Wilbur Evans (1913-1987)
Wilbur Evans spent his career as the highly-respected sports editor of the Austin American-Statesman and executive sports editor for The Dallas Morning News before becoming sports information director for the Texas Longhorns and later the Southwest Conference. In between stints with the SWC, Evans served as press secretary for Governor John Connally and publicist for the Dallas Cowboys.
In 1969, Evans was named executive director of the Cotton Bowl Association, where he served for the next 10 years. Upon retirement, Evans joined the executive committee of the Texas Sports Hall of Fame and was later inducted into the Longhorn Hall of Honor and the National Football Foundation’s Honors Court.
In honor of his long career in the sports world, at state and national levels, Evans received top awards from the Football Writers’ Association of America and the College of Sports Information Directors. He authored three books on U.T. baseball, track and field, and Texas A&M football. Mr. Evans was twice president of the Texas Sports Writers Association.Evans was a highly respected figure in the Texas sports and newspaper world.
Evans was known as a principled newspaperman, patient teacher and keen humorist.