The Enduring Legacy of Alpha Tau Omega: A Brotherhood of Notable Alumni
Alpha Tau Omega (ATO) stands as a testament to enduring ideals, fostering "heart as well as head" in its members. Founded in 1865 at the Virginia Military Institute, ATO has grown into one of the largest fraternities, annually ranking among the top ten nationally in terms of chapters and total membership. The fraternity's commitment to innovation was recognized by the Smithsonian Institute in June 1995, with an award for Information Technology in the field of Government and Non-Profit Organizations. Beyond its organizational achievements, ATO boasts a remarkable roster of alumni who have made significant contributions across a wide spectrum of fields, from sports and entertainment to politics and business. This article explores the diverse accomplishments of some of ATO's most famous alumni.
A Foundation of Ideals and Growth
Alpha Tau Omega holds before the young men of the country an ideal and something greater than a mere intellectual ideal. Alpha Tau Omega stands for heart as well as head. ATO annually ranks among the top ten national fraternities for number of chapters and total number of members. The first meeting of ATO was at 114 E. Clay St.
Titans of the Gridiron: ATO's Football Legends
ATO's impact on the world of sports, particularly football, is undeniable. The fraternity has produced numerous College and Pro Football Hall of Famers, leaving an indelible mark on the sport.
Steve Spurrier: A College Football Hall of Famer and 1966 Heisman Trophy winner, Spurrier was a two-time All-American quarterback. He passed for 4,848 career yards and 36 touchdowns before a 10-year NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers (1967-75) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1976). Notably, he is also an alumnus of the University of Florida.
Len Dawson: Another Pro Football Hall of Famer and 1956 All-American quarterback, Dawson played 19 NFL-AFL seasons (1957-75), primarily with the Kansas City Chiefs. He threw for 28,711 career yards with 239 touchdowns and was the 1962 AFL Player of the Year and 1973 NFL Man of the Year. Dawson earned All-AFL first team honors from 1962-66 and All-AFL second team honors from 1964-68.
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Ron Mix: A Pro Football Hall of Famer (kicker-offensive tackle), Mix was the first player to score more than 1,000 career points and kick 200 career field goals.
Jack Youngblood: A College Football Hall of Famer (as a defensive end), Youngblood was MVP in the Senior Bowl before starting a 15-year career with the Los Angeles Rams (1971-1984). Elected to the NFL 1970’s All-Decade Team, he was twice named NFC Defensive Player of the Year and went to seven Pro Bowls.
Randy Gradishar: An All-American defensive tackle in 1972, Gradishar played 16 NFL seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals (1973-74) and Washington Redskins (1975-88).
Tommy Townsend: A Super Bowl champion punter.
Voices of the Game: ATO's Broadcasting Pioneers
ATO alumni have also excelled as broadcasters, bringing the excitement of sports to audiences across the nation.
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Keith Jackson: An American Sports Broadcasters Assn. Hall of Famer, Jackson started at stations in Seattle and Los Angeles before joining ABC-TV. He was the first play-by-play voice on “ABC’s Monday Night Football” and also covered the World Series. He was on “Monday Night Baseball” (1976-83) and specialized in college football for two decades.
Curt Gowdy: A Baseball Hall of Famer (as a broadcaster) and Sports Broadcasters Hall of Famer, Gowdy was a collegiate basketball star who worked as a regional sportscaster prior to two years on the Yankees radio team. After 15 years as the voice of the Boston Red Sox, he worked for NBC, CBS, and ABC, covering major sporting events over three decades, including seven Super Bowls and 14 World Series.
Charlie Jones: A sports broadcaster for over five decades with NBC, ABC, and CBS, Jones did play-by-play at seven Super Bowls and 14 World Series. He earned two Emmys as host of “The American Sportsman”.
From the Court to the Dugout: ATO's Multi-Sport Stars
ATO's athletic prowess extends beyond the football field, with alumni making their mark in baseball, basketball, and other sports.
Joe B. Hall: Head basketball coach at Regis (1960-64), Central Missouri (1965), and Kentucky (1973-85).
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Terry Donahue: UCLA head football coach from 1976 to 1995, posting a 151-74-8 record and 13 bowl games.
Tommy Herr: Professional baseball player with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Leaders in the Political Arena: ATO's Public Servants
ATO has a strong tradition of producing leaders in the political arena, with alumni serving at the highest levels of government.
Spessard L. Holland: Senator from 1963-77 and Governor of Florida from 1941-45. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (World War I).
Mike Mansfield: Representative from 1943-53 and Senator from 1953-77. He served as Senate Assistant Majority Leader and Democratic Whip from 1957-61 and Senate Majority Leader from 1961-77, the longest tenure in history. He also served as Ambassador to Japan from 1977-88, the longest for the post.
Alan K. Simpson: Senator from 1979-97. He was appointed Assistant Majority Leader in 1985 and served as Republican whip from 1985-95.
Grant Sawyer: Governor of Nevada from 1959-67.
Richard Bryan: Senator from 1989 to present, Governor of Nevada from 1983-89, and Attorney General of Nevada 1978-83.
Dwight Griswold: Senator from 1952-54 and Governor of Nebraska from 1940-46.
Robert L. Doughton: Representative from 1911-53.
Lindsay C. Warren: Representative from 1925-40.
Thomas Gordon Hayes: Maryland Senate, Mayor of Baltimore, and U. S. Congress.
Shaping the Cultural Landscape: ATO's Contributions to Arts and Entertainment
ATO alumni have also made significant contributions to the arts and entertainment industries, leaving their creative imprint on society.
Tennessee Williams: Playwright and novelist who had many of his best-known works produced on stage, television, and film. His first Broadway play (later a film) was “The Glass Menagerie” in 1945, followed by Pulitzer Prize winners “A Streetcar Named Desire” (1948) and “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” (1955).
Garry Marshall: Producer, director, writer, and actor over five decades. He created, produced, and directed successful ABC-TV shows “The Odd Couple”, “The Brian Keith Show”, “Happy Days”, “Lavern and Shirley”, and “Mork and Mindy”. In the last two decades, he was director and executive producer of “Runaway Bride”, “The Other Sister”, “Dear God”, “Pretty Woman”, “Beaches”, “Nothing in Common”, “Frankie and Johnny”, and “The Flamingo Kid”, among others.
Art Linkletter: Television personality whose “Art Linkletter’s House Party” ran on CBS-TV for near 20 years (1952-69).
T.S. Cook: Oscar and Golden Globe-nominated screenwriter for his 1979 screenplay “The China Syndrome”.
Jack Larson: Film and TV character actor best known for his role on “MacGyver” (1985-91).
Guy Fieri: TV Personality, host of Minute to Win It, and Winner of the second season of The Next Food Network Star.
Innovators and Entrepreneurs: ATO's Business Leaders
ATO alumni have also distinguished themselves in the world of business, leading successful companies and driving innovation.
Richard S. Fuld Jr.: Former chairman and CEO of Lehman Brothers.
Lewis E. Platt: Former President, CEO (1992-98) and Chairman (1993-1999) of Hewlett-Packard Company.
Red McCombs: Owner of the Minnesota Vikings National Football League professional football team and the San Antonio Spurs National Basketball Association professional basketball team.
Other Notable ATO Alumni
The diversity of ATO's alumni network is further exemplified by individuals who have excelled in various other fields:
Stephen C. O’Connell: Past President of the University of Florida.
Shelby Foote: Historian and author.
Steve Gleason: Seven NFL seasons as Safety for the New Orleans Saints.
