Bill Little, legendary Hall of Fame athletic communicator who had an illustrious 50-plus-year career at the University of Texas, passed away August 18 at the age of 81. An active CSC member in retirement until his final days, Little was a past president of CSC and was a 1992 CSC Hall of Fame inductee. An author or co-author of nine books on Texas and college athletics, he also earned a multitude of writing awards in his career from CSC and other national organizations.
The Celebration of Life service for Little will take place Sunday, October 1, at 2:30 p.m. CT at the Lady Bird Johnson Auditorium in the LBJ Library (2405 Robert Dedman Drive, Austin, TX 78712) on The University of Texas campus. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages contributions to three of Little's favorite organizations: Friends of the Daily Texan, which ensures long-term funding of scholarships for staff members of The Daily Texan; the Texas Exes Cheer and Pom Alumni Network Operating Endowment; and Hospice Austin.
Also Read
•
Legendary Longhorn Administrator Bill Little passes away (texassports.com)
•
Bohls: Bill Little leaves behind a legacy of information and passion for all things Texas (statesman.com, subscriber only)
In Memoriam: Tributes to Bill Little: A Legend and Giant In Our Profession
by Barb Kowal – CSC Director of Professional Development and External Affairs
This week, the college sports world lost one of the legends in athletic communications — CSC Hall of Famer
Bill Little, a past president of our organization, an advocate for our organization and the importance of the SID role during his career and throughout retirement, and a prominent athletic administrator, gifted storyteller and historian extraordinaire at the University of Texas for over 50 years.
As the tributes to Bill have poured in from across the nation, former CSC presidents and colleagues of Bill have contributed their thoughts on his impact in college sports.
“Bill Little was a giant in our field of athletic communications. He dedicated most of his professional life to the University of Texas, earning the respect from everyone he touched and was a former President of our organization. But what I will remember most about Bill is that he had a smile for everyone whether on the job or off it. That’s a quality all of us can emulate.” - John Paquette, BIG EAST Conference Senior Associate Commissioner and current CSC President
"Bill was truly a gentleman and a legend — a leader in our field and for college sports. He was a friend when I worked at the NCAA, and he was a strong supporter of my role now and a huge advocate of our organization, including with our rebranding and future direction. We are better as an organization and as a profession because of Bill." - Erik Christianson, CSC Executive Director
Little, who always stated that “athletics is the front porch of every university,” was the face — and often the voice — of Longhorn Athletics for over five decades. He served UT in many capacities: first as assistant sports information director under the legendary Jones Ramsey (another CSC Hall of Famer), then as sports information director, as special assistant to the Athletics Director, as assistant AD for external communications, then as head of communications for (former) football head coach Mack Brown. He worked with five UT football coaches, five basketball coaches and four athletic directors. Decades of Longhorn football, men’s and women’s basketball and baseball fans can recall his voice that they heard via his public address roles, on radio broadcasts, and emceeing banquets and events.
During that time, Bill earned an impressive array of honors, and led the CSC (CoSIDA) organization as president in 1988-89. He was inducted into the CSC Hall of Fame in 1992 and was inducted into the Longhorn Hall of Honor a year later (1993). Among his numerous CSC accolades, Little earned the 1996 Lester Jordan Award for contributions to the Academic All-America program; the 1998 Arch Ward Award, given for outstanding contributions to the profession by a university (Division I) member; and a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016. The FWAA honored him with their Lifetime Achievement award in 2015 and the baseball world recognized him with the 1991 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association’s Wilbur Snypp Award for outstanding contributions to college baseball.
A storyteller par excellence, Little earned an array of national writing awards from CSC throughout his tenure. He also was the author or co-author of nine books on UT and college athletics, and his columns, commentary and feature stories were “must-reads” in game programs and on the Longhorns website.
Over the past few days, tributes to Bill have poured in from UT administrators and student-athletes past and present, the national media, and hundreds of CSC members who were peers, colleagues and mentees of Little.
As a 13-year colleague of Bill at UT, I share in these sentiments and rememberances. Always a gentleman with a smile (and strong principles!), Bill was a terrific colleague, a tremendously gifted storyteller, bled Orange and White, mentored so many, and was a devoted family man. He also was passionate about our CSC organization and was a committee contributor even in retirement. His care about and advocacy for our athletic communications profession and the development of young professionals, was admirable.
A collection of thoughts from CSC leaders throughout the years can be found below.
Gallery: (8-22-2023) Bill Little
Tributes from CSC leaders throughout the years.
Doug Vance, retired CSC executive director and CSC Hall of Famer past president (1993-94)
"No one is more deserving of being called a CoSIDA/CSC legend than Bill Little. He first joined the board of directors nearly 40 years ago and never wavered since that time in his commitment to provide leadership to his national organization and his profession. No one advocated more for the profession and highly-principled in his beliefs, he stood his ground if he believed a decision was what was best for CoSIDA/CSC.
I vividly remember him speaking to members often and talking about how ‘no part of an athletics department has more constituents, or touches more people, than sports information.’ When you add up the accomplishments and look back over his great career, I doubt you could find anyone in our history that has impacted more decisions that have been significant to our growth as an organization than Bill Little.”
Chris Plonsky, University of Texas Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director & Chief of Staff / 2021 CSC Hall of Fame inductee
“A loving husband, father, grandfather — and friend. There was never a more thoughtful and beautiful writer — and radio talent - than Bill. He was a caring and wise man and mentor who truly understood the soul of The University of Texas and its students, coaches, sports, fans and sports media. At a critical time early in Title IX history, Bill stood tall and advocated for women in the sports communications profession. People like Bill created avenues and opportunities for women and young people, and we are forever grateful. We’ve lost a beloved legend. Rest easy, William… your legacy remains always.”
Steve Hatchell, National Football Foundation President and CEO/ CSC Hall of Famer who worked closely with Bill when he was commissioner of the Southwest Conference and Big 12 Conference
"In college athletics, we all have the good fortune to meet many exceptional people, but few, if any, come close to the level of class and professionalism of Bill Little. The consummate storyteller, Bill had an exceptional ability for capturing the moment, and his legacy lives on in the impressive coaching tree of the endless communications professionals he mentored over the years. Our thoughts are with his wife Kim, who is the dearest of friends, his entire family and of course the many, many Longhorns who he impacted over the years."
Langston Rogers, Ole Miss Special Assistant to the Athletic Director / CSC Hall of Famer and past president (1980-81)
“With the passing of Bill Little, we have lost a true legend of our profession and our hearts go out to Kim and the family. All who had the honor of knowing Bill throughout his illustrious career will continue to cherish the times spent with him. I always looked forward to the opportunity to spend quality time with Bill and Kim at our annual convention and each year at the National Football Foundation events.
There is no way to possibly measure the positive impact his leadership provided as CoSIDA/CSC faced yearly challenges for our profession to adjust to an ever-changing landscape. His input was always important when it came to doing what was best for the entire membership. I believe one of his greatest contributions came in 2009 when he was selected as chairperson of the newly established veterans committee to the CoSIDA/CSC Hall of Fame selection process. Its purpose is to recognize those SIDs who were bypassed for honors, passed away, or had left the profession after distinguished careers in our business to pursue other jobs.
Bill was a legendary SID, but he was an even greater person. He enjoyed meeting young people just starting out in our profession and throughout his lifetime always treated everyone with kindness and respect. He will be missed, but Bill Little will always have a special place in the hearts of many.”
Shelly Poe, Auburn University Assistant AD - Football Communications/ CSC Hall of Famer and past president (2013-14)
“Bill was a fierce guardian of our profession and what underscores its value. Through his remarkable work, especially his writing, he demonstrated that the true treasures of our endeavors are people and relationships and how those formed stories and accomplishments. Bill addressed matters directly; he didn’t hesitate to say if he disagreed with you, but he was equally passionate as your ally in the next project you undertook. He loved his life’s calling; we should all try to emulate the sterling qualities of this legend and friend who has left us.”
Herb Vincent - Southeastern Conference Assistant Commissioner/Communications/ CSC Hall of Famer and past president (2019-20)
“Bill was so important to our profession in so many ways. I am struck by how many comments I have seen on social media from people who said they met him when they were young in the profession and how he treated them with such respect and provided guidance that impacted them for years. He was a friend to young and old, an example for us all. He was truly one of a kind and this is a big loss for all of us. I will miss our conversations and his observations of our world. Rest in peace Bill."
Alan Cannon, Texas A&M Associate Athletics Director, Athletics Communications (football) and CSC Hall of Famer and past president (2002-03)
“What do you do, when your mentor, colleague, friend, and father figure is no longer around? I am finding that with the loss of Texas Longhorn and CoSIDA/CSC legend Bill Little. He was always my go to and always was there for me, much like a 12th Man in college football.
Throughout the years we shared stories about legendary players, coaches, media and SIDs. We shared many Thanksgivings together as our teams battled on the gridiron, and many weekends as our teams battled on the diamond. These memories and many, many more, will have to sustain me until it is my time to join my dear friend.
There is not another person who has meant more to me in our profession. In 1989, he encouraged me to get more involved with CoSIDA/CSC, when he and his lovely wife Kim invited me to their presidential suite at the 1989 CoSIDA Workshop (convention) in D.C. to watch the 4th of July fireworks. Bill started prodding me to get more involved with CoSIDA/CSC. After Bill and Doug Vance encouraged me to pursue the officer’s rotation and I was elected at the 2000 Workshop in St. Louis, I got the news from Bill.
As I took the CoSIDA/CSC Presidential gavel from Syracuse legend Pete Moore in Rochester in 2002, Bill hugged me close and told me he was proud of me. That meant more to me than words can express. Most every CoSIDA/CSC past president’s photo you would find an Aggie and a Longhorn side-by-side. And, Kaye and I were honored to be on the same flight as Bill and Kim to his final convention in 2022 at Las Vegas.
When my dad passed away five years ago, Bill was one of the first to reach out and he reminded me, “death ends a life, not a relationship.” As always, he knew the right thing to say. Though I may not see Bill in the flesh, he has been, and will continue to be with me throughout my days.
God Bless and yes, this Aggie will say it — “Hook ‘Em” my friend.”
Jim Vruggink, executive director of the National Football Foundation's Joe Tiller Chapter of Northwest Indiana and retired Purdue University director of special projects and sports information director/ CSC Hall of Famer and past president (1996-97)
“Bill Little was a great man and a wonderful inspiration to hundreds, probably thousands, of us who tried to follow his example in our profession. While acknowledging and sharing in his loss, we are all "winners" for having known him. Our deepest sympathies to Kim and the family ... Long live the legacy of Bill Little.”
Nick Joos, Iowa State Senior Associate AD/Communications/ CSC Hall of Famer and past president (2008-09)
“If College Sports Communicators had a Mount Rushmore, there is no question that Bill Little would be a founding member. His service went well beyond what he did on a daily basis for Texas’ student-athletes, coaches and staff, as he cared deeply about our profession long after his Longhorn career had ended. He had a servant’s heart whose loyalty to the Burnt Orange ran as deep as the Rio Grande, but what I truly admired about Bill was ability to cultivate relationships with people all across intercollegiate athletics that went well beyond wins, losses or what level your institution competed at.
He always had a smile on his face and represented the Longhorns with class, dignity and grace. In short, he was a legend in our profession who will be greatly missed by his family and many friends across the world.”
Pete Moore, Syracuse University Director of Athletic Communications/ CSC past president (2001-02)
“Bill certainly was devoted to CoSIDA/CSC throughout his career and was an active participant in the organization for decades. Bill produced a career that resulted in one of those rare connections -- when you thought of Texas, your next thought was Bill. He was one of those unique professionals who became synonymous with a school. Condolences and prayers to his family, his colleagues, and the University of Texas family.”
Little’s impact on growing the profession: His relationships and mentorship
Tammy Boclair, Alday Communications Vice President / CSC Hall of Famer and past president (2003-04)
“Bill Little was a giant. He is one of the few people in our organization who everyone knew and most considered a mentor because of his passion for our profession. He wanted to make sure no one in the industry felt as if it was just a job.
Bill’s professionalism and love for our organization was unmatched, and he wasn’t afraid to speak his mind for the benefit of our members. In so doing, his influence spread beyond communications to all of college athletics.
Bill also advocated for women long before many others and was instrumental in my role as President of CoSIDA. He gave me the opportunity to say ‘yes’ when he called me in St. Louis at the 2001 Convention to ask if I would consider being nominated for the third vice-president position. I am so grateful for that call. I take great pride in having been a part of the presidential rotation and eventually leading the organization. The fact that he spoke on my behalf was a constant source of motivation for me throughout that time and beyond.
When I was an assistant sports information director at Stephen F. Austin in 1985, Bill was one of the first colleagues I met. We quickly forged a friendship that never faded over nearly four decades. Much love to his wife, Kim. We will miss him.”
Rob Carolla, communications consultant / CSC past president (2017-18)
“During my time at the Big 12 Conference, we held annual meetings of our communications and media relations directors. The conference had lots of rivals, but we were always (mostly) cordial and professional in meetings. Regardless of what was going on, or who your rivals were, when Bill spoke - everyone listened. It was a lot like the Godfather talking (minus the Italian mafia threats, of course!). If Bill was chiming in on a subject - people stopped, listened and digested everything he said.
The same could be said when he provided input with CoSIDA/CSC. He was the utmost professional and I was proud that I could follow him many years later as president of our organization.”
Judy Willson, Geneva College Director of Graduate and Online Admissions / CSC Hall of Famer and past president (2015-16)
“Thanks to Bill Little, many of us in the profession learned what the standards and expectations are of our role in the athletics department, on campus, with the media, and in the profession at large. I am thankful for his support of women in athletics and the advice he shared throughout the years. I always looked forward to catching up with him and Kim each summer at the convention.
Bill stopped me after the opening roundtable mentoring session in 1998 at the workshop in Spokane. My initial reaction was ‘Uh oh, why is Bill Little stopping me and how does he know my name?’ I had been representing non-D1 women who ran their own shops in the session and he said, “Young lady, I’m keeping an eye on you” and went on to encourage me as I figured out my next professional steps. For the next 25 years, Bill became a mentor and friend, even when he would emphatically express his displeasure to me about a CSC Board decision during my president year. Yet, in his servant’s heart, he always wanted what was best in the long run for the people of CoSIDA/CSC."
Rob Knox, Thurgood Marshall College Fund Senior Director of Strategic Communications / CSC past president (2018-19)
“It was such an honor to cross paths with Bill and spend time together on the CSC Special Awards Committee and as CoSIDA/CSC past presidents. He was a special force in the college communications world - and an even better person - who welcomed me with open arms when I was CSC president. I remember Bill personally calling me when I was elected into the presidential rotation in 2015 and congratulating me while also telling me to be myself and enjoy the opportunity. Bill enjoyed telling stories and advocating fiercely for what he believed in. I learned plenty from him. Bill's impact went beyond athletic communications. He advanced college athletics overall and what he did at Texas was amazing. We lost a true giant whose impact will last forever.”