What it means to be a Longhorn: Don Evans

This is the final installment of a 14-part series celebrating the Hall of Honor class of 2019. In these first-person vignettes, each inductee shares his/her thoughts on 'What it means to be a Longhorn.' Thirteen former University of Texas student-athletes and one former UT System administrator will be inducted on Friday, Aug. 30 into the Hall of Honor. Tickets for the Hall of Honor banquet are available at TexasSports.com/tickets.

Don Evans Hall of Honor bio

Life as a Longhorn started in the fall of 1964 when I set foot on the Forty Acres as a freshman. This was right in the heart of the legendary Darrell K Royal era when we were among the elite in college football. The Longhorns had won the 1963 National Championship. I grew up believing there was something special about Texas, and The University of Texas was right at the center of our state's unique culture and spirit.

I saw first-hand how a successful, competitive athletic program, especially football, generated excitement and fun and provided a means for connecting students and the alumni. It played an important role in keeping the alumni involved and engaged for life. In the fall of 1965, my great friend Chris Gilbert became a Longhorn along with his new friends, Corby Robertson Jr. and Mike Perrin. We all were fortunate enough to be members of the Texas Cowboys, and our college days nurtured friendships and valued relationships that I have cherished for life.

After graduating from UT, over the next several decades I stayed active and involved in The University through the Texas Exes, as a season-ticket holder and as a member of the advisory board of the business school. But it was when I was appointed to The University of Texas System Board of Regents that I had the life-rewarding opportunity to show my love for The University, and to give back in some way the positive, life-changing experience The University had provided me.

As a Regent, we are called to serve the people of Texas, be trusted good stewards of the treasures and resources of The University system and, help lead The University as a beacon of excellence and home of pride for all who spend time on the Forty Acres. When I was elected Chairman of the Board in January of 1997, it was an honor and opportunity I could only dream of as a student. I intended to give my heart and soul into making the most of it. The vision I had for The University of Texas at Austin was that a consistently competitive athletic program draws increased support, financial and other, that greatly enhances the academic stature of the university.

Understanding the responsibilities of the Board to the entire system, during the time I was Chairman, I had several game-changing opportunities, life changing for me, to impact the future of The University of Texas at Austin's athletics program. During the next months, The University hired a new football, men's basketball and baseball coach. We were also beginning a process to hire a new president at UT-Austin. I always believed the most important job as a Regent was to hire the very best leaders who could build champions for life, champions on and off the field.

Working closely with DeLoss Dodds, the greatest AD in America in his era, we put together a process that we believed would give us the best chance to hire the best. I was very confident that we would, because I knew the value of our rich tradition and understood our commitment.

The football search committee included Coach Royal, UT Chancellor Bill Cunningham, DeLoss and regent Tom Hicks, as well as former football players Bobby Moses, Corby Robertson and Doug English. They selected Mack Brown, and it was important that his wife, Sally, was a vital part of the process from the beginning.

As it turned out, a few months later we were looking for a basketball coach. I love basketball and our goal was to hire the coach who would put our program on the national stage. I asked DeLoss if I could work with him to make the choice, because I wanted to be clear about the importance we placed on becoming a nationally-recognized program. We searched the country and late one night in Dallas, Rick Barnes committed to be our head basketball coach. Again, Rick's wife, Candy, was key to the entire recruiting process.

By the 1997 baseball season, Deloss landed the nationally-recognized baseball coach, Augie Garrido. The accomplishments of these great leaders of young men are reflected not only in the successes of their teams, but even more in the character and integrity which they instilled in our young people.

During the first decade of the 21st century, Mack's football teams won seven bowl games, won one National Championship (2005) and played for another (2009), and he became the 10th-winningest active coach in college football. In his time at Texas, Rick Barnes took Texas to the NCAA Tournament 16 of 17 years, including a trip to the Final Four in 2003. When Augie left after 20 seasons, his teams had won more college baseball games than any coach in the history of the game. He won national championships in four different decades, including two at Texas in 2002 and 2005. The man we named as president, Larry Faulkner, was an outstanding administrator.

Sadly, we lost Augie a couple of years ago, and I was honored that his wife, Jeannie, asked me to participate in his memorial service. I could not have any greater admiration for what each of these legendary coaches accomplished while at The University. Rick continues to coach a Top-10 basketball program, the Tennessee Volunteers, and Mack has returned to coach the North Carolina Tar Heels.

I remain good friends with Rick and Candy and Mack and Sally. They brought it all. Class coming in, class while at Texas, class on the way out, integrity, strong moral compass, the calling of serving others, mentoring young athletes for life, brilliance as a coach and humble leaders. They gave their very best to Texas. These are real champions.

I will never know any finer human beings, and I am thankful they are teaching and guiding young men. They led The University's athletics program to be among the best of the best. But what I care about more than their many athletic accomplishments are the hundreds of thousands of fans who, throughout their time in Austin and beyond, would simply say, "I love those guys."

All of this is to say that this never was about me. It was about the coaches and players who represented us so well. When I was called by President George W. Bush to become Secretary of Commerce, it was my honor to watch as each of those programs, because of their accomplishments, were invited to the White House to meet the leader of the Free World.

So, if you ask me "What does it mean to be a Longhorn," I would say this. When I left Austin to serve the nation, and as I traveled and met with kings, presidents and other world leaders, I gave them a gift. It was a book I designed and edited entitled "Longhorn."

I soon learned that around the world, leaders are fascinated by Texas and wanted to hear more about it. The book talks about the unique and special part of the pride and spirit that Americans have in our culture and history. That pride and spirit is embodied in the legendary Texas Longhorn and the almost mythical lore of the Texas Cowboy. It has inspired our state and country to reach a little higher and try a little harder to achieve goals beyond ordinary limits and expectations.

This is what I felt when I stepped on the Forty Acres and throughout the years. I am humbled and honored with any role i might have played in shining a brighter light on it in Texas, across America, and around the world.

The University of Texas at Austin Athletics