The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Longhorn Hall of Honor: Randy Peschel
09.22.2015 | Baseball, Football, Texas Athletics, T-Association
The 59th Men's Hall of Honor class will be inducted in a Sept. 25 ceremony at the Frank Erwin Center.
Randy Peschel was once described by The Chattanooga Times as "unselfish and proficient at blocking," but legendary Texas Football head coach Darrell Royal saw another trait, often praising Peschel for his "sure hands."
Fittingly, Peschel made a name for himself in 1969 against Arkansas when he made an over-the-shoulder catch against tight coverage.
The Longhorns had only run that particular play a few times that season, and it hadn't been successful yet. So when quarterback James Street called the play, Peschel said he didn't have a lot of time to think what if "you don't catch it, what if you drop it, what if the play does not get off? You just had time to think about what you were supposed to do."
The reception made by Peschel advanced the ball to the Arkansas 13, setting up the Longhorns for an eventual comeback win against a vaunted rival.
"It was worth the risk. Obviously it turned out to be great," Peschel said.
Reviewing the series on film now, Peschel notices something else about the remainder of the scoring drive.
"I look like a chicken with his head cut off, running around trying to block somebody, and I never hit anybody. And I think it was partly because the catch I just made was beginning to sink in and (I) realized we were down here and about to go ahead and tie the score."
But it was unselfish perseverance that allowed Peschel to be in that celebratory setting. He was a starting wingback for Texas in 1967, but the wingback position was eliminated a year later when the Longhorns shifted to the "wishbone" formation.
Peschel moved to split end and then eventually to tight end because, "I am not the fastest of foot, and my speed is not very good." Peschel explains that an injury to starting tight end Deryl Comer moved Peschel to the top of the depth chart in 1969 "by default."
Peschel not only became a prestigious player on the football field but also in the baseball diamond. Royal granted Peschel permission to play both sports; the only requirement was he had to attend football spring training his freshman year. "So that meant I only got to play five or six games of the freshman baseball schedule and then went to spring training," Peschel said. "In years after that there was never any conflict. I was just on the baseball team, and I played baseball."
Peschel graduated in 1969 with a degree in business with an emphasis in personnel management. About six or eight months after the 1969 season, Peschel married the love of his life, Sue.
"She was a teacher and I got a part time job at a bank here in town, called the Capitol National Bank back then, and that's where I started my banking career," he said.
Peschel has been in and out of banking several times in his working career, but always sticks close to real estate.
Now, Peschel has attained another piece of real estate -- a place beside his fellow athletes in the Longhorn Hall of Honor. His sure hands proved trustworthy when it mattered. His catch set up a victory against Arkansas, preserving Texas' undefeated season and setting up Peschel's proudest moment as a Longhorn.
"The memory of us beating Notre Dame and going undefeated (at) 11-0 in '69 and being able to walk up that ramp in the Cotton Bowl after the game and knowing that you are National Champions -- that was a great feeling. And a memory I will cherish and carry with me all my life," Peschel said.
Day of Distinction: 2015 Men's and Women's Hall of Honor Induction
Please join Texas Athletics as we induct 13 decorated and distinguished former University of Texas student-athletes and staff into the Men's and Women's Athletics Halls of Honor on Friday, Sept. 25
Tickets start at $35. To purchase, or if you have additional questions, please call (512) 232-4422.
