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Inside... Slingin' Sammy Baugh didn't really want to be a football player. For the story of TCU's most powerful quarterback of all time, see page 3.
A TCU ex and Houston Oiler great recalls the 81- 16 loss to U.T. in 1974. For more on Mike Renfro, see page 7.
The man on the sidelines running the time clock has been involved with TCU football for a long time. See photos and story on pages 4 and 5. Fifty years from now, what will TCU look like? Those who asked that question 50 years ago visited campus last week m to find out. See page 6.
Cover Art by Sharon Jones Page 2 etCetera, October 26, 1981 'Traditions' change with the times
By Anne Stabile Athletic Director Frank Win- important lor the team. "Spirit is University Drive because it v\as ver) No one knows exactly when degger stressed the togetherness of proportional to the way the team long and blocked traffic quite a Homecoming began, and if you try Homecoming. "It's one of the big plays," he said. "There's onlv JO waj s," Foltz said. to go too far back, all you end up events that allows alums to come much you can do without the The team itself was different then, with is a lot of "I don't remembers." back to campus for the various band." he said. "Evoti in niv senior year we But Homecoming has been an reunions," VV'indegger said. Head football coach FA. Dry went to the Cotton Bowl, and we important e ent from the 1930s to agreed. "Any event where there's had probably the worst team in the the I9!i0s. This year Windegger is more people in the stands and more conference." he said. The'e are differences in the wav celebrating his 25th reunion. "You importance placed on what (the Though some of the homecoming Homecoming was celebrated in the look forward to things like that," he team) does is recognized," he said. traditions stayed the same, such as past, but the spirit, excitement and said. "I see a lot of classmates at "They depend on it - all athletes like the bonfire and the parade importance haven't changed. different times but never collec- to hear a cheering crowd." downtown, the '50s marked still "As I remember. Homecoming tively." "You need that spirit," said another era and another way to was always Thanksgiving," said Don Layman, the chairman of the sophomore fooiball player John celebrate Homecoming. Ellsworth Chappeil, a former TCU 25-year reunion, recalled some of Preston. "You need to be psyched "One place that Layman and other football plaer. Chappeil plaved in the wavs his class celebrated for the game. It makes you play students in the '50s often went to the 1929 game that won TCU the Homecoming. "One thing that we better," he said. dance (and probably did after the Southwest Conference cham- did was give girls mums, and the The athletes aren't the only ones Homecoming game in 1956, though pionship. girls dressed up in heels and hats. • to benefit from the cheers,-said Bell, Layman says he's not sure) was "That was a gala day because it That was the only time," he said. partner to head cheerleader Chad "Jack's Place." If "Jack's" doesn't was the first time in history," '31 Spirit and support also come from Schrotel. "People feel better them sound familiar to you, don't worry graduate Lesbia Roberts said of the the band. they can scream at a game." because it burned down 20 years championship. "Mainly because of The band is more enthusiastic this That's part of the reason Mc- ago. year than last year, said Director the depression very little was done Cluney said he goes to the games. "I Freshmen in the 1950s were Curt Wilson. except go to the football game." v enjoy -the games," he said. "It's a forced to wear green, purple and "We've gotten a lot ot recognition chance to cut loose and scream and white beanies until Homecoming:Tf this year. The kids in the band are so yell." you were caught without it, no turned on. I think there are times telling what might happen to you. when we're the onlv thing going on There's been a lot of talk about But Layman put homecoming for in the ball games." winning Homecoming this year, undergrads in the background, "1 Wilson sought to improve the and no one sees the importance of it feel homecoming is more for alumni band by enlarging the percussion more than Dry. than undergrads," he said. "When I section and placing the brass so it "Winning is what the game is all was an undergrad I didn't pay a can better be heard. Because the about. The more you win, the more whole lot of attention to it, band is small, Wilson said, he trys to you gain confidence," he said. frankly." play to the west side of the staHium "You always want to win rather than going up the middle Homecoming," said Preston, strong where the sound would be lost. safety onthe team. "That's the big One special aspect of the band is game. If we play up to our potential This year TCU students, in- its musical arrangements. Lew we should just beat the hell out of cluding spirit organizations such as Gillis, an orchestration professor, is Houston." the Spirit Wranglers, TCU responsible for many of the band's "1 think we're gonna kill Cheerleaders, TCU Show Girls and arrangements. Wilson writes Some Houston," said Bell. the band, are eager to support not and buys others. Windegger agreed. "We beat one only the football team, but the