The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
UT Athletics unveils 'The Doughboy' statue
11.11.2009 | Football
Nov. 11, 2009
| Video
Natalie England, Texas Media Relations
Veterans Day this year blessed us with one of those bluebonnet-sky days that only autumn can bring. And in that time, and in that space, UT Athletics took a moment to stop and appreciate, what we have and what's been given to us.
On Wednesday afternoon, in a ceremony that featured active military, UT President Bill Powers and music from Larry Gatlin, "The Doughboy" statue was unveiled as the crowning star of the Frank Denius Veterans Memorial Plaza.
Doughboy was a term used to depict a United States Infantryman, mostly during World War I. But this statue is representative of all American veterans, and appropriately stands on the northwest corner of Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.
The stadium was originally dedicated on Thanksgiving Day in 1924, after the UT student body decided to name the stadium in honor of the 198,520 Texans, who fought in World War I -- and the 5,280 who lost their lives doing so.
In 1977, the stadium was rededicated to veterans of all wars.
"It's so appropriate for us to honor those who serve our country," UT Men's Athletics Director DeLoss Dodds said. "We feel so good that we in UT Athletics can be part of this. We're just trying to carry on what was started before us, and do it in a first-class way."
The bronze statue was commissioned by Frank Denius, one of the 10 most decorated U.S. soldiers who charged the beach at Normandy in World War II. Denius is also a longtime UT supporter and missed his first Texas Football game in 63 years last fall when he went to Dallas to accept the National Patriots Award from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.
The National Patriots Award is the highest award the Congressional Medal of Honor Society can bestow upon an individual.
"Frank Denius has been to more practices than Mack Brown," Dodds said. "He's been very generous, and is a wonderful man who is a role model to me and everyone."
Texas Hill Country artist Paul Tadlock, one of America's leading sculptors of American figures, nature and the outdoors, created the statue. His works have been installed in many public displays, museums and galleries.
Denius, who is also chairman of the Stadium Veterans Committee, hopes this public display will have a meaning and impact that transcends just this Veterans Day.
"This is a wonderful opportunity and great honor for me personally to be here. I just hope this will be forever remembered," Denius said. "Every generation of Americans will pay a price for their freedom -- past generations and future generations. This is symbolic for everyone."
