Davis, J William 1974-05-07

In Tape 1, Dr. Davis, former chairman of the Texas Tech Athletic Council and President of the Southwest Conference, discusses Tech’s hiring of Coach DeWitt Weaver and traces Tech’s campaign to enter the Southwest Conference. In Tape 2 he discusses Tech’s efforts to modify its football stadium, recalls coaches Weaver and J. T. King’s football programs, and reviews changes in the athletic program. In Tape 3 he relates the origins of the "letter of intent" program, Tech’s forfeiture of the 1964-65 basketball championship, and President Grover Murray’s changes in athletic administrative policy. In Tape 4 Davis relates the University of Houston’s entry into the Southwest Conference.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Dr. J. William Davis

Additional Parties Recorded:

Date: May 7, 1974

Location: Lubbock, Texas

Interviewer: David Murrah

Length: 3 hours, 30 minutes

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Appointment to Texas Tech Athletic Council (1948) recalled, Council activities discussed, Interview process for finding a new coach described, Combination of athletic director and head coach noted, Recollections of DeWitt Weaver and Buddy Brothers, Relationship of Gator Bowl to changes in Southwest Conference, Achievements of Weaver noted

Tape 1, Side 2: Efforts toward Southwest Conference recognition traced, Review of various Conference member attitudes reviewed, Informal economic sanctions against Neiman-Marcus mentioned, Setbacks in the campaign examined, Tech's acceptance into the Southwest Conference recalled, Subsequent committee's work to place Tech in the Conference examined, Requirements for Conference membership

Tape 2, Side 1: Texas Tech's admission to Southwest Conference compared to University of Houston's admission, Decisions concerning Jones Stadium recalled, Description of architect's movement of the stadium, Financing of stadium discussed, Sale of options examined, Alternatives in stadium design explored, Coach DeWitt Weaver's conflict with the university concerning the athletic budget mentioned, Losing years 1955-58 and Weaver's loss of interest in football related

Tape 2, Side 2: Termination of Weaver's contract recalled, Hiring Polk Robinsons and J. T. King remembered, Separation of athletic director and head coach positions, "Top half" became established goal of council, "Continuous contract" explained, Other administrative changes noted, "Letter of intent" explained, Attempts to establish "letter of intent" on a national level

Tape 3, Side 1: "Letter of intent" discussion (continued), Support by other conferences and independents for letter of intent program traced, Implementing the program, Threats of legal action resulting from the program, Speculations and summary on the program given, Association with NCAA explained, Forfeiture of basketball championship (1964-65) recalled, Ineligibility of student discussed, Subsequent investigation of forfeiture cited

Tape 3, Side 2: J. T. King's football program and record reviewed, Attendance records given, Scheduling policy, board pressure discussed, Conflict with President Murray concerning athletic administrative policy, Termination of Gene Gibson's employment by the President related, Murray's conflict with Athletic Council (continued), Decision to resign from Athletic Council examined, Rejection of council recommendations concerning Robison and King

Tape 4, Side 1: Direct dealing with the President concerning selection of football coach, Jim Carlen, noted, Resignation from Athletic Council and athletic programs at Tech recalled, Speculation on future role of President's relationship to Athletic Council and other committees examined, Clifford Jones' relationship to athletic program discussed, University of Houston's entry into the Southwest Conference related, Threat of "super conference" movement noted

Tape 4, Side 2: Blank

Range Dates: 1948-1965

Bulk Dates: 1948-1965

Access Information

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Recording Format Notes:

Transcript:

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