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

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

4 December 1883


TEXAS TRIES FOOTBALL

Football has long been a major part of the culture on the University of Texas campus, but in the early years of the university and the sport, a little time and perseverance was necessary for football to truly take root on The Forty Acres. Within three months of formally opening the university, a group of students decided to organize the university’s first-ever football game. At the time, the sport of football was still in its infant stages and none of the would-be players had ever seen an actual football game. There was no one remotely qualified to referee and finding another team to play proved difficult. But law student Yancey Lewis—along with other University of Texas students interested in the sport of football—eventually arranged a game against students from the Bickler School, a private preparatory academy in downtown Austin. The teams spent a week learning the rules of the game and practicing. The event took place on a section of pastureland near the present-day location of the Blanton Museum of Art. The Bickler school won, two goals to none, and the University of Texas lost all interest in football for the rest of the school year. Yancey Lewis was a member of the first graduating class from the Law Department in 1885 and, on commencement day, drafted the constitution for the Ex-Students’ Association along with R. C. Walker and J. H. Cobb. Lewis returned to the Forty Acres in 1901 when he was offered a faculty position in the Law Department, and in 1902 was appointed Dean, a position he held until resigning in 1904 to return to private practice.

Image credit: Yancey Lewis; this photo appeared in the May 1915 issue of the Alcalde.

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30 November 1893

A faded cover of a program with text reading: Football Match University of Texas Football Club vs. Dallas Foot Ball Club Exposition Grounds, Dallas Thanksgiving Day at 2:30 o'clock Thursday, November 30, 1893


THE FIRST BIG GAME

An official University of Texas football team competed against the Dallas Athletic Club, who promoted themselves as the unofficial champions of Texas. The game took place on Thanksgiving Day, 30 November 1893, at the Dallas Fair Grounds with 2,000 spectators in attendance. The University of Texas team pulled off an 18-16 upset victory over the “state champion” team from Dallas. An unnamed Morning News writer who covered the Dallas team wrote of this game, “This tale is of woe to Dallasites and bright to the Austinians. ‘Our name is pants and our glory has departed,’ said Tom Monagan as he pulled his overcoat over his sweater yesterday afternoon, jerked his cap down over his eyes, wiped the blood off his face and started for home by the unseen route. Tommie was but a type of a glorious band of eleven warriors who went out to victory with banners flying and pretty girls to look on and a big gang of whoopers on the side. They were not as handsome when they came home in the evening but they had learned something.”

Image credit: Texas Athletics Media Archive at The Stark Center

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30 December 1893

A black and white photo of the 1893 University of Texas Football team: 12 white men, nine of whom where white uniforms, one wears a suit, and two wear black turtle neck sweaters.

THE FIRST “HOME” GAME

On 16 December 1893, 600 spectators attended the University of Texas’ first organized “home” football game, which featured the University of Texas against the Football Club of San Antonio. The contest was played on professionally groomed fields at the new Zoo Park that ran along the Colorado River. This site is now occupied by the LCRA office complex next to the Tom Miller Dam.

Image credit: Texas Athletics Photo Collection at The Stark Center

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1894

A black and white photo of the Elisabet Ney Museum in Austin Texas, a home built of white stone that resembles a very small castle.

A MOVE TO HYDE PARK

In 1894, a roped-off field two miles north of campus became the new home for University of Texas football. The site of this field was near the home of sculptor Elisabet Ney—which was preserved as a museum following her death in 1907—at what is now 44th Street and Duval Street in the Hyde Park neighborhood.


Image credit: [Exterior of Elisabet Ney Museum], photograph, 19uu;(https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth124934/: accessed November 6, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Austin History Center, Austin Public Library.

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1895

A black and white photo of a middle-aged white man in bow tie and jacket. He is balding and has a mustache.

PUSHING FOR A MORE PERMANENT VENUE

Football fan and chemistry professor Edgar Everhart began to campaign for the construction of a permanent stadium just east of campus. He and others had grown tired of the trek to Hyde Park. Unfortunately, the project stalled out when Professor Everhart left the University of Texas.