Wilson asked Mike Vax, a of the top teams in the country and school itself. nationally known trumpet player, we can beat - anyone on the Dale Young, the faculty adviser of to play a special arrangement of schedule," he said. the Spirit Wranglers, said he feels "MacArthur Park" for the Homecoming has always in- spirit is very important, which is Homecoming game. He sartd* he cluded special events. Through the why he formed the group four years wants to make this Homecoming years the events have changed ago. "the most exciting Homecoming according to the time period and the The beginning of the '60s, like the "Spirit develops pride in the we've ever had." interests of the students. beginning of the '30s and '40s, was school and when you have pride in Wilson also said the TCU <6how „ ,;Chappell recalled.the big bonfire one of turmoil. In 1963 President the school, the students do better in Girls are a part of spirit rousing. and pep rally common to- John F. Kennedy was shot. In that whatever they do," he said. Homecomings in the 1930s. year Homecoming was canceled, At Frog Follies this year the Spirit "The Show Girls have a "One time we were gonna have a but the man elected to take charge Wranglers will show slides of things reputation as the best dancing big bonfire and SMU came oyer and of the festivities was 1950 alum that have happened on campus group in the Southwest Con- set it beforehand." Harold Achziger who took charge sin^e school began. ference," Wilson said. "People look Clyde Foltz, chancellor's assistant the next year. "What we really want to do is forward to seeing them." and 1944 graduate, remembered, Achziger said he decided it was keep spirit going on TCU campus This year the band made a spirit "When I attended TCU it was time to "spice up" homecoming and develop pride in the univer- sign for the first time in several during the war years and it was an with a barbec'ue. "I thought we sity," he said. years. "We just thought the band entirely different spirit in many might get a better turnout," he,.$aid. Spirit is no stranger to should assert itself as a visible group i ways." "Then I decided it might even be cheerleaders, though cheerleader on campus," said sophomore Homecoming, Foltz said, focused better to get it upderwritten- you Debi Bell said she feels sports are Wayne Owen, a percussionist. around athletics with one dif- know, get a freebie." more than just playing a game. "We wanted to show the alumni ference. "There were no scholar- Achziger and FolW spoke to J.C. "I think sports, especially foot- how great the spirit is and what ships-everybody was in the Pace, who was head of the Winn ball, is important to any university. we're doing," said Bryan Andrade, military." Dixie grocery chain. Eventually It brings in money and it brings a sophomore who plays the Though the environment outside Pace decided to support TCU's students and faculty together at a euphonic. of school looked i dim, the barbecue with £ free tide of beef. fun event," she said. The stress is on alumni, he said, homecoming activities didn't suffer. "J^t was just a biglkind of circus "I feel Homecoming is a time for because they contribute a lot of "We had a pep rally in downtown atmosphere and generated a big those students who've graduated to money to the organization. "This Fort Worth and the snake dance," ' excitement," Foltz said of the first come back and reminisce and meet Homecoming is more important, Foltz recalled. The "snake dance" barbecue. old friends and become involved in especially this time, Ix-eause we're started downtown after the pep "As for traditions," Foltz said, something that was a very im- playing a lot of different music. It's rally parade. University Drive was "some stick and some don't, ac- portant part of their life," said gonna be great - I'm really looking blocked off and one person got cording to students' values and senior Mark McCluney. "It's kindof forward to it." behind the other. In this wav the mores. Some change, as w»ll the\ a big class reunion of all classes," he Steve Stoughton, a sophomore "snake" moved toward campus. should." said. tuba player, said the band's job is "It was verv effective on tic etCetera, October 26,1981 Page 3 Former Frog still enjoys football kick, and throw. The triple-threat is play both, and so I chose football. what they called it." But if I'd thought I even had a Baugh was that type of player. In chance to get into the big leagues, 1935, his second season as a Frog, I'd have stuck with baseball,'' he Baugh led TCU to 10 straight said. victories as it headed into the So Slingin' Sam signed with the v~ Southwest Conference cham- Redskins in 1937, and his rifle-like pionship playoff. passing took the NFL by storm. The Frogs faced Southern In his rookie season, Baugh Methodist, another undefeated SWC brought the Redskins fnto the team, in what has been called the championship game against the "greatest college game ever Chicago Bears. In that game, the 6- played." foot 2-inch beanpole from Texas Baugh brought TCU back to tie threw two touchdown strikes to help the score after SMU took a 14-0 lift Washington to a 28-21 win. halftime lead. But late in the game, That day, the first-year signal- the Mustang's quarterback lofted a caller threw for nearly 350 yards, bomb to his receiver, who