Jim Thorpe
Jim Thorpe, Jacobus Franciscus “Jim” Thorpe (Sac and Fox (Sauk): Wa-Tho-Huk) (May 28, 1888 – March 28, 1953) [1] was an American athlete of mixed ancestry (mixed white and Indian s America). Considered one of the most versatile athletes in modern sport, he won Olympic gold medals for the pentathlon and decathlon in 1912, played football (college and professional), and also played professional baseball and basketball ball. He lost his Olympic title after it was found he was paid to play two seasons of semi-professional baseball before the
Olympics, thus violating the rules of amateurism.
Native American and European American ancestry, Thorpe grew up in the Sac and Fox Nation in Oklahoma. He played in several All-American Indian teams throughout his career, “barnstormed” (played mostly in small towns) as a basketball player with a team composed entirely of American Indians.
His professional sports career ended during the Great Depression, and Thorpe struggling to earn a living after that. He worked several odd jobs, struggling with alcoholism, and lived his last years in poor health and poverty. In 1983, 30 years after his death, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has restored its ancient Olympic medals himself.
Akina joined Texas in 2001 and coached two “Jim Thorpe”lauréats during his tenure with the Longhorns – Michael Huff safety and cornerback Aaron Ross. Akina spent the 1987-2000 seasons at Arizona.
In addition, Auburn offensive line coach Jeff Grimes – who interviewed for a similar position in Texas last week – said Sunday that he would remain with the Tigers program.
Texas secondary coach Duane Akina has accepted a similar position at Arizona, according to a report in the Tucson Citizen and other websites. The newspaper quotes a source inside the Wildcats’ football program. Texas authorities had not confirmed the departure of Akina Sunday evening.