Image credit: Professor Edgar Everhart, from Notable Men of Atlanta and Georgia, 1913

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1 November 1899

A color photo of a promissory note from 1899 framed in a brown wood frame.

THE FIRST PAYMENT

In 1899, University of Texas students began playing and practicing football on a three-and-a-half-acre vacant lot east of campus on 24th Street and Speedway. The lot’s owner, only named in our research as Mr. de Cordova, requested that the University purchase the real estate for $3,000; otherwise, he intended to divide the property and sell it in pieces. The UT students raised $1,300 and, on their behalf, the faculty made the first $1000 payment to the City “National Bank of Austin” who held the note for what they began calling “Varsity Field.”


Image credit: From the Texas Athletics Collection at the Stark Center

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1901

A sepia toned photograph shows a parade of people, maybe a marching band, performing on Clark Field at half time of the 1906 football game between Texas and A&M.

PAID IN FULL

In 1901, the University of Texas Board of Regents made the last payment in the $3,000 purchase of Mr. de Cordova’s vacant lot and Varsity Field officially became the property of the University of Texas.


Image credit: Believed to be the 1906 Texas v Texas A&M football game, Thanksgiving Day in 1906 would have been 22 November, 1906 was the first season in which the forward pass was permitted. Texas beat the undefeated A&M team 24-0, scoring a second half touchdown on a forward pass from Winston McMahon to Bowie Duncan, from the Texas Athletics Photo Collection at The Stark Center

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1904

A black and white portrait of an elderly white man who is mostly bald with a long goatee and wearing a bow tie and suit.

NAMING THE NEW FIELD

In student newspaper articles and a letter writing campaign, then editor of the Daily Texan, D.A. Frank began referring to the new football field as Clark Field in the hopes of honoring “Judge” James Clark, who was noted to be a proctor, librarian, bursar, registrar, groundskeeper, and friend to all. The campaign ultimately worked and “Clark Field” became the official name of the University of Texas football field. 


Image credit: “Judge” James Clark, the 1906 edition of The Cactus

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28 November 1907

A black and white photo of football being played between Texas and Texas A&M, the angle looks level out onto the field at the line of scrimmage.

THE EARLY DAYS OF RIVALRY

Two days after Thanksgiving, The University of Texas played Texas A&M in a home football game at Clark Field which drew 6,000 fans. This was more than the stadium’s capacity, despite bringing in extra stands for the event. Although, Texas A&M had not lost during the 1907 season, they tied Texas in an earlier game that took place in Dallas. In their second match up of the season, Texas beat A&M 11-6, officially spoiling their undefeated season.


Image credit: Believed to be an action shot from the 1907 Texas v Texas A&M football game, Texas Athletics Photo Collection at The Stark Center

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1910

A black and white team photo of the Texas football team in 1910 with manager Lutcher Stark in the second row from the top and standing on the far right.

LUTCHER STARK ON THE SCENE

In 1910, while a senior at the University of Texas, H.J. Lutcher Stark became the manager of the football team, a job that included assisting with negotiations to determine which teams the squad—then known simply as the Texas Varsity, or Steers—would play. Following graduation, Lutcher remained vitally involved with the Texas football team, and in 1913 he donated warm-up blankets for the players with the word “Longhorns” embroidered on them. Shortly after that gift, the University of Texas football team officially came to be known as the Longhorns. At the age of thirty-two, Lutcher Stark was appointed to the University’s Board of Regents, serving for twenty-four years, twelve as chairman. More than any other person, Stark put the University of Texas on the path to athletic greatness. During his many years as a member and chairman of the UT Board of Regents, Lutcher Stark made countless contributions to the university. He served as a regent longer than any other person ever has, and for decades he gave both time and treasure to the university he loved.


Image credit: 1910 University of Texas Football Team, Texas Athletics Photo Collection at The Stark Center

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1913

A black and white photo of L. Theo Bellmont in a bow tie and suit. He is clean shaven and his hair is light gray in color.

