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Swindell and Calvin Schiraldi were both better pitchers during their time at the 40 acres than the Rocket....good for Swindell, he deserves it.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=3495788
AUSTIN, Texas -- The University of Texas will retire jersey numbers of nine athletes in three sports in ceremonies during the 2008-09 school year, Texas athletic director DeLoss Dodds announced Friday.
Included in the group will be football players Vince Young, Bobby Layne and Tommy Nobis; baseball players Greg Swindell, Burt Hooton, Scott Bryant and Brooks Kieschnick; and basketball players Kevin Durant and Slater Martin.
The school previously had retired only four numbers in school history -- former Heisman Trophy winners Earl Campbell (20) and Ricky Williams (34), Wooden Award winner T.J. Ford (11) and Roger Clemens (21). Clemens' number was worn until 1993 before it was retired. Swindell was among the players who wore the number between Clemens' graduation and the earlier jersey retirement.
The school formerly required a player to be honored as a national player of the year before his jersey was retired. That rule was amended to include several other deserving athletes, Dodds said.
"We've given this a lot of thought over the years," Dodds said. "With the completion of renovations at our football and baseball stadiums, as well as Kevin joining T.J. as a national player of the year, we feel that now is the right time to honor some of the greatest of our really great players."
Nobis, who played at the school from 1963-65 and won the Outland Award and the Maxwell Award as a senior, was particularly touched by his alma mater's announcement.
"The University of Texas stands for a lot more than just football, but I know how important football is there and we've had a lot of great teams and players," Nobis said. "When I think of all the players who have walked out onto that field, to be pulled out and recognized as one of the best is really special for me and my family."
Young, who led the Longhorns to their first undisputed national championship in 36 years in the 2005 season, also was excited with his honor.
"Man, I'm speechless," Young said. "I want to congratulate all of the UT legends who are having their jerseys retired in all of the sports. It's humbling to be among that group."
Swindell and Calvin Schiraldi were both better pitchers during their time at the 40 acres than the Rocket....good for Swindell, he deserves it.
Durant because of one year? I'm a fan of his, but I don't know about that.
why would you want to retire a jersey for a guy who only played 1 freaking year?
The guy did not ever come near graduating!!!!!!!
Way to show the love for academics......which is why people go to college!
One year and retired? Pathetic!
Nice to see them reaching back to the older guys like Nobis and Layne.
Good group.
I watched an old CWS on ESPN Classic with Swindell in it... man, that guy could throw. Of course, this was back in 1998 when ESPN-C used to show more things than "Who's No. 1?" and boxing.
One reason Durant's number is being retired: "The school formerly required a player to be honored as a national player of the year before his jersey was retired. That rule was amended to include several other deserving athletes, Dodds said."
Despite the rule change, Durant still was the national player of the year.
if you look at it that way........maybe he deserves it
Slater Martin, one of the best Texas' basketball players.
He is also one of my grandfather's friends.
Unanimously, I believe.
Kevin Durant does not deserve this.
I don't think Vince Young really deserves it.
Shows how little you know about Texas football. Forgetting the National Champsionship win? He should have won the Heisman too.
Until they get their degrees from the University of Texas they should not have their numbers retired.
Durant should not have his jersey retired. If he would have led UT to the championship, then I would feel differently about it.
its good for recruiting
I agree. Just because you win Player of the Year shouldn't guarantee you in. He only used Texas as a pit stop on the way to the NFL. If a 4 year player would of won it, even if they don't win a championship then I would understand.
rofl. check your sarcasm meter.
ehh, whatever. He's still taking classes at UT during the summer, and does radio interviews here in town. he could only have lost by staying and possibly getting injured. he was and still is good for the program.
Vince will have his degree after this summer.
Oh really? You mean USC didn't win 4 or 5 les in a row? I guess I should read something different than the LA Times or ESPN.
Yeah, I'm sure Rick Barnes recruited Kevin Durant as a student. I hate when people act like the NCAA is only about getting an education. Yes, lots of athletes get degrees and opportunities that otherwise would have been unattainable, but the top programs are filled with players that coaches know are only playing to get to pros, and education is secondary for them. It's just as fake as the NCAA pretending that the student athletes are more important then the money they make.
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