The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Track and Field All-American Wally Wilson passes away
08.02.2023 | Track & Field / Cross Country
Wilson was a three-year letterwinner and broke two world records while at UT.
AUSTIN, Texas – Texas Track and Field and Hall of Honor member Wally Wilson passed away on July 25, 2023. He was 86 years old.
Wilson was a part of the golden age of track sprinters during the long and successful reign of Clyde Littlefield as the UT track coach and competed him from 1957-1959. He served as a team captain with fellow Longhorn Legend Eddie Southern in his final season in 1959. He was a three-time Southwest Conference Champion in the 440-yard relays, sweeping all three relays in his time with Texas.
In his first two seasons, Wilson was part of the mile relay championship team in 1957 and 1958 and was part of the winning 880-yard relay team in 1957 to win another SWC title.
A true Texas legend, Wilson was part of two world record teams in both the 440-yard and 880-yard relays. Off the track, Wilson was a member of the Friar Society and the Texas Cowboys and remained a loyal Longhorn fan after his graduation.
Wilson was later inducted into the Texas Hall of Honor in 2010 and joined his teammates Southern, Hollis Gainey, Bobby Whilden and Ralph Alspaugh as part of the honored tradition.