THE UNIVERSITY’S FIRST ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

Lutcher Stark convinced the Board of Regents to hire L. Theo Bellmont as the first ever Athletic Director at The University of Texas. Apart from his role as Athletic Director, Bellmont’s duties included overseeing Physical Education and Physical Training programs for the university students who were not on varsity athletic teams. Later, with Athletic Director Theo Bellmont’s help, Lutcher Stark conceived the idea of a colossal athletic stadium which would stand as a memorial to those Texans who lost their lives while serving in World War I. Of course, Stark also led the fundraising campaign to construct the stadium.


Image credit: L. Theo Bellmont, Texas Athletics Photo Collection at The Stark Center

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25 November 1923

A black and white photograph of a small stage and blackboard which keeps track of donation records for the construction of Texas Memorial Stadium.

“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.


Image credit: Texas Athletics Photo Collection at The Stark Center

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4 April 1924

Black and white photos of the construction process of Texas Memorial Stadium in 1924.

BREAKING GROUND

The University of Texas broke ground on the construction of Texas Memorial Stadium on 4 April 1924.


Image credit: From the 1925 edition of The Cactus

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20 June 1924

POURING CONCRETE

The first pour of concrete for Texas Memorial Stadium was on 20 June 1924.


Image credit: Texas Athletics Photo Collection at The Stark Center

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3 October 1924

A black and white photo of the 1925 Texas Longhorn football team practicing inside Texas Memorial Stadium.

THE FIRST PRACTICE

On 3 October 1924, the Texas Longhorn football team practiced inside Texas Memorial Stadium for the first time.


Image credit: From the 1926 edition of The Cactus

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25 October 1924

A black and white photo of Texas vs Florida, lining up to play football in 1924.

THE LAST VARSITY GAME AT CLARK FIELD

On 25 October 1924, the Texas Longhorn varsity football team played its final game at Clark Field. The Longhorns tied the Florida Gators 7-7.


Image credit: 1924 Texas v Florida, from the 1925 edition of The Cactus

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8 November 1924

A black and white team photo of the Texas Longhorn football team in 1924.

THE FIRST GAME AT TEXAS MEMORIAL STADIUM

On 8 November 1924, the Texas Longhorn football team hosted the Baylor Bears for the first ever game inside the brand new—and not yet finished—Texas Memorial Stadium. Baylor won 28-10 and went on to become Southwest Conference Champions that year.


Image credit: 1924 Team Photo, From the 1925 edition of The Cactus

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26 November 1924

Black and white portrait of Louis Jordan while a student at the University of Texas.

FLAG POLE DEDICATION

The day before the dedication game, the University of Texas dedicated the flagpole at Texas Memorial Stadium in honor of Louis Jordan, the first Texas officer to be killed in action while serving in World War I. Jordan played on the University of Texas football team from 1911 to 1914 and was the first University of Texas football player to be selected as an All-American. He was among the first four individuals—and the first athlete—to be inducted into the Longhorn Hall of Honor. The flagpole was purchased and donated by the people of Fredericksburg, Texas, Louis Jordan’s hometown. One fifth of the University’s male students and faculty enlisted to fight in World War I. Football lettermen Jordan, Edmond, Kane, Wallace, Gree, and Higginbotham were among ninety-one of the University’s students, alumni, and faculty who gave their lives in service.


Image credit: Louis Jordan, Texas Athletics Photo Collection at The Stark Center

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27 November 1924

A black and white aerial photo of Texas Memorial Stadium in 1924 during the dedication game. A band or formation of people in the iconic Texas 'T' at center field.

TEXAS MEMORIAL STADIUM’S DEDICATION GAME

Texas Memorial Stadium was officially dedicated in a Thanksgiving Day game between the University of Texas and Texas A&M University. The Longhorns won 7-0 in front of a crowd that filled 27,000 seats. On game day, however, Texas Memorial Stadium, which was already being billed as “the Greatest Stadium in the South,” was not yet fully constructed.


