10 ex-Recruits made it back to campus.
The Acacia group from the late 60s/early 70s had a great turnout with eight members in attendance. This group is already planning a special gathering before the Kansas game on Nov. 21 to complete the “Acacia Fraternity Endowed Scholarship with the Division of Recreational Sports.” This scholarship, like six before it, will assist students who work for RecSports with their college expenses.
A special feature of this open house was a short program featuring Joe Bill Watkins, the chair of the RecSports Leadership Team, who delivered an update on the progress of the development efforts over the last two years. He also provided an update on the six endowed scholarships and the sale of the Gregory Gym pavers, whose proceeds will benefit the RecSports Excellence Fund. Joe Bill also announced a pledge by Ann (Vandivier) Brodnax and Linda (McCalla) Williams to begin the Women in Intramural Fund. Their effort is the first of many that will provide funding for an intramural endowment.
Recruits alumni (L-R): Mike Angell, Delbert Cox, Herman Jesko and John Angell
Acacia group (L-R): Harry Craig, Mike Hood, Jim Shelton, Joan Dunlap, Tom Shelton, Jim Holloway, David Dunlap and René Garza
RecSports Campus Relations Coordinator Bob Childress (R), visits with Eric Willis ‘94 and his wife, Sandra.