Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium at the University of Texas

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“FOR TEXAS, I WILL”

Head Football Coach Doc E. J. Stewart coined the phrase, “For Texas, I Will.” The idiom began as a coaching or motivation tool during the 1923 football season; however, it was then used as a rallying call for students, faculty, alumni, and legislators fundraising for Theo Bellmont and Lutcher Stark’s vision of a new athletic stadium. It was in these early stages of Bellmont’s plan and fundraising strategy that the name of the new stadium was decided to be Texas Memorial Stadium in honor of Texas veterans who lost their lives while serving in World War I.

A black and white photograph of a small stage and blackboard which keeps track of donation records for the construction of Texas Memorial Stadium.
Image credit: Texas Athletics Photo Collection at The Stark Center
A black and white photograph of head football coach Doc Stewart, a white man in a three piece suit with hat on.
Head Football Coach Doc E. J. Stewart, the 1926 edition of The Cactus
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