Bobcat History Lesson: Stephen F. Austin
9/8/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
It’s a question heard whenever anyone outside the state of Texas plays Stephen F. Austin: Who was this guy, and why did they name a University after him?
The quick answer is that Stephen Fuller Austin was the father of the republic of Texas as it has fit in the American southwest for over a century-and-a-half. The long answer, as usual, is a little more complicated. Spain’s colonial government in Mexico City granted Austin’s father, Moses Austin, a charter around 1820 to establish an anglo colony in New Spain’s northern-most territory with the promise to remain loyal to New Spain. His father’s untimely death left young Stephen to carry his father’s dream forward, and the younger Austin led many white settlers into the Spanish province north of Mexico. That settlement paved the way for Texas to fight for and eventually win independence from New Spain.
Nacogdoches is the oldest town in Texas, hosting the 85-year old former teacher’s college Stephen F. Austin State University, and was founded in the early 16th century by a Caddo Indian chief. Just over two centuries later, Spanish explorers settled the area around the Old Stone Fort, which was reconstructed on the SFASU campus several decades ago.
The Lumberjack football program has a storied tradition, advancing to the I-AA playoffs three times since 1988, including three trips as far as the semifinals and one championship game appearance. Three Lumberjack numbers have been retired through the years, and two are NFL legends. Mark Moseley was a league MVP, helping lead the Washington Redskins to a Super Bowl title, while Bum Phillips coached the Houston Oilers in the glorious “Luv Ya Blue” days, as well as the New Orleans Saints.
The quick answer is that Stephen Fuller Austin was the father of the republic of Texas as it has fit in the American southwest for over a century-and-a-half. The long answer, as usual, is a little more complicated. Spain’s colonial government in Mexico City granted Austin’s father, Moses Austin, a charter around 1820 to establish an anglo colony in New Spain’s northern-most territory with the promise to remain loyal to New Spain. His father’s untimely death left young Stephen to carry his father’s dream forward, and the younger Austin led many white settlers into the Spanish province north of Mexico. That settlement paved the way for Texas to fight for and eventually win independence from New Spain.
Nacogdoches is the oldest town in Texas, hosting the 85-year old former teacher’s college Stephen F. Austin State University, and was founded in the early 16th century by a Caddo Indian chief. Just over two centuries later, Spanish explorers settled the area around the Old Stone Fort, which was reconstructed on the SFASU campus several decades ago.
The Lumberjack football program has a storied tradition, advancing to the I-AA playoffs three times since 1988, including three trips as far as the semifinals and one championship game appearance. Three Lumberjack numbers have been retired through the years, and two are NFL legends. Mark Moseley was a league MVP, helping lead the Washington Redskins to a Super Bowl title, while Bum Phillips coached the Houston Oilers in the glorious “Luv Ya Blue” days, as well as the New Orleans Saints.
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