got past establishing himself as the premier Baugh (playing safety) and caught quarterback of his time. the winning touchdown. He led his Redskins to the title Despite losing the conference title, game four more times during the TCU beat Louisiana State 3-2 in the 1940s, and in his 16-year career, Sugar Bowl and was ranked number Baugh set dozens of NFL records, one in the. nation by the only some of which still stand. -*- • national poll. Football historian Roger Treat The next season, The Frogs went said of Baugh, "In his worst 9-2-2, and beat Marquette to win game ... he was as good as the rest the first Cotton Bowl game ever of the quarterbacks on their best played. days." "Those games did a lot for TCU, and so did all those wins a few years later when Davey O'Brien, Ki Aldrjch, LB. Hale and that bunch played for Dutch," said Baugh, interrupted by a breakaway touchdown run on television by- Tony Dorsett. "I think they made a lot of people across the country, and especially those eastern sportswnters, know that there's something down here in Texas," he added. SLINCIN' SAMMY BAUGH, hoping for a career in baseball, became a Ironically, Baugh came to TCU legendary player in TCU's Hall of Fame. At right, Baugh, in 1981, enjoys a with the original intention of playing baseball. Dallas Cowboy game on television. photob Be N "I always wanted to play big league baseball. You know how By T.J. Diamond a new era, where the pass became some kids want to be firemen and With one socked foot propped up an effective and exciting tool and all, I wanted to play baseball," he on a living room easy chair and one not just a risk taken in last-ditch said while reaching for his make- hand periodically reaching for his efforts. shift spittoon, preparing to tell Photo by Ben Noey pouch of Carl Garrett chewing And Baugh had the arm needed to another story. tobacco, Slingin' Sammy Baugh turn the game around. "I played one year of pro ball. Baugh led the league in passing was doing what he has done all his The story is told of Baugh's first After I took my last exam and got six seasons, while being selected All life-enjoying the game of football. day of workouts with the Redskins. out of TCU, I had a job in Pampa, Pro the same number of years. He While watching the Cowboy-Ham The Washington coach, in an effort Texas, with a lumber company and threw for 21,886 yards and 186 game on the television of a long- to deflate the former collegiate playing on the Pampa Roadrunner touchdowns during his pro career. time Fort Worth friend, the former star's ego, asked the rookie quar- baseball team," he said. "I didn't His completion record of 70.2 TCU and Washington Redskin great terback how good he was. even stay around for graduation. percent in 1945 still stands in the reminisced over his playing days of "I can throw a little," said Baugh. "In August, we were playing a books, along with his 51.3 yard the 1930s through the 1950s. "Let's see how good. Hit that tournament up in Denver. Rogers punting average of 1940. The 67-year old legend, heralded receiver running down the field in Hornsby was playing for a team at In 1945, Baugh set versatility records by leading the league as a by many as the greatest college and the eye," said the coach. that tournament and scouting for professional quarterback of all time, "Which eye?" replied Baugh, the St. Louis Cardinals. He saw me, defensive back with 11 in- terceptions. spoke little of himself. Instead, he cocking back his arm. and took me out to dinner, and When he retired in 1952, the 38- shared humorous and heart- But the passing revolution began asked me if I'd sign a contract to year old veteran also set the record warming stories of the golden days in Fort Worth. Baugh came to TCU report to St. Louis that spring ... I ot sports. the same year as legendary coach signed," he said, suggesting it was for the longest-playing career in NFL history. He wouldn't bring up the fact that Dutch Meyer and led the Horned an easy decision to make. "i don't think being a professional he was twice named an All- Frogs to a three-year 29-7-2 record. "At that time, St. Louis had a athlete back when I played was as American, or thai he still holds Baugh shattered, set, and reset shortstop named Marty Marion, prestigious as it is today," Baugh several National Football League nearly all school records, not only in and he was the best doggone said. "You get so much publicity records, or that he was the first passing, but also in punting and shortstop around. 1 knew that while this day and time because of TV. If I quarterback inducted into the NFL interception returns. he was around. I'd never have much had the choice. I'd rather be plaving Hull of Fame. "Back in those days, players had of a chance with the Cardinals, right now." Bui that's .ill common know ledge. to go both ways-offense and since I was also a shortstop," he Since I he da\ the whip-arm passer defense. Teams weren't so big that said. Although most every football fan remembers Baugh as one of the most from Sweetwater. Texas, stepped thev could field two different "While in the minors, I had to brilliant and prolific quarterbacks onto the Horned Frog field in 1934, squads," drawled Baugh. "What make a choice between baseball and the game has ever known, few the gridiron lias never been the every body was looking for was a football because the Cards' remember Baugh the matinee idol. same. Baugh launched football into Icllow who could run a little bit. organization wasn't going to let me (See Sammy, page &V Page 4 etCetera, October 26, 1981 Long-time fan keeps TCU time
