SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 37
In Memory
of
Fred S. Akers
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and
commemorates the life of Fred S. Akers, who died
December 7, 2020, at the age of 82; and
WHEREAS, Fred Akers was born on March 17, 1938, in
Blytheville, Arkansas; he attended the University of Arkansas,
where he played football, and he began a distinguished career in
coaching by serving as a Texas high school football coach in Port
Arthur, Edinburg, and Lubbock; and
WHEREAS, He joined Darrell Royal's staff at The University
of Texas in 1966 and served as an assistant coach and as a
co-offensive coordinator before becoming the head coach at the
University of Wyoming, where he led the Cowboys to a berth in the
1976 Fiesta Bowl; and
WHEREAS, He returned to Austin in 1977 to fill the position
of head coach at The University of Texas after the retirement of
Darrell Royal; his first Longhorn team, featuring Earl Campbell,
went undefeated in the regular season and won the Southwest
Conference championship; over the next decade, his teams went on
to finish four seasons in the nation's top ten and to receive bowl
invitations in nine consecutive seasons; and
WHEREAS, After his tenure at The University of Texas, he
took on the challenge of a struggling program at Purdue
University, where he coached for four years before retiring from
coaching and becoming a motivational speaker; he received
multiple awards and honors over the course of his life, including
induction into the Texas Athletics Hall of Honor, the Texas
Sports Hall of Fame, and the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, He and his beloved wife of 59 years, Diane Akers,
were blessed with three children, Lesli Akers, Stacey Delmonico,
and the late Danny Akers; his six grandchildren and three
great-grandchildren were a source of much pride and joy for him;
and
WHEREAS, Fred Akers was a man of deep Christian faith and
was known for his integrity, kindness, and generous spirit; he
was a source of strength to others, and he was beloved and
respected by all who were privileged to share in his life; and
WHEREAS, He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather,
and he leaves behind memories that will be treasured forever by his
family and countless friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 87th
Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
family of Fred S. Akers; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas
Senate and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in
memory of Fred Akers.
Eckhardt
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on February 9, 2021, by
a rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate