Feb. 7, 2003
This is another "B" Line column, a periodic collection of news items of particular interest to members of the Baylor "B" Association. Contribute news about you or your teammates via e-mail to Lee Harrington (leenelaine@281.com), Dutch Schroeder (Dutch_Schroeder@baylor.edu), Reba Cooper (Reba_Cooper@baylor.edu) or Jack Loftis (Jack.Loftis@chron.com). The mailing address is Baylor "B" Association, P. O. Box 8120, Waco, TX 76714
Ronnie Goodwin, the newly installed president of the Baylor "B" Association, plans on "Athletes Helping Athletes" being the theme of his year in office.
Though not the official motto of the "B" Association, the phrase has been around for a number of years. But Goodwin believes in it so strongly that he had it added to the organization's new letterhead stationary, which he immediately utilized in sending a message to all Baylor letter winners that unity, loyalty, fellowship and participation are the elements necessary for the "B" Association to move forward. He says he is interested in helping and honoring both former BU athletes and those participating in Baylor athletics today.
"I want us to be "Athletes Helping Athletes,' whether it is helping those letter winners who have financial or health problems or those athletes now on campus," he said. "We need to be meeting with every coach and athlete so they will know what we are about and will want to be one of us."
San Angelo attorney . . .
Goodwin, an attorney in San Angelo, was a two-sport standout at Baylor from 1959 through 1962. Upon graduating he had a chance to play professional baseball or football, choosing the latter "because the Philadelphia Eagles gave me a no-cut contract." Used both as a running back and wide receiver at Baylor, Goodwin utilized his pass-catching skills to play six years for the Eagles, making the NFL All-Rookie team in 1963.
Goodwin, a hard-hitting shortstop, says that had he not chosen football he probably would have signed a contract offered to him by the New York Yankees. He lettered in baseball and football as a Baylor freshman and the following three years as a varsity player.
Outside of the 1962 season, when he was slowed by a football injury, Goodwin made All-Southwest Conference in both sports, leading the SWC in hitting his sophomore year. On the gridiron he was named SWC Sophomore Player of the Year and played in the East-West Shrine Game, the Hula Bowl and the All-American Bowl.
Goodwin attended Baylor Law School between NFL seasons and says his fondest memory of Baylor is the many friends he made while on campus.
Another was in baseball. "We were playing Texas A&M and in spite of the loud hazing by the Aggie football players, I hit two home runs while going four for five at the plate," Goodwin said.
Good, bad in Gator . . .
However, he has mixed feelings about the 1960 Gator Bowl, in which he caught a record seven passes (for 129 yards and one touchdown) in Baylor's 13-12 loss to Florida. "But in the same game, I failed to hold on to a pass which was a little behind me in the end zone," he admits. "It would have won the game."
Goodwin is a native of Odessa and says nothing too remarkable happened to him while playing football there. "It was before Odessa Permian," he explains.
But Goodwin's athletic concerns now focus on the "B" Association, its new constitution and long-range planning.
"My goal for the association is the same that every president has had," he said. "I want to have as many 'letterpersons' as possible participating in association activities. I hope to bring back the older members - as my Uncle Jack used to say, 'Getting old ain't for sissies' - and to solicit and encourage the younger athletes to join and be active."
JACK LOFTIS
CHAIRMAN
COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE
