AUSTIN — Texas unveiled a new 1,200-pound longhorn steer complete with an impressive 8-foot wingspan in the lobby at its Moncrief Complex football home Thursday morning.
One of the bronze variety.
The sculpture of the iconic Texas mascot arrived and was secured in place at its new home amidst individual and team trophies and video boards in the spacious lobby leading into the recruiting lounge.
Steve Sarkisian took one look at the new home decor after Thursday’s practice and said, “That’s awesome.”
The addition came courtesy of mega booster and Texas graduate Bill Duvall, the former president of Lincoln Property, one of the nation’s largest, diversified commercial real estate companies that does business worldwide.
“It was Steve’s brainchild,” said John Bianco, Texas’ long-time sports information director. “When you walk in, he wanted people to feel something impactful.”
A similar 8-foot longhorn statue created by Dick Idol that once stood sentry outside the since-demolished Erwin Center basketball arena for years now resides as a centerpiece inside the $17.1 million Frank Dennis Family University of Texas Athletics Hall of Fame in the north end zone of Royal-Memorial Stadium.
Duvall has been one of Texas’ most influential donors and a constant at Longhorn football and basketball games. He also donated similar longhorn statues for the Texas Golf Club in northwest Austin that decorate the course.
“That thing’s a beauty,” Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte said of the new longhorn steer that greets visitors to Moncrief Complex. “It’s a classic. Coach said it’d be cool to have a longhorn in the lobby.”
The idea originated in Sarkisian’s mind and led to a conversation between Del Conte and Duvall as long ago as last January.
“Then I got a phone call from Bill on Tuesday, and he asked me, ‘Where do you want it?’ “ Del Conte said. “So I called Steve and told him to go put an X where he wants it. That’s a Duvall special.”
Duvall and friend Baker Montgomery have been ubiquitous fans both home and away. Del Conte said, “We’ll be playing a basketball game, say, in Minnesota, and Bill will be flying back from China and show up at the game.” Duvall was such a close friend and supporter of former basketball coach Rick Barnes that he’ll attend some Barnes’ Tennessee games.
Former athletic director DeLoss Dodds once joked when the duo walked in at a hastily called press conference in November 2008 announcing then defensive coordinator Will Muschamp as head coach-in-waiting, “Well, the team owners are here.”
Del Conte never starts a project on the Forty Acres that doesn’t involve Duvall in some way.
“He’s a man who loves this institution. He just loves it,” Del Conte said. “Bill Duvall is one of the most selfless individuals I know. He just gives of his time, treasures and talents. It’s unbelievable. This statue is a perfect example of that. An absolute treasure.”
Duvall couldn’t be reached for comment.