September 3, 2024
With school back in session and college football the major topic of discussion, I wanted to share some tidbits about Texas schools I gleaned while researching Seasons Under the Sun. You may already know these facts, but just read along as I share with others.
In chapter one, you will read that William plays baseball at Austin High School. Did you know Austin High School’s first day of classes was held in September 1881? The campus has been moved seven times with its current location constructed in 1974 on Cesar Chavez Street. The school mascot is Mr. Maroo, a giant maroon fuzzy creature. Why the Maroons? The students are called Maroons because of their team colors of maroon and white. In 1930, other city high schools thought Austin High should change their mascot to a name of an animal. The school refused and the Maroons proudly hail from Austin High to this day. When asked what is a Maroon? Simply answer…someone who wears maroon and boosts Austin High School.
The University of Texas located in Austin, Texas, was conceived in 1827 by the Congress of the Republic of Texas with the idea to open a public university in Texas. The university’s doors were finally opened in 1883. During WWII, students, faculty, and alumni left to participate in the war effort. The school calendar was compressed allowing seniors to graduate before departing for the service. Twenty-two university researchers contributed to the Manhattan Project, the nuclear weapons program. Today UT provides degrees in business, law, film, architecture, and engineering. In chapter one, Sam takes night classes in electrical engineering.
In chapter five, we follow William as he attends Baylor University and plays baseball for the Bears. Also, in chapter five we read that Emily opens a medical clinic at Mary Hardin-Baylor. Fun fact: Baylor was chartered in 1845 by the Congress of the Republic of Texas. Today it is a private Baptist research university and is affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Baylor is the largest Baptist university in the world. In 1851, the students were separated by sex, making the Baylor Female College an independent and separate institution. The all-male institution moved to Waco, Texas, and the all-female institution held classes in Belton, 42 miles away. Baylor Female College became known as the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in 1934. Both Baylor and Mary-Hardin Baylor are now coeducational institutions. During WWII, Baylor was one of 131 colleges and universities nationally that offered students a path to a Navy commission through the V-12 Navy College Training Program.
Did you know College Station’s Texas A&M University began in 1871 under the name Agriculture and Mechanical College of Texas? Despite its name, the college did not teach any classes in agriculture, but concentrated on classical studies, languages, literature, and applied mathematics. The student life was molded by the Corps of Cadets. The Corps was divided into a battalion of three companies, and the rivalry between the companies gave birth of the Aggie spirit and future traditions. However, no bonfires, yell practices, or athletic teams existed yet. Social clubs and fraternities were discouraged. Anyone wearing an Aggie ring will find this fact concerning no set traditions amazing! During WWII, Texas A&M produced over 20,000 combat troops, contributing more officers than both the United States Military Academy and United States Naval Academy combined.
Texas Technological College (Texas Tech University) was established by legislation in 1923 and opened its doors in 1925 with only six buildings and an enrollment of 914. It is the only campus in Texas that is home to a major university, law school, and a medical school. During WWII, 6,000 glider pilots trained at South Plains Army Airfield, now the site of Lubbock’s municipal airport. In chapter fourteen, Owen sends home a letter describing his experience as a pilot-in-training in Lubbock. Due to Lubbock’s flat terrain and mild weather, training facilities were established on 34th Street and 50th Street. Civilian pilots instructed the aviators as military pilots were serving abroad. Pilots took pre-training classes on the Tech campus and lived in one of the male dormitories. Due to the majority of Tech’s male professors joining the war effort, most classes were taught by women.
If your favorite Texas school is not mentioned above, I apologize. These schools/universities are mentioned in my book, or I found their school’s history during WWII interesting.
There’s nothing like Texas football. Wear your colors proudly. Until next time…