Huffman, Berl
Berl Huffman, former Texas Tech coach, discusses his life and coaching career at the high school and college levels, commenting on the character and changes he has seen in West Texas athletics. He and his wife also recall their memories of Tech football coach Pete Cawthon.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Berl Huffman
Additional Parties Recorded:
Date: August 15, 1971; July 14, 1972; c. 1975; May 21, 1979
Location: Lubbock, Texas
Interviewer: Perry McWilliams, David Murrah, Etta Lynch, Bobby Weaver
Length: 3 hours, 35 minutes (total)
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1: High school and college playing career reviewed,
Brief recap of high school and college coaching career,
Describes business and political positions held in New Mexico,
Coaching experiences at Texas Tech and Lubbock High,
Football techniques,
Eck Curtis recalled,
"Oil Belt" described,
Motivation for school spirit,
Explores changes in coaching,
Discipline at Tech (1930s),
States philosophy of managing athletes and athletics,
Position of the coach past and present explained,
Relationship between public opinion and athletics discussed,
West Texas characterized.
Tape 1, Side 2: Describes West Texas conditions for athletes,
Anecdotes about athletes,
Recruiting practices in West Texas,
"Oil Belt" football characterized,
Career highlights mentioned.
Tape 2, Side 1: Recalls Texas Tech-Gonzaga University game in which
fans fought (1939),
Tech band and Hardin-Simmons students fight,
Border Conference rivalries mentioned,
Enumerates highlights of Texas Tech games,
Techniques of motivating players and encouraging school spirit,
Describes Tech-Arkansas game of 1966,
Tech-Texas game of 1968 recalled,
Describes Tech stadium in 1935,
Practice of athletes and fans traveling by special trains to out-of-town
games.
Tape 2, Side 2: Various Tech coaches recalled,
Pete Cawthon characterized,
Techniques and innovations used,
Origin of "Red Raider" label explained,
Dell Morgan characterized,
Tech football during World War II,
DeWitt’s career explored,
Describes Texas Tech career of J. T. King,
King’s contributions discussed,
Frank Kimbrough’s coaching career recalled,
Warren Woodson characterized,
Explores tendency toward non-scholarship football programs.
Tape 3, Side 1: Pete Cawthon,
Colorful language,
Later religious convictions,
Berl Huffman,
Assistant to Pete Cawthon (1935-1940),
Appearance,
Personality,
Attitude towards losing,
Anecdote about after-game scrimmage,
Kicking players off the team,
Financial assistance to players,
Discipline,
Humanitarian.
Tape 3, Side 2: Blank
Tape 4, Side 1: (Unintelligible)
Tape 4, Side 2: Basketball teams,
New Mexico State,
Texas Tech,
Oklahoma A & M (now Oklahoma State),
Henry Ibey,
National champions,
Phillips 66 Oilers,
Texas Tech (1935-1942),
Air Corps (1942-1946),
Return to Texas Tech,
University of New Mexico,
Head Football Coach (1947-1952),
Texas Tech (1961-1972),
Coach J. T. King,
Freshman teams,
Road trips,
Skiing anecdote,
Officiating,
Detroit, Michigan trip (1936),
Rivalry,
"Old oil belt" teams,
High school sports,
Districts,
Coaching,
High school vs. college.
Tape 5, Side 1: Recruiting,
Transfer rules,
Homesick players,
Coach King,
Texas Tech,
Coach (1961-1972),
Changes,
University of New Mexico,
Coaching staff,
Games against Texas Tech,
Athletic program,
Older players,
Scholarships,
Military ball,
Athletes,
Herschel "Red" Ramsey,
Jim Neill,
"Moon" Martin,
Yancy Price,
Donny Anderson,
Dave Parks,
Pro-football (1930s),
Scouting,
Marshall Farmer college athlete,
High hurdles,
Anecdote,
World records set,
Amateur Athletic Union,
Shore Athletic Club,
Elmer Tarbox, football,
Richard White, basketball,
Lubbock High vs. Amarillo High schools,
Marriage.
Tape 5, Side 2: Blank
Tape 6, Side 1: [Mrs. Huffman joins in interview here],
Pete Cawthon-Character,
Concern,
Friendliness,
Coaching,
Team discipline,
Girl friends,
Rules,
Personal appearance,
Virginia Smith wife,
Team doctors,
Philosophy on winning,
[Tape is muffled and difficult to understand].
Tape 6, Side 2: Blank
Range Dates: 1920s-1972
Bulk Dates: 1930s-1972
Access Information
Original Recording Format:
Recording Format Notes:
Transcript:
Thank you for your interest in this oral history interview. Our oral history collection is available to patrons in the Southwest Collection's Reading Room, located on the campus of Texas Tech University. For reading room hours, visit our website. Please contact Reference Staff at least one week prior to your visit to ensure the oral history you are interested in will be available. Due to copyright issues, duplications of our oral histories can only be made for family members. If an oral history transcript has been made available online, the link will be provided on this page. More information on accessing our oral histories is located here. Preferred citation style can be found here.