Story by Susie Bridges Photos bv Ben Noev
Some people can't get away trom Horned Frog He later quit baseball to coach, and moved to San football, no matter what the win-loss record. Angela, where lie coached on the high school level for Harry Tavlor is one of those people. 14 year*. "I'n a Horned Frofl fan." lie said. "I couldn't he fie also officiated lor the Southwest Conference anything else." over the years, "hut not lor TCU, because 1 had Taylor, 81. has been involved with TCI! football played for them." he said. periodically since 1923, when he entered TCU on an Tavlor is one of two athletes in TCU history to athletic scholarship. letter in four sports in one year. As a freshman, he A four-year letterman in football, basketball and was on varsity football, basketball, baseball and track baseball, Taylor was inducted into the TCI' Hall of teams. Fame five years ago. The football field was located behind what is now And for the last 10-12 years, he doesn"t remember the librarv when Taylor played for TCU, and the how long, he has run the time clock at Aniim Carter baseball field was beyond that, where Dan Hogers Stadium from the sidelines. Hall stands. Perched just south of the TCU bench during the "We collected bugs for biology class where the games, he has seen TCU win a few and lose a few stadium is now," he said, laughing. more. Taylor's close ties to TCU don't interfere with his "TCU plays a fine game." he said. "They've Ix'en timekeeping, he said. plaving good ball for a long time. It just seems the "You've got to fight getting involved, and con- big breaks are against them." centrate on what's going on," he said. "You just Head coach FA. Dry has changed the teams at- disregard what team it is on." titude, Tavlor said. "You can tell by the expression in Keeping up with the officials, especially when the their eves whether it hurts them to lose. You can tell action is on the north end of the field, is sometimes it hurts them more now." difficult, he said. "As many people as are swarming The coaches should be given time to develop an around, it's hard to see everything." attitude and recruiting strategy, he said. "When Tavlor said that to "keep from loafing" he sub- you're not winning it's hard to get top boys." stitute teaches at area high schools and hunts. He was Football has changed since Taylor was a Homed headed to Bandera, Texas, a few Fridays ago to take Frog halfback under coach Matty Bell. advantage of an away game and a weekend away "They blocked and tackled then just as they do from the time clock. now." he said, "but there's a lot more passing now." Tavlor drives a gray pickup with a camper, and he He said in the 1920s teams used more single- and wears cowboy boots. The skin of his face and hands is double-wing formations than the formations used weathered, with a sign of healthiness. today. Tavlor said his favorite sport is "whichever one's in Keeping track of players "in training" was the season." team's responsibility, not the coaches, during his Tax lor and his wife celebrated their 50th wedding football vears. Tavlor said. "We didn't want a weak anniversary in May at a party held in the Letterman's link." Room -where the Hall of Fame is located-at Anion "We didn't have main men." he said, adding that Carter Stadium. during his senior vear there were onlv 13 players on "A lot of people don't even live that long," said the team. Taylor, adding many marriages break up before 50 "We plaved offense and defense both They could vears. "It's a shame. The lamily is the foundation ot wear you down it they had more men." he said. our nation." Professional football wasn't as popular-or as The Hall of Fame, and being inducted into it, is profitable-in the '20s, so he plaved professional special to Taylor. baseball on San Antonio's Texas League team, he "That's something that money can't buy," he said. said. "You earn that by just hard work." etC. etCetera, October 26, 1981 Page 5
■MM Page 6 etCetera, October 26, 1981 / — Fifty years later, the class of 1931 unites
By Anne Stabile was later elected to the TCU Hall of In 1931, when the t>epression Fame. His wife recalled the ad- settled in and so many people had to ministrative mistake made when he leave school, 194 students managed first entered the university. to graduate from TCU. "When he came to TCU he was Of that number, 125 returned to supposed to be in Jarvis. They had TCU Oct. 17 for their 50-year him as 'Mable' Atkins, and he was reunion. supposed to r(x>m with Betty "I found all classmates except 38 Glenn-one of the cuties of cam- all over the United States,' said pusv" she said with a laugh. Lesbia Roberts, chairman of the 50- Roberts, in coordinating the year reunion committee. reunion, roused some not-forgotten The first reunion for the class of memories. She recalled that as a / 1931, The Quinq Club as they call senior she was accompanied to her themselves, was their 30-year government class, taught by Dr. reunion. Roberts said the class Duncan,^Jy"a German Shephard hadn't really been