ESPN Article on a piece of TEXAS football lore

[echeese]

Some of the old farts like Slim JimR and Principal likely knew Jack Chevigny.  

 . . . he was a Marine in World War II and would give his life on Iwo Jima. . . .

But he has a strong tie to TEXAS and TEXAS football. . .in fact many will say he was the man who put TEXAS football on the national map.  ..to the best of my knowledge. . .he is also the only coach or letterman who's name is honored on a bronze plaque in DKR MEMORIAL stadium (I love giving aggies shit about that. . .DKR is a War Memorial. . .Pyle Field is a dog cemetery .. )

Jack is best know for his line "That one was for the Gipper" (which has morphed into " win one for the Gipper" . .. Ronald Reagan would play the Gipper in the Knunte Rockne movie)

Jack was the star RB for Norte Dame and coached at ND under Rockne until his death. .. .Jack would be passed over for the ND head spot and found his way to coaching St Edwards in Austin.    He would take over the TEXAS team in 1934 and in the 2nd game of the season, lead the upstart Longhorns to an upset of ND. . .thus putting TEXAS on the national football map.

Sadly Jack has another claim to fame. . .despite early success (7-2-1 his 1st year). . . Jack remains the ONLY TEXAS coach with a losing record.

But that does not diminish the story of a great football player, a man who left a strong mark on TEXAS and a war hero who gave his last full measure of devotion as a Marine 1st Lt on Iwo Jima. . . 

Semper Fi Jack. . . 

BTW, there is a great book. . .The Last Chalk Line, the life and times of Jack Chevigny. . . written by Jeff Walker. . . I'm in touch with Jeff, he was kind enough to autograph a copy of a great book for me.

http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/page/veterans111214wulfChevigny/football-war-hero

 

[Duke C #11]

That UT win over ND was the home opener for Notre Dame and was the very first home opener they ever lost.

 

[bcherry168]

I was a bit too young to have known Jack, but I know from stories from the coaches that succeeded him that he was highly thought of. In spite of the record, he did contribute to the building of the program that became very successful beginning in 1937. D. X. Bible succeeded him.

 

[Chitownhorn]

Thanks for sharing, what a great read.

 

[Worster1]

Wow!  Thanks for sharing that.  I had read some about Jack Chevigny's life in the past but nothing that comprehensive - very interesting.  What an extraordinarily great man and significant part of UT football history.

As a side point, my Dad was about 10 years old when UT went up to South Bend and beat ND 7-6 in 1934.  He has said several times over his lifetime that the victory was a really, really big deal back then.  He said the same thing the author of the article said - it really put Texas on the college football map.

 

[Bear19]

That was a great read. Thanks cheese.

 

[JimR]

I baby sat for him. thanks for posting this. I heard the story before and liked reading it again.

Iwo Jima. hell on earth.

 

[echeese]

I've been to Iwo .. . and it is horrid. . .stinks of sulfer .. . . can't imagine this. . . .

I am glad his story is getting out there. . .much like Freddie Steinmark . .. .these are people who made contributions that transcended the game.

Semper Fi  Jack. . . .