December 12th should be an Austin College holiday. It’s the day AC won a 1981 NAIA national championship in football. Since telling the story with the help of the team back in 2016, I’ve tried to find something uniquely 1981 to share or write about on December 12th every year. I also share the 1981 National Championship tribute video created in 2016. It’s become something of a tradition, and we’ve pulled it off every year since. 2020 will be no exception.
This is the 1981 story of Austin College Kangaroo Allen Ray Gammill.
Allen Gammill hailed from Yantis, TX, and arrived at Austin College in 1933. Back then, freshman played on the “Pouchers” team while upperclassmen played on varsity. The 1932 varsity squad had suffered through a winless season at the height of the Great Depression, but there was optimism about Gammill and the new 1933 freshman recruits. From the Paris News:
“A galaxy of high school stars rated the best freshman team since Pete Cawthon left Austin College, comprise the opposition for the Paris Junior College Dragons. Known as the ‘New Deal’ squad, the freshmen are coached by J.B. Head. They seem to have awakened a new spirit in the school, instilled new enthusiasm, pep, and hustle in the student body as well as their varsity colleagues. Contributions to the freshman aggregation [include] Allen Gammill, halfback.” Gammill and the 1933 Roo freshman squad went undefeated.
By 1934, Gammill and the rest of those “New Deal” freshman were playing for Varsity. Their freshman coach, J.B. Head, was also promoted to Varsity head coach. Coach Head sent a letter to Gammill in Yantis on September 1, 1934 before the season began. From the letter:
“Dear friend Allen: In just a few days you will be reporting for football practice. Remember this is the year we have looked forward to so long. Remember I asked you last spring to report in shape. Now I am telling you to report in shape. GET in condition and STAY in condition. A lot of our success depends on what kind of shape our men report in. I’ll be seeing you in a few days. Your friend, J.B. Head.”
The 1934 Roos were much improved compared to their 1932 counterparts, playing competitive football throughout the season. That season included a 7-7 tie against Howard Payne at Cashion Field on campus. The old Cashion Field ran east-west over what is now Jerry Apple stadium; the game-tying touchdown was scored by Allen Gammill. One year later, that 1934 squad brought home a 1935 Texas Conference title for Austin College. Thanks to players like Gammill, AC football over the span of three years went from winless to champions.
Gammill remained a lifelong Roo fan over his lifetime and told his grandson a lot of stories from his AC playing days. In one tale, his Roo teammates grabbed his shirt and pants and quite literally tossed him over the goal line for a touchdown. In another, Gammill was headed for the end zone for an easy score. But his unfastened leather helmet slipped over his eyes. He lost his footing and fell before he crossed the goal line. Gammill’s tales of Great Depression era Roo football were frequent in the household. From his grandson:
“[My grandfather] enjoyed laughing at himself and rarely boasted about his athleticism.”
When the grandson expressed interested in playing football at the collegiate level, Gammill insisted that he pay AC a visit. That visit was a hit, and Austin College was suddenly on the radar screen. However, private college tuition was a heavy lift, and it appeared that AC might be financially out of reach. That’s when Gammill stepped in once again and sent his grandson to Sherman:
“If you can get into AC, I’ll help pay for it.”
Gammill and grandson had a lot in common. Both were running backs, and contributed immediately on the gridiron as freshmen. Both scored touchdowns on the ground that is now Jerry Apple stadium. And both led Austin College to championships. Allen Ray Gammill’s grandson is Van Hargis, who scored the first Roo touchdown of the 1981 National Championship game on December 12th, 1981.
The Hargis family has kept that 1934 letter from AC Coach J.B. Head to his grandfather all these years. The letter has been imaged and is shared today in the comments. I’ve also shared a photo of Gammill from the 1935 AC yearbook, along with a description of his touchdown against Howard Payne. To see Van’s touchdown that helped earn AC a national title, just check out the 1981 national championship tribute video created back in 2016. It appears at the 2:47 mark. Thanks Van, for sharing your grandfather’s story.
It’s December 12th! You know what that means. Time to watch the 1981 tribute video. Let’s roll the tape……