recognized named Jacjc. . $ , before because the "noticed" , "0nce Forrest White, a member reunions are the 25-year and 50- of the class (now deceased) annoyed year. Dr. Duncan to the extent that he "This is our first real recognition admonished White with, 'Mr at TCU," she said. White, if you were half as attentive as our dog friend Jack, you might make a passing grade,'" she said. For some, the memorable ex- periences don't seem to be much different than the experiences students face today. TENNIS AND POLITICS-John McDiarmid, graduate of the class of '31, "All I remember,«tbouUgoing to was ranked seventh on the national tennis circuit in 1936. He also has worked TCU was trying to get through," as personnel director of the United Nations. photo by Bill HoH said Laura Lee Barclay of Fort Worth. "What scared me most was my they saw were the Starpoint School, Princeton in 1938 and the piano rectial," said thhe woman The Moudy building and the ad- University of Southern California in beside her, Thelma Lawrence of ditions to the library. 1940. Tyler. After the tour, the group posed for McDiarmid worked .for the But the issues students faced in the pictures on the student center steps, United Nations as personnel 1930s were different from those and then attended a luncheon. director. In 1964, he was sent to important to students today. Ann Gee, director of alumni India as a residential representative As part of the reunion program affairs, began the program with a "of the United Nations. He stayed Suzie Batchelor, director of student 1930s fashion show. there 10 years. activities, talked about the dif- Nine models-all members of Though retired, he still spends ferences between students of the TCU Student ' Foundation, the time' overseas for the United 1930s and the 1980s. undergraduate alumni "Nations, traveling to Rome, Jordan, "Students are a little more serious association - modeled 12 outfits Japan, and Africa. today," Batchelor told the alumni. from the 1930s. They were all Another figure at the reunion was "The impact of the media has made authentic, lent by cfass of '31 Perry Gresham, president emeritus a difference. Students today are members or their friends. of Bethany College in West bombarded by media." There were common clothes such Virginia. Barclay echoed these sentiments. as a gymsuit, a party dress and a Gresham has rec"eived 15 "We belonged to an era in which we classroom dress, and there were honorary doctorates and has had a lot of respect for our elders. oddities: a rain slicker autographed published seven books. „ We didn't go out for causes." by football team members, a wool He was the first minister of Jay D. Williams from Atlanta was swimming suit and a bug-catcher's University Christian Churvh and editor of the Skiff in 1931. He outfit. The bug catcher's outfit was was involved in the church's 50- recalled the time he got in trouble reminiscent of the days when year anniversary celebrated ,the for a "controversial" editorial. i>iology students had to catch their same weekend as the Quinqs' a "I became quite controversial as own "guinea pigs." reunion. » an editor because I was against the Fifty years is a long time to be out The Quinq Club went to the TCU-* FASHIONS change through the TCU band having a sweetheart," of school. Some of the alumni have Utah State game and then had years, but some of those modeled for Williams said. "I thought it was been very busy in their callers since dinner at The Shady Oaks Country the class of '31 were curiously like silly j*i»d I wrote ap editorial about graduation^.* ' • ^ . Club. today's "preppie' clothes. Brenda it." Williams' article didn't John McDiarmid, member of the Dinner festivities included a skit Almes and Kelly O'Donnell were accomplish what he had hoped it TCU Hall of Fame, was captain Af and "funny" awards, like who lost among,, models from the TCU would, as the band got to name its the tennisSeam in 1931. In* 1936 he the most hair. • -Stuclent Foundation. _ , _.„., „ Photo by Bill HoH sweetheart^ Emma Nell Handly, was ranked seventh on the national A "talk show" was peformed, anyway. . .circuit, playing Wimbledon winners based on a 1931 radio show For the occasion Roberts, with Batchelor also said that Bobby Riggs and Sidney Wood. broadcast from the Hotel Texas other members of the 50-year technological advances such as ■** *"*He recalled, how hte got into (where the Hyatt Regency is now). reunion committee, arranged transportation are partly respon- tennis, as "a skinny' lb'year-old Two TCU "graduates" were guests programs for the alumni to show sible for the change in TCU's struggling to earn a letter in on the show and 11 popular songs of them how TCU has changed in 50 student body. freshman basketball." McDiarmid the day were sung. years. "The most significant change is wrote, "I left the basketball squad in Chancellor Bill Tucker and Alumni-some with their spouses, where people are from," she said. my sophomore year when coach Chancellor Emeritus James Moudy some with their grandchildren and "Nearly half the student body is Francis Schmidt yelled, 'Mc- also attended the dinner. some with old friends-gathered to from out of state. There's a nice mix Diarmid, you're slower than the "It was a pleasure to work with share memories with people they of Southerners and Yankees." second coming of Christ!' and took these |X'ople in 1931," said Noble hadn't seen in half a century. After a "re-introduction"-a time up tennis immediately." Atkins, "and to see these people that Noble Atkins was captain of the to talk and reminisce-the alumni McDiarmid later taught political I worked with, it's a double football team in 1930, captain of took a bus tour of TCU campus. science and coached tennis al pleasure." the basketball team in 1931 and Among the most recent changes Northwestern Universitv in 193ft, etCetera, October 26, 1981 Page 7 Frogs' losses didn't stop Renfro