Image credit: 1924 Dedication Game, Texas v Texas A&M, from the Texas Athletics Photo Collection at The Stark Center

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27 November 1924

A two-page spread advertising Walsh & Burney General Contractors in the 1924 Dedication Game program with a photo of Texas Memorial Stadium.

MORE TO BE DONE

The official program for the dedication game between Texas and Texas A&M included articles detailing what fans could expect in the finished version of the stadium: the stadium will cover thirteen acres with a seating capacity of 50,000 (this seating capacity was not achieved in the first iterations of Texas Memorial Stadium); four towers on the corners of the stadium will be over seventy feet high and will be ornamented with emblems symbolic of Texas and Texans; fourteen entrances and exits to the stadium; a press box with tables and room for fifty correspondents. To this date, construction had already used 6,000 barrels of cement, 2,000 cubic yards of sand, 4,000 cubic yards of gravel, 300 tons of steel, and 500,000 board feet—or thirty carloads—of lumber (all from the Starks in Orange, Texas, naturally). A crew of 200 men was used throughout the construction of the stadium. Companies that had been hired or contributed to the construction of Texas Memorial Stadium proudly advertised their services and roles in the project, none larger than this full-spread ad from Walsh & Burney General Contractors.


Image credit: From the 1924 game day program for the dedication game of Texas Memorial Stadium, 27 November 1924 Texas v Texas A&M

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1926

A black and white photo of Texas Memorial Stadium in 1926 when the stadium became a horseshoe-shape.

MAKING A HORSESHOE

In 1926, the North end of the stadium was enclosed to make a horseshoe-style stadium. The project cost $125,000 and increased capacity to 40,500 spectators.


Image credit: Texas Athletics Photo Collection at The Stark Center

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18 September 1948

A black and white page from the Cactus with game photos and text about the rededication game between Texas and LSU in 1948.

REDEDICATION I

On 18 September 1948, the University of Texas Athletics Council rededicated the newly expanded Texas Memorial Stadium to honor the men and women killed in World War II. The next day, the Texas Longhorns hosted the Louisiana State Tigers football team and trounced them 33-0 in front of a crowd that was 47,000 spectators strong.


Image credit: 1948 Texas v LSU, From the 1949 edition of The Cactus

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1948

A black and white photo of the 1949 football game between the University of Texas Longhorns and the University of New Mexico.

BIG EXPANSIONS

In 1948, twenty-six rows of seating were added to the east and west stands, plus sections added to the south ends of both the east and west stands. This raised capacity to 60,136 spectators.


Image credit: 1948 Texas v UNM, From the 1949 edition of The Cactus

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17 September 1955

A black and white photograph showing the newly added flood lights on both the east and west sides of Texas Memorial Stadium in 1955.

LIGHT UP THE FIELD

The University of Texas added eight 100-foot-tall light towers at a total cost of $200,000, allowing for the first ever night game at Texas Memorial Stadium.


Image credit: Texas Athletics Photo Collection at The Stark Center

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27 September 1969

The cover of the 1969 Texas v Texas Tech football game in which a cartoon longhorn is rolling up a cartoon red raider in astroturf.

FROM GRASS TO TURF

The University of Texas replaced the grass field with an artificial turf. The first game on turf is played at Texas Memorial Stadium on 27 September 1969. Texas beat Texas Tech, 49-7.


Image credit: Cover of the program for the 1969 Texas v Texas Tech football game, From the Texas Athletics Media Archive at The Stark Center

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1971

WEST SIDE UPPER DECK

The construction of an upper deck on the west side of Texas Memorial Stadium was completed in 1972. This raised seating capacity to 75,504. The artificial turf, a rubber track, and aluminum seats were also installed as part of this expansion project.


Image credit: Texas Athletics Photo Collection at The Stark Center

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1972

A black and white photo of Bellmont Hall on the University of Texas campus in 1972.

BELLMONT HALL

In 1972, The University of Texas opened Bellmont Hall—named for the University’s first athletic director L. Theo Bellmont—which was built into the support structure of the west side upper deck at Texas Memorial Stadium. Bellmont Hall stands 500 feet tall with 11 floors and was originally constructed to house Texas Athletics offices, physical education facilities, and lecture halls.


