Dave CampbellMarch 14, 1925 - Dec. 10, 2021
Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Magazine
Waco Tribune-HeraldHall of Fame Class of 2023The name Dave Campbell is literally synonymous with Texas football. His titular magazine on all things football in Texas is anticipated each year by football fanatics, coaches and sports writers. It heralds both the unofficial end of summer and the kickoff of another thrilling gridiron season. Campbell started Texas Football Magazine in 1960 during his stint as sports editor of the Waco Tribune-Herald. He felt there was a need for more coverage of not only college football, but high school as well. He wrote about every team in every district in Texas, knowing those featured would be turned into regular Texas Football readers for years to come. Campbell was a member of the Texas Sports Hall of Fame and the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame. He served as president of Football Writers Association of America and the Texas Sports Writers Association. For many years, he was one of five sectional representatives on the Heisman Trophy voting committee. He was a recipient of the Football Writers Association of America Bert McGrane Award for lifetime achievement; the Jake Wade Award; the Lamar Hunt Lifetime Achievement Award; and the Headliners Club Wilbur Evans Award, among others. He was honored as a Baylor Distinguished Alumnus in 1992. A month before his 94th birthday, he published his first book – Dave Campbell’s Favorite Texas College Football Stories. In 2019 he was an exhibitor at the Texas Press Association Trade Show, selling his book and holding court with football fans and journalists. Though he sold the magazine in 1985 and retired from the newspaper in 1993, he remained active in the magazine, working on articles almost until his death. He was also a regular attendee at Baylor athletic events. The press box at Baylor’s McLane Stadium bears his name. A Bronze Star medal punctuates the three years Campbell lived away from Waco while serving his country during World War II. He was born in Waco, studied at Baylor University, and married and passed away there on Dec. 10, 2021. His wife of more than 70 years, Reba, died in January 2020. They had two daughters, Becky Campbell Roche and Julie Campbell Carlson. They also had three grandchildren — Campbell Roche, Jackson Roche and Derby Carlson – and one great-grandchild, Lane Campbell Roche.
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