By Robert Howington didn't have the size NF'L scouts look for. And nobody ever mistook him Yes, Mike Renfro said, he for a world-class sprinter. rememberi that overcast, chilly day The one thing he did have was in late November 1974. hands. Of course, he'd rather forget it.. Renfro showed the scouts he was But he can't. The memory of that sure-fingered by breaking receiving 81-16 loss to the University of Texas records. He never seemed to drop a is too vivid to blank out. ball. He was consistent and reliable. On that wintery afternoon, the "The number-one thing is to catch Horned FYogs suffered their most the ball," Renfro said. "I've humiliating defeat since U.T. beat developed the ability to do that. It's them 72-0 in 1915. Renfro said it concentration, hands and was the worst feeling he's had as a quickness." football player. TCU's losing seasons also may "That was a dark, dark day," have helped him get drafted. He Renfro said. He recalled the four stood out among TCU players. years he spent as a Horned Frog. When scouts watched TCU play, "We got beat a lot, but not that they watched Renfro. bad." Today, four years into his professional career with the Oilers, Kenfro now has a home in Renfro is the most recognized TCU- Houston, where he is a starting wide ex playing in the NFL. receiver for the Houston Oilers. A In his first three years at Houston, game with Cincinnati Nov. 1 will Renfro played on teams that had 10- keep him from Homecoming this 6, 11-5 and 11-5 records. weekend. All three years, the Oilers m*de Like many TCU alumns, Renfro the playoffs. said he would like to see TCU come Renfro said he enjoys the winning. out its comatose state on the football It's a far cry from his days as a field. Horned Frog. Renfro, who- played under F.A. "There's notfjing'C^etter than Dry his senior year, said he believes winning," he said. "It's one of the in Dry's program. "The short time I biggest satisfactions as an athlete. was there he did a lot of butt- The TCU days of losing were really kicking," he said. "He got rid of the tough. It's a lot better winning than guys who didn't care. He's running losing." the program the way it should be Renfro joked that one of his run." biggest thrills as an Oiler was to "be Four-and-40. That was TCU's able to get out of bed Monday won-lost record from 1974 to 1977, morning after a game with Pitt-" the four years Renfro starred at sburgh." TCU as a wide receiver. But what happened to Renfro in It was appropriate that the low the 1979 AFC championship gam?. point of Renfro's career came at agairfst Pittsburgri^a'sAo joke. TCU, because the era in which he In that game, Renfro was in- played was the darkest in the volved in one of the most con- school's 85-year football history. troversial plays in NFL history. ' When people talked about With the Steelers leading, 17-10, Horned Frog football from '74-'77 late in the third quarter, Renfro they talked about Renfro. He was looked as though he had caught a TCU football. game-tying touchdown pass from When a roar came from Amon ANOTHER MIRACLE CATCH-Mike Renfro caught his way from TCU Dan Pastorini. Carter Stadium during those years, to Houston, earning a starting position with the Oilers. The refere*. who was responsible a passerby could trust it was for for making She call, however, said Renfro, who no doubt had caught Renfro did not have possession of another Steve. Bayuk touchdown the football as he slid out of the pass. of-intent to TCU was that Jim had another child, he would like for right corner of the endzone. Renfro was named an All- Shofner, then in his first year as the him to be like Jim Shofner. Renfro raged, but to no avail. The Southwest Conference player his Frogs' head coach, was planning to "That kinda stuck in my mind," Oilers had to settle for a Tony sophomore, junior and senior years. install a passing offense. Renfro said. Fritschjfceld goal and lost, 27-13. He was named TCU's Athlete of the "My main interest in college was The next morning he signed with A camera replay showed that Decade. He set receiving records at to catch a lot of balls," Renfro said. TCU. Renfro did have possession of the TCU for most receptions (162), most Renfro said he knew that if he was Of course, Renfro said, he found football. But there was nothing yardage (2,739) and most touch- ■ going to impress scouts enough to the losing tough to handle. While at anybody could do except complain. downs for a receiver (17). get a shot at playing in the National TCU, Renfro survived 20- and 15- "Obviously, I was hot for weeks In 1977, Renfro set a SWC record Football League, he'd have to have game losing streak's: and even months afterwards," for the most touchdown receptions. the