Glenn Dobbs Honored
HURRICANE FAMILY: Johnny Dobbs, left, and Glenn Dobbs III, the sons of Glenn Dobbs and also former TU football players, were present at the unveiling of the Glenn Dobbs Statue on the TU campus.
GTR Newspapers photo
On April 6, The University of Tulsa unveiled an eight-foot tall bronze statue depicting legendary TU football player Glenn Dobbs during the 1940 to 1942 seasons. After his collegiate and professional playing career, Dobbs returned to Tulsa as athletics director and head football coach.
The 450-pound Glenn Dobbs Statue sits on a 30-inch castone base just outside the north gate of H.A. Chapman Stadium on Glenn Dobbs Drive (Eighth Street).
Dobbs’ sons, Glenn , and Johnny along with Tom and Betty Johnston, who generously provided this gift to the University, unveiled the statue.
The Johnston’s are longtime TU fans and season ticket holders. Tom, a 1952 graduate of TU, began attending Golden Hurricane home games in 1937 and has yet to miss a home contest in 75 years. The Johnston’s maintain seats on the 50-yard line, the same ones that Tom and his father, Tom Sr., occupied for decades.
The artist of the statue is Tulsa-native Jay O’Meilia. A sculptor, painter and printmaker, O’Meilia’s work has been displayed in galleries across America.
The story plaque reads:
“Glenn Dobbs was one of college football’s all-time greatest triple-threat talents. During his three seasons at TU (1940-42), he led the Golden Hurricane to a 25-6 record and two bowl games. In 1942, Dobbs attained a 63 percent passing average, a 48.3 yard punting average, and became the first TU football player to be named to the All-American squad. He was a first-round draft choice in 1943, selected by the NFL’s Chicago Cardinals. He later played for the Brooklyn Dodgers of the All-America Football Conference and was of that league in 1946. After finishing his pro football career in Canada, Dobbs returned to TU in 1955 to serve as athletics director, a position he held until 1970. From 1961 to 1968, he doubled as head coach of the Golden Hurricane and became a key figure in developing football’s passing offense. Dobbs was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame (in 1980), the TU Athletic Hall of Fame (in 1982), the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (in 1988) and the Saskatchewan Roughriders Hall of Fame (in 1988). The university has retired his number, 45.”
Tulsa’s Annual Spring Football Game followed the unveiling ceremony.
Updated 04-22-2013
READER COMMENTS
About Post Author
