Dave Campbell 1925-2021

It is with heavy hearts and profound sadness that the Texas Sports Hall of Fame mourns the loss of Texas Legend, Dave Campbell. With his immeasurable impact on sports journalism,  Dave Campbell firmly established himself as one of the greatest contributors in Texas football history.
Born in Waco in 1925, Dave Campbell was one of the most influential sports journalists in Texas. Campbell was the sports editor for the Waco Tribune-Herald for 40 years and in 1959 Campbell founded Dave Campbell’s Texas Football magazine, the premier football magazine in Texas.

The Waco-native led the Texas Football magazine as editor-in-chief for his entire life, covering NFL, college and high school football in the Lone Star State. A Baylor graduate, Campbell was heavily involved with Baylor Athletics throughout his career. He was the editor of the Baylor Bear Foundation’s Insider for 15 years.
On top of his contributions to Texas sports journalism, Campbell served as the president of the Football Writers Association of America, a long-time TSHOF Selection Committee chairman, and a Southwest sectional representative for the Heisman Trophy voting committee. He was also one of the driving forces behind moving the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 1993 to Waco, Texas. Inducted into the hall of fame in 2005, Campbell has his own exhibit, the Dave Campbell Library. In 2015, he was the recipient of the  Lamar Hunt Lifetime Achievement Award, an award that honors an individual who has been influential in enhancing Texas sports and Texas sports history.
The Texas Sports Hall of Fame would not be where it is today without Dave Campbell. We extend our deepest sympathies to the Campbell family and offer our sincere condolences to his friends, fans, and the many individuals around the Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Magazine who worked with him.


Remembering Dave Campbell
“Dave was never met without wearing a smile and gentle word of kindness. He was a pleasure to work with and had a trillion stories from all over Texas. He loved this state and all that it had to offer through the eyes of sports journalism. He was a true Texas historian and a true Texas icon. He loved what great talent Texas High School athletes produced year in and year out, the Southwest Conference and of course, the Baylor Bears! I had the privilege to drive Dave around town and this state many times after he stopped driving and his stories were endless! I am sure he is telling them now. We love you, Dave! Thank you for all of the great insight and love for TEXAS and Texas athletics!”- Tom Hill, TSHOF Board Member 
 
“I can’t think of another sportswriter more liked and respected than Dave Campbell.  He is a true legend in Texas journalism and it is only fitting our library at the TSHOF has his name on it.”- Bruce Gietzen, TSHOF Board Member

"I was fortunate to have known Dave and Reba for almost 60 years. I grew up with Becky and Julie our families traveled together. Dave was one of the finest men I have ever known. I have fond memories of his living room going through slides of which picture to have on the cover of the magazine. Dave was an inspiration to me to be involved with the Sports hall and loved everything about the museum ! The library has an extra special meaning now"- Bland Cromwell, TSHOF Board Member