"Tex Schramm was one of the visionary leaders in sports history -- a thinker, doer, innovator and winner with few equals. He played a major role in building the NFL into America’s passion by developing a glamour franchise with national appeal and by his leadership on so many league issues."
- NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue.

"Tex will go down as one of the most influential figures in the history of the NFL. I truly believe he had as much, or more to do with the success of professional football as anyone who has ever been connected with the league."
- Former Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula, who worked with Schramm on the competition committee for more than 20 years.

His essence and influence nurtured the Dallas Cowboys from an expansion team to America’s Team. This organization and its fans will forever be the beneficiaries of Tex Schramm’s spirit and vision - his passion and creativity."
- Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.

"He was a tough but fair person. He was highly competitive, and that is one of the reasons he lasted as long as he did. He was innovative, creative and a man with great vision."
- Gil Brandt, Cowboys’ longtime player personnel director.

He was a remarkable person, a remarkable figure in the history of pro football. He made so many contributions, you would run out of ink if you tried to write them all down."
- Lamar Hunt, owner of the Kansas City Chiefs, which began as the Dallas Texans the same season Schramm started the Cowboys.

"The world is not as lively a place without Tex. … Above everything else, Tex was a great guy; a person who could make you laugh, and appreciate the moment."
- Baltimore Ravens owner Art Modell.

He was a competitor and loved to argue, but he had a lot of class and you always knew he was trying to do what was best for the NFL."
- Gene Upshaw, executive director of the NFL Players Association.

"He was just very innovative, an icon in the formation of the Cowboys and the popularity of the NFL. We’re going to miss him."
- Hall of Famer Bob Lilly, the Cowboys’ first draft pick.

"Sports fans and historians everywhere will miss Tex very much. ...For more than half my life, I had the pleasure of calling my mentor, Tex Schramm, my friend."
- Hall of Fame quarterback Roger Staubach.

"He was a real power in the league, and a force to be reckoned with. Tex was responsible for building the Dallas Cowboys and making them the team that they were. He built that franchise up and kept it running."
- New York Giants owner Wellington Mara.

Tex Schramm Scholarship

This scholarship awards fourteen of the most outstanding young men entering the University of Texas at Austin scholarships totaling $15,000. In 1991, Brother “Tex” Schramm was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and also served as the first General Manager of the Dallas Cowboys. Before that, in 1940 as a freshman at The University of Texas at Austin from California, he was initiated into the Texas Alpha chapter of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, pin#428, where he became a valuable member. In his likeness, winners are chosen based on their leadership, service and academic achievement during high school. We strongly encourage all freshman and prospective rushees to apply.