The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
T-Association continues letter jacket tradition
01.23.2013 | Longhorn Foundation
Video: Longhorns receive their letter jackets
Video: Football receives letter jackets
Jan. 23, 2013
Lauren Giudice, Texas Media Relations
When David McWilliams was a freshman football player at The University of Texas, student-athletes received sweaters instead of letter jackets. After he received his sweater, McWilliams was so honored that he didn't take it off.
"I slept in my sweater for the first week because I was so proud of it," said McWilliams, who went on to coach UT's football team and is now an assistant athletics director over the T-Association.
A University of Texas letter jacket is an honor bestowed upon UT student-athletes who have played a certain amount of time determined by the coaches of the individual sports.
Very few get to wear the jacket with the large burnt orange "T" on it, and it is a feat to be celebrated.
"They've stepped up, and at the same time they're going to class and going to school and keeping their grades up," McWilliams said. "I think it's just important to let them know how important this letterman's jacket is. It's not just something that you put on. You're now a letter winner. It's very special."
The T-Association is an organization of former UT letterwinners, designed to preserve the legacy of Longhorns even after they graduate and leave the Forty Acres. T-Association director Jill Sterkel said the annual letter jacket ceremony is also beneficial because it brings student-athletes from different sports together.
"I think when you put that jacket on, and you feel the weight of it, it's pretty cool," Sterkel said. "I think they get a kick out of that. It's important for them to understand that not everybody gets to this level and that it's important and special."
Sterkel is a decorated former UT letterwinner herself and was an All-America swimmer at UT. She said traditions like the letter jacket ceremony build a culture within the athletics program.
Freshman Molly McCage, who played a key role in volleyball's national championship, received her letter jacket last Friday. Before receiving her jacket, she looked around the T-Room at pictures of previous UT national championship teams that decorate the walls. Though her team's picture isn't there yet, she was impressed with the history displayed before her and all of the student-athletes who have received the same jacket.
"To know that they've been in this same room, and that there's so much history behind all UT sports, is a cool thing," McCage said. "Just to be a part of it, looking back later in life knowing I'll be able to say `I was a part of that' is a big deal."
Rowers Angela Bumstead and Heather Leighton took pictures in their letter jackets with their teammates after the ceremony. Bumstead plans to keep her jacket and looks forward to showing it to her kids and grandkids someday.
Leighton will never forget all of the tough practices that brought her to this point. But having a physical reminder of her accomplishments is something special, even though she won't be keeping it -- or, like McWilliams, sleeping in it.
Leighton plans to give the jacket to her sister.
"She's super proud of me, and when I see it on her it will remind me of the fond memories," Leighton said. "Whenever I felt down on myself she would cheer me on and saying `Heather you can do this. I'm so proud of you, you've got this.'"
