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New Memorial Stadium scoreboard dedicated to Freddie Steinmark
On this day in 1972, the new forty-seven-foot scoreboard at the University
of Texas's remodeled Memorial Stadium was dedicated to former Longhorn
football player Freddie Steinmark. Steinmark, born in Colorado in 1949,
played defensive back on the UT varsity during his sophomore and junior
years. As a sophomore he was the team's leading punt returner and was
named an All-Southwest Conference athlete-scholar. In December 1969, six
days after helping Texas defeat Arkansas in the "Big Shootout," Steinmark
was diagnosed with cancer in his left leg. Twenty days after doctors
amputated the limb, Steinmark, on crutches, attended the Cotton Bowl game
between Texas and Notre Dame, gaining national recognition for his
determination and stamina and becoming an inspiration to thousands of
cancer victims. The game, won by Texas, was dedicated to Steinmark by his
teammates. The university's board of regents took on responsibility for
Steinmark's medical and educational expenses, and friends and fans were
invited to contribute. The response to Steinmark's illness was nationwide.
In 1970, Steinmark received a special citation from President Nixon for
"steadfast faith in God, his country and himself." Despite extensive
therapy the disease continued to progress, and Steinmark died in June 1971.
- Links to Related Handbook of Texas Online Articles
- STEINMARK, FREDDIE JOE
- UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
- SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE
- COTTON BOWL
- Other Texas Day by Day Articles for This Date
- Texas folklorist born (1867)
- James Perry marries into Austin family (1824)
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