ball thrown in his direction. "It was tough every week to get Renfro said. "I caught the ball. I 10, in one season. That record still But Renfro also had Baylor, Rice up for the game," he said. "As the have no doubts about that. After I stands, though Stanley Washington, and Colorado State on his list. He years progressed, it wasJ;ougher to saw the replay, I knew the ref had TCU's current star receive/, may cnuld've gone to one of those schools put on the pads." ™ blown it. It got me national at- challenge it. In-cause thev all passed the ball. So But Renfro, through his dream of tention for sure." Despite all the records and honors why TCU? playing in the NFL, found a reason The Friday before TCU upset he collected as a Horned Fr^fgT Renfro's lather. Ray, had to keep those pads on. "Before my Arkansas, 28-24, Renfro said that however. Renfro told a Ti'xas Sports something to do with that. junior year, I thought I had enough TCU was "on the verge of over reporter in 1980 that "if theghnd Ray Renfro and Shofner had talent to make a living being a wide coming it. It's been a long ei^ >♦ Lord had come down and told me become good friends when thev receiver," he said. "So that years since the so-called 'jinxes.'" I'd mil) plav in four winning games played in hV NFL at Cleveland. The motivated me." And, for Mike Renfro, its been a in lour years, of college, 1 don't think night before Mike made his final Shofner's passing offense helped long time since that awful I'd have gone toTCU." * decision about which scht\>l to go get Renfro his job in the NF'L. November dav in 1974. One reason Renfro signed a letter- to. his clad told him that if he ever At 6-foot and 184-pounds, Renfro etc Page 8 etCetera, October 26, 1981 Homecoming celebrations 'jazzed up' in '81
A drum roll: d-r-r-r-r-tcsh! This \ear the Homecoming Committee set up two deadlines: one for the title Thank you, and welcome to the gala event of the year: Homecoming. and svnopsis of the skit, and the other for the complete skit. '1 he complete skit And note, for your listening enjoyment, we're going to "jazz it up TCU was due three weeks before Frog Follies takes place. style" with the TCU jazz band .... "We thought the problems groups were having were that they were waiting until the week before to write and rehearse their skits," Tvler said. I he There's probably no other single campus event with as much participation, deadline should ensure better show quality, she said. importance and excitement as Homecoming. Another change in the lollies was to hire a professional master ol A party today from noon to 1 p.m. in the Heed-Sadler Mall will be the of- ceremonies, comedian Sean Morev. ficial kickoff for homecoming. The jazz band Kinesis will be the feature at- "We just realty worked on making (Frog Follies) a more professional traction. theatrical production," Tvler said. At the party. Programming Council will give away purple lollipops and Though homecoming goes back many decades, Tyler said that most of this purple garters with "I Love You TCU" buttons on them. year's events have evolved in the last five years, "I guess l>ecause attitudes Homecoming elections for the queen and her escort will be held Tuesday have changed," she said. "Things that were funny 20 years ago may not be and Thursday in the student center and in the Worth Hills cafeteria. funny now," she said. Homecoming court nominees will be introduced at Frog Follies Friday, and One thing that has returned from the past is the all-campus party. the court will be presented during a pre-game show. This year it's going to beat the Fort Worth Stockyards in Mule Bam 1 at 10 Homecoming Committee chairperson Janet Tyler said the committee is p.m., right after Frog Follies. A free bus service will provide transportation trying to "increase support in all old events and increase additional support from the student center to the party. through three new events." There's no admission fee, but IDs will l>e checked because alcohol will be Posting of spirit banners, dorm decoration and the kickott party arc ad- served. ditions to homecoming this year. A pep rally is also planned for Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the stadium. Coach Spirit banners are made by painting a queen-size sheet. The banners, which F.A. Drv and Chancellor Bill Tucker are scheduled to speak. can be made bv any campus organization, will be hung in the stadium the day This vear there will also be a trophy given to the group who shows the most of the game by the homecoming committee. spirit. Spirit points will be determined by participation in homecoming events. The annuai spirit sign competition will begin Thursday at 3 p.m., when The trophy is V/i feet tall and will move year to year to different spirit organizations may begin display ing the signs around Frog Fountain. Winners winners. of the competition will be announced at the pre-game show. And, of course, the highlight of homecoming-the game against the Houston Spirit signs are more detailed and more expensive than spirit banners. They Cougars-will be Saturday at 2 p.m. in Amon Carter Stadium. are usually made of chicken wire and colored paper, crumbled to create a But come early for the pre-game show, at which the homecoming queen will design. be coronated and contests winners announced. Dorm