Rice Institute Owls football player Bill Burkhalter

Black and white copy of article on Bill Burkhalter's (class of 1952) induction into the Rice Athletic Hall of Fame. Text describes Burkhalter's career in football and biographical information. This item includes a photograph of Burkhalter from 1952 as a player and from circa 2000.Caption reads: In the time it took to play one football game, BILL BURKHALTER (class of 1952) went from third string to starter, a position he would hold for three years. On October 22, 1949, Jess Neely’s Owls traveled to Austin to take on the Texas Longhorns. On the trip was a young halfback named Burkhalter. When called upon, he entered the game and helped boost the Owls to a dramatic come-from-behind, 17-15 win over UT. The young back would help the Owls to five more regular season wins and a berth in the 1950 Cotton Bowl that season. In Dallas, Burkhalter would boost Neely’s team to a 27-13 win over North Carolina and a number five national ranking to cap off Rice’s greatest season ever. Rushing for 74 yards and a touchdown and catching a pass from Tobin Rote for another score, Burkhalter earned the Most Valuable Back award for the Cotton Bowl. A native of Texarkana, Burkhalter would go on to play offense and defense during his junior and senior seasons. In 1951, he joined Glenn Walls and Rice Hall of Famer Bill Howton as a captain for the Owls. That same season, his play on the field earned him all-Southwest Conference honors. An outstanding student, Burkhalter received the Bob Quin Award for his excellence in the classroom, as an athlete and as a leader. In addition, he was named the president of his senior class in 1952. After graduation, Burkhalter went to work for Houston Shell and Concrete company. He spent 14 years in the banking industry, serving as president of a small bank at one time. At the time of his induction, he was working for Allstate. He continued his interest in football, coaching for five years at St. Thomas High School, three seasons with the freshmen and two with the varsity. In addition, he officiated high school and college ball for 18 years and was involved in creating the first black/white officiated team in Houston. Burkhalter has been a long-time member of the Houston Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Exchange Club, serving as president of the latter for a time.Rice Athletic Hall of Fame (poor quality original image