Tex: The Father of Texas Swimming

If you spent any of your formative years at Camp Longhorn you have either thought about writing this book, or have been waiting for this book. Include me in that group. Well, here it is - and it is a wonderful read. Tex: The Father of Texas Swimming is much more than a collection of zany Tex antidotes. It's the story of the life of a man, an extraordinary man, yes, but a man. That can be a bit unnerving, because at times, Tex seems downright human, as opposed to the mythical "Tex" everyone knows and loves. Never fear, as this book does little to chip away at the myth - it confirms that Tex invented the flip turn, the Frisbee ("Sail-O"), and so many other things. Lucksinger also shows us the origin of so many Camp traditions - the Marines, the Water Show, The Mile Swim. You understand why campers, counselors, and staff alike still eat off of military surplus trays. And, most importantly, you learn how one man, with a loving wife, a long simmering idea, a love of children, a love of coaching/teaching, and a never say no attitude, put all that he had into creating a summer camp like no other.Tex is not just for Longhorn campers though. If you ever swam in a TAGS swim meet, or ever swam a lap in a pool, this is a must read. If you want to learn more about a true, larger than life, Texas legend, this is a must read.Lucksinger blends just the right amount of CLH, swimming, politics, family and Tex hi-jinks to make for an entertaining read. He has the advantage of being Tex's grandson and while that provided him access, it doesn't leak into the narrative. Fear not, there are some great stories: It's fun to read about how Tex met Pat - or was it the other way around, the battles over "East Germany" and it's comforting for someone to finally reduce to the written page that Zark really was from Mars.Back in the day, I had my own insignificant confrontation with Tex. It was a friendly thing, over a tiny Camp issue. It all started when I casually mentioned to Tex one afternoon that there was an inequity in counselor pay (mind you this was an issue of roughly $2.00 per term total). For the rest of term, Tex was waiting for me after morning chow to make sure I was no longer harboring any delusion that my suggested change had any merit. From the minute I mentioned it to Tex I knew nothing would change, but Tex was going to make sure. He was always friendly about it. There was always an awful pun involved which would make me laugh, but Tex was persistent. I remember looking in my rear view mirror after V-Day had wrapped up to see if that big orange Cadillac was tailing me for just one more talk! I knew then what this book confirms. Tex would do whatever it took to make Camp and the lives of the many that he touched better - even if it required a "bribe" of a candy cane wrapped with a merit, or a pun-nishing few words.Whether you had to pleasure of knowing Tex or not, if you can read this book without laughing and crying, you had better check your pulse!Attawaytogo Ross Lucksinger!!

To document the life of Tex, you really need a whole encyclopedia set! He was a swimmer, a coach, a Navy diver, a camp director, a husband and father. If you ever met Tex, you couldn't help but love him. Even though I new him over 20 years, this book opens up parts of his life I never knew. Love reading it!

I knew Tex Robertson and his family personally through Camp Longhorn... great group of people. I was happy to see there was a book about Tex. He was an incredible man. I was also surprised to find out even more extraordinary things about him that I didn't know.

I really enjoyed the book. I knew Tex personally. Was at one time on his swim team at the univ. of texas . I also appreciate the prompt way in which you handled my order for the book. Thanks Ed Brown

This book is inspiring and a testament to CLH values. The book verifies that the tall tales I heard as a child are indeed true! Thank you, Ross Lucksinger for writing this book.

I only knew just a tiny bit about this legend-he was like a friendly Wizard of Oz to us at camp. Thanks Ross and all involved for compiling such a treasure.