decoration competition is another added feature this homecoming. Some orgainzations complained last year that homecoming was too "Creek- All dorms are invited to decorate their main lobbies and be judged Thursday oriented," said Rick Funk, program and fraternity coordinator and night. homecoming adviser. Another change in homecoming this year is with Frog Follies, a series of 10- "There reallv is a push on behalf of homecoming to get non-Creeks in- minute musical skits that revolve around the theme of homecoming, "Jazzing volved," Funk said. it up TCU style," Tyler said. He said the cooperation, not the competition, of students is important. "The "We felt it was not meeting the standards it should," she said. "A lot of (last basic idea behind homecoming is to generate lovaltv for the university," he year's) skits weren't of good quality and maybe shouldn't even have been said. etC. done." Sammy ■(Continued from page I) Perhaps the most enjoyable story and it will always bring back old Mondayevents 26 etC the Hall-of-Famer likes to tell thoughts," Baugh said. Wednesday Night Bihle Study Concert. 3:30 doesn't pertain to sports at all. "I've got a feeling that we enjoyed p.m. Frog ol Fountain. Interdomi (Council. 4 p.m. Student Center "Some guy called me here at my college more than they do this day Homecoming Kick-off. Jazz Concert, noon, Hoom202. Student Center Lohhs. ranch shortly after the 1940 season and time, I really do," Baugh Forums, 4 p.m . Student Center Koom 214. Homed Frog Golf Classic. and said they wanted to fly me out recalled. "It was a lot smaller here, Homecoming Rehearsal, S p.m.. Student Texas Journalism F-ducator's Conference. and we had to work around campus Center Ballroom. there to Hollywood and talk about Brown Bag Series. Marni Sandwciss. Curator Programming Council. 5 p.m., Student making a movie. I went out to see for our scholarships. I was here ol Photographs ,il Amon Carter Museum, (anitcr Kooin 2 11 during the Depression, and we were talking on "Photograph} ol Laura Cilpin." them. Just me. No agent! No lawyer! Student Foundation. 5:30 p.m.. Student noun. Student (.'enterCaller). Offered me $4,500 to do a 12-part luckv to be able to even go to Center Hoom 222 serial called "King of the Texas college." Interfratemity Council. Luncheon, noon Student Center Kooni 222. Thursday 29 Hangers," he recalled. Baugh became serious when he Panhellenic. 3 p.m. Student Center Kooin "They gave me a script. 1 studied talked about national football 218. Homecoming. Spirit Sign Display, 3 p.m.. it . . . well I read it over the first today. Interfratemity Council. 3:30 p.m.. Stork-nt Frog Fountain. night until I got the hang of it. We "I've seen too damn main boys Center Kooni 222. Homecoming Spirit Banners. 5 p.in . Student Aclisilic\()llicc went out the next day to shoot the want to leave a ballclub and go to Tuesday 2 7 Homecoming Rehearsal. 5 p.m.. Student thing and they shot the middle of soincbodv else because this ballclub O'liter Bullt'iami. it-not what I studied at all, and isn't a winner. In other words, he The Wesley Foundation Fireside Supper that was the last time I looked at the doesn't want to stay there and help Chris Bliss, juggler. Heed - Sadler Mall, noon Series. "The Issues ol Lite and Death." led hs Bill Longsssorth. prolessor of christian ethics. book," he said. build the team up," he said. "I never and S p.m. Student Government. .5 p.m.. Student Center 5:30 p.in. heard of that in our day, Everybody. "They just told me what to say It 222. \urses' Christian Fellowship. 5:30 p.m. and I said it. That's the way we that started with a team, they didn't TCI! Spirit Wranglers, h n.in.. Student Center Student Center Kooin 2 I 5. made it," he said. "I don't even care whether it was low down or Hoom 207-20U. Homecoming Pep Rally. h;30 p.m . Stadium know what it was about, but 1 had a not, they wanted to stay with that Young Life, o p.in.. Sludcnt (enter Kooin lau Beta Sigma, h 30 p.m.. Student Center Koom203. good time. team and make a winner of it. 202. BSL'.fip.in.. Student Cenlei Hoom 2IS. Time Trip with TB/J. "Student \clisisui ami After his playing days, Baugh "In college-, it's all a matter ol Vocational Home-making Teachers WIMTC it Went." Paul Boiler. 7 p.111 J.usis coached for several college and NFL recruiting. I'd like to see TCU come Association of Texas, h p.IN, Bass laving l.ohlis teams, including Oklahoma State, up with about six or seven blue Kooin Campus Crusade. S 30 p.111 , Student Centei Tulsa, the Houston Oilers and chippcrs- some of the best dam Sophomore Class. Poster parts "30 p.m.. Koom 202. \\ aits Basement Detroit. In 1967. he retired from ballplayers getting out of high Friday 30 school. That would change coaching and returned to his 8,000- Wednesday 28 Last l)ii\ fur Knln l-Wniv liili.iiiiin.il acre cattle ranch in West Texas. every thing here," he said. \elh-\ll.lll .Mid 'I'JiMf III.Ill "..iskrlk.ll Baugh was in town for the Utah The Cowboy game ended, and "I oilni.ininil. 111 Mil 1. Hu ki-l Hi 11I1 Inti; lit nun State game and a golf tournament Baugh said he needed to get up carK I nits T-SI»irl Has 2\H the next morning. Last Has tor MX -I sign-up. IIiHiiri-omiiitjr. Ml ( sitn|Hi\ I'.irlv. 10 ,1 in (he plays nearly every day). He Little Older Than Aseragc Students. noon. I'ml \\uil|iSI