Image credit: Texas Athletics Photo Collection at The Stark Center

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1977

A black and white scan of a page from the program for the 1977 Texas v TCU football game.

REDEDICATION II

In 1977, The University of Texas rededicated Texas Memorial Stadium to honor the memory of American veterans of all wars.


Image credit: 1977 Texas v TCU game day program, From the Texas Athletics Media Archive at The Stark Center

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1986

Black and white photo of the Neuhaus - Royal Athletic Center, a concrete edifice with chain link fence on roof.

AN ATHLETIC CENTER AT THE SOUTH END

Completed in 1986 at a cost of $7 million, the Vernon F. “Doc” Neuhaus–Darrell K Royal Athletic Center backed into the south end of the stadium. The facility included locker rooms, coaches’ offices, lecture rooms, a weight room, and a seventy-yard practice field. The center later came to be known as Moncrief Hall in honor of W.A. “Tex” Moncrief.


Image credit: Texas Athletics Photo Collection at The Stark Center

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1989

An aerial color photo of Texas Memorial Stadium in 1989 as the Longhorn football team takes the field.

AN ANIMATED SCOREBOARD

A four-color animated scoreboard was installed at the north end of the stadium.


Image credit: Texas Athletics Photo Collection at The Stark Center

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1996

Darrell Royal stands in front of Texas Memorial Stadium where they have added his name Darrell K Royal.

ADDING DKR

The University of Texas honored legendary football coach Darrell K Royal by adding his name to Texas Memorial Stadium, making it officially known as Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium, or colloquially as DKR–Texas Memorial Stadium. A hyphen was included in the naming to mark a distinction between Coach Royal and the Memorial to American veterans.


Image credit: Darrell K Royal, Texas Athletics Photo Collection at The Stark Center

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1996

A color photo of Ricky Williams rushing with the football on the grass field at Texas Memorial Stadium

BACK TO GRASS; A JUMBOTRON

The artificial turf was removed and natural grass was brought back in for the cost of $1.25 million. A jumbotron video system was installed and all scoreboards were retrofitted for the cost of $2.8 million.


Image credit: Ricky Williams, Texas Athletics Photo Collection at The Stark Center

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1997

Joe Jamail and Darrell K Royal stand on the sidelines of a University of Texas football game and pose for a photo together by holding up the hook em hand gesture.

JOE JAMAIL FIELD

In 1997, The University of Texas named the playing field at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium in honor of Joe Jamail, who completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at UT in 1950, after serving in World War II. Jamail went to law school at Rice University and moved back to Austin where he became the wealthiest practicing attorney in America. Joe Jamail made many large gifts to the University of Texas, most notably a $15 million dollar gift in 2008 to support the law school, nursing school, and college of undergraduate studies. This same year, fourteen stadium suites were added to the west side of the stadium and the total capacity at this time increased to 75,512.


Image credit: Joe Jamail and Darrell K Royal, Texas Athletics Photo Collection at The Stark Center

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1998

An aerial color photograph of DKR Texas Memorial Stadium in 1998 when the east side upper deck was completed.

EAST SIDE UPPER DECK

The east side of the stadium added an upper deck with fifty-two new stadium suites and a 13,000 square foot private club room. 3,959 seats were added, bringing the stadium’s total capacity to 79,471 spectators.


Image credit: Texas Athletics Photo Collection at The Stark Center

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1999

An aerial color photo of DKR Texas Memorial Stadium in 1999 after the track was removed from the stadium.

REMOVING THE TRACK

Following the 1998 football season, the track was removed from DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium and the stadium floor was excavated six feet deeper into the ground, which allowed for stands to extend out toward the field, increasing seating capacity to 80,082 spectators.


Image credit: Texas Athletics Photo Collection at The Stark Center

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2006

An aerial color photo of the newly installed godzillatron at the south end of DKR Texas Memorial Football Stadium

GODZILLATRON

At the time of its installation, the “Godzillatron” HD Daktronics LED scoreboard was the largest HD video screen in the world. “Godzillatron” was installed in the south end zone for a cost of $8 million. Seating was also added, bringing total capacity up to 85,123 spectators.


