Episode Overview
In this inaugural episode, veteran sports enthusiasts Manuel Flores and Randy Lynch introduce a new series dedicated to the games, coaches, athletes, and rivalries that define the history of South Texas sports. The hosts bridge the gap between Kingsville, Texas, and Orange County, California, to share personal anecdotes and legendary tales from the past 50 years.
Host Biographies
- Manuel Flores: A South Texas native born and raised in Hebbronville. He is a former sports writer for the San Antonio Express, Dallas Morning News, and the Corpus Christi Caller-Times. He has also hosted sports radio shows and provided play-by-play for high school games.
- Randy Lynch: Former alumni director at Texas A&I in the 1970s and a former color commentator for the “Andy and Randy show” alongside Andy Cook.
Key Highlights & Stories
- Celebrating Current Success: The hosts congratulate the Calallen Wildcats softball program for their historic run, including three consecutive state championships.
- The Golden Age of Corpus Christi Football: Discussion on the rare back-to-back state titles won by Corpus Christi Ray (1959) and Corpus Christi Miller (1960), as well as the 1959 Del Mar College team that won the Rose Bowl.
- The Legend of Gil Steinke: Memories of the iconic Texas A&I coach who led the team to six national championships between 1954 and 1977. Stories include his unique habit of coaching from the student stands to see the field better and his resilience while coaching through severe back pain.
- Havalina Football Classics:
- The 25-25 tie against Abilene Christian, where the Havalinas overcame a 25-point deficit in the fourth quarter.
- John Cardo’s game-winning field goal against top-ranked Southwest Texas State, kicked with a broken toe.
- Breaking Barriers: The story of Sid Blanks, the first African-American football player in a major college program in the southeastern United States.
- Hurricane Beulah: A look back at “The night the lights went out in Kingsville,” describing how the 1967 hurricane destroyed the stadium lights and forced games to be played during the day.
- South Texas Icons: Brief mentions of legendary figures like Ronnie Bull (Bishop), Gene Upshaw (Robstown), Olympic medalist Bobby Morrow, and the multi-talented Riley Odoms (West Oso).
Memorable Quote
“We are telling these stories so that they continue to live on… South Texas sports is very memorable and has many stories.” — Manuel Flores
Connect with the Show
The hosts invite listeners to share their own sports memories or ask questions by emailing Manuel Flores at manuef78407@yahoo.com.
Producer: Chris Doelle, Lone Star Podcast Network.