AN ORAL HISTORY OF THE BIG 12’S EARLY YEARS: TEXAS TECH LEGENDS SHARE THEIR STORIES
The Big 12 Conference has a rich and fascinating history, spanning over two decades. To celebrate this legacy, an oral history project was recently undertaken, featuring interviews with some of the most iconic figures from Texas Tech University. Spike Dykes, John Montford, Gerald Myers, and Bob Bockrath shared their insights and experiences, providing a unique glimpse into the conference’s early years.
The project, which was conducted over several months, aimed to capture the stories and memories of these Texas Tech legends. The interviews were conducted in-depth, allowing the participants to share their thoughts and reflections on the Big 12’s formation, its early challenges, and its eventual success.
Spike Dykes, the former Texas Tech football coach, was one of the first to be interviewed. Dykes shared his memories of the conference’s early days, including the initial meetings and discussions that led to the Big 12’s formation. “It was an exciting time,” Dykes recalled. “We knew we were creating something special.”
John Montford, the former Texas Tech chancellor, also participated in the project. Montford provided valuable insights into the conference’s early years, including the challenges faced by the member institutions. “We had to work together to overcome our differences,” Montford said. “But in the end, it was worth it.”
Gerald Myers, the former Texas Tech basketball coach, shared his thoughts on the conference’s impact on college basketball. Myers, who won 326 games during his tenure at Texas Tech, credited the Big 12 with raising the profile of college basketball in the region. “The Big 12 brought a new level of competition and exposure to our program,” Myers said.
Bob Bockrath, the former Texas Tech athletic director, also contributed to the project. Bockrath shared his memories of the conference’s early years, including the negotiations and discussions that led to the Big 12’s formation. “It was a complex process,” Bockrath recalled. “But we were determined to make it work.”
The oral history project provides a unique perspective on the Big 12’s early years, highlighting the challenges, successes, and personalities that shaped the conference. By sharing their stories and experiences, Dykes, Montford, Myers, and Bockrath have helped to create a lasting record of the Big 12’s history.
The project’s organizers hope that the oral history will serve as a valuable resource for researchers, historians, and fans of the Big 12. By preserving the memories and experiences of these Texas Tech legends, the project aims to ensure that the conference’s rich history is not forgotten.
In addition to the interviews, the project also includes a collection of photographs, documents, and other artifacts related to the Big 12’s early years. These materials provide a visual complement to the oral history, helping to bring the conference’s story to life.
The oral history project is a testament to the enduring legacy of the Big 12 Conference. By sharing their stories and experiences, Dykes, Montford, Myers, and Bockrath have helped to create a lasting record of the conference’s history, one that will be cherished by fans and historians for generations to come.
The project’s organizers are grateful to Dykes, Montford, Myers, and Bockrath for their participation and contributions. Their insights and experiences have helped to create a rich and fascinating oral history, one that will be treasured by the Texas Tech community and the Big 12 Conference as a whole.
The oral history project will be preserved and made available to the public through the Texas Tech University Archives. Researchers and historians will be able to access the interviews, photographs, and other materials, providing a valuable resource for studying the Big 12’s history.
In the future, the project’s organizers hope to expand the oral history to include interviews with other key figures from the Big 12’s early years. By continuing to collect and preserve the stories and experiences of those who shaped the conference, the project aims to create a comprehensive and lasting record of the Big 12’s history.
The oral history project is a celebration of the Big 12 Conference’s rich heritage and tradition. By sharing the stories and experiences of Dykes, Montford, Myers, and Bockrath, the project provides a unique glimpse into the conference’s early years, highlighting the challenges, successes, and personalities that shaped the Big 12 into the thriving conference it is today.