Image credit: Texas Athletics Photo Collection at The Stark Center

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2009

A color photo of DKR Texas Memorial Stadium looking at the south end of the field where the new "godzillatron" has been installed.

A FOOTBALL ACADEMIC CENTER AND HALL OF FAME

The University of Texas spent $27 million for a new Football Academic Center and a Hall of Fame. The bleachers at the south end of the stadium were removed and replaced with permanent seating, bringing the total capacity to 100,119 spectators. The grass field was also replaced with a new “FieldTurf” surface, a brand of artificial turf designed to replicate the performance of a natural grass surface.


Image credit: Texas Athletics Photo Collection at The Stark Center

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2020

A color photo of Earl Campbell (seated) and Ricky Williams standing together on the newly named Campbell-Williams Field at DKR Texas Memorial Stadium

CAMPBELL-WILLIAMS FIELD

In 2020, the Jamail family requested that Joe Jamail Field be renamed in honor of Heisman Trophy winners Earl Campbell and Ricky Williams. The University of Texas also unveils a new statue outside the North End Zone honoring Julius Whittier, the first Black letterman at The University of Texas.


Image credit: Earl Campbell and Ricky Williams, Texas Athletics Photo Collection at The Stark Center

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August 2021

A color photo from the upper reach of the west side upper deck at DKR Texas Memorial Stadium during the 2024 football game against Colorado State.

FULLY ENCLOSED

In August 2021, the South End Zone expansion project was officially completed. This $175-million project fully enclosed the stadium in a bowl, enhanced fan experience, added luxury suites, a new video board, and a 106,000 square foot training facility amongst other upgrades and additions. The stadium’s total seating capacity now stands at 100,119.


Image credit: 2024 Texas v Colorado State, From the Texas Athletics Photo Collection at The Stark Center

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16 September 2023

A night time photograph of DKR Texas Memorial Stadium while the burnt orange LEDs flood the field and stands in orange light.

LIGHT UP THE FIELD: BURNT ORANGE EDITION

New LED light fixtures—256 in total—made their debut in a game against Wyoming. The new fixtures allow for different colors of light for an array of different effects. In the stretch between the end of the third quarter and start of the fourth quarter, fans are treated to a light show that floods the entire stadium in Texas’ signature burnt orange. For this first presentation of the new lights, Texas Athletics incorporated orange smoke—inspired by the local Major League Soccer team Austin FC—and even an orange and white drone show featuring Texas-themed icons and imagery for a storytelling effect. The lights are programmed to shine red, white, and blue during the singing of the national anthem and “Deep in the Heart of Texas.”


Image credit: Texas Athletics Photo Collection at The Stark Center

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19 October 2024

An aerial color photo of DKR Texas Memorial Stadium during the Texas v Georgia football game in 2024. Fireworks are going off at either end of the stadium.

NEW ATTENDANCE RECORD

The attendance record at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium is set this season in a game against the University of Georgia Bulldogs. 105,215 people attended the game.


Image credit: 2024 Texas v Georgia, From the Texas Athletics Photo Collection at The Stark Center

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30 November 2024

A color photo of a UT football player pushing into a pile and fighting to cross the goal line against a Texas A&M defense.

RIVALRY RENEWED

This season is the first that the Texas Longhorns will compete in the Southeast Conference. By leaving the Big 12 Conference and joining the SEC, Texas renewed their long held rivalry with Texas A&M University. On 30 November 2024—two days after Thanksgiving—the Texas Longhorns will play a football game against the Texas A&M Aggies for the first time in thirteen years. This, of course, seems to serendipitously align with the 100th anniversary of Texas Memorial Stadium’s dedication game, a Thanksgiving Day game between Texas and Texas A&M that took place on 27 November 1924. The Longhorns won 7-0.


Image credit: 2010, the last Texas v A&M game played at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium, From the Texas Athletics Photo Collection at The Stark Center

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