- Gary Yantis - Club Founder University of Texas Skin & Scuba Diving Society

In starting the research on the club's history, I made contact with Gary Yantis, the club's founder, and asked him to answer a list of questions to get the project started. These questions were asked through the medium of e-mail. On 4-1-1998, he responded with the answers to questions #1-7. On 4-7-1998, Gary sent his responses for questions #8-34.

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Paul,

Do you think you have enough questions? I think we need to double them but I will try to work on these first. I am printing out the questions while I write a few answers right now.

1. Do you have any type of club documents like newspaper clippings, paperwork, newsletters, or membership cards?

The only documents I have are the ones that the club gave me several years ago. They were probably yours. In fact, you probably gave me an extra set. I no longer have anything from the originals. I moved away from Houston in !976 and left most of my possessions behind. Sorry to say. I bet that Robert Wogstad still has some mementoes from those years.

2. Do you have any photographs of club activities or of the people in the club?

#2 is answered by #1. When I left Houston, I left about everything. I had a scuba tank, the white jacket with the logo, etc. and darn I don't have that stuff anymore. That probably explains why I am a packrat now and I don't even erase my email anymore.

3. Do you have any photographs of yourself of that time period you were involved in the club?

My picture starting days began a year later. Because I knew I was about to be drafted, I joined the Coast Guard Reserve in October of 1964 and I was in boot and active duty form Oct. 1964 to May of 1965. I picked up photography while I was on duty in San Francisco. I have plenty of pictures in 1965. I took some pictures in front of Gregory Gym of the club [membership] drive with the flag on the table in 1966. During the fall of '66, Jerry Derryberry was my roommate and I believe he was the one that drew the grouper with horns. I remember him drawing it one evening. I think he used colored chalk to draw it.

4. Were you a certified diver before the club was formed? What agency, if any, and what date were you certified and at what level?

Yes, I was a certified diver. I took a course at San Antonio college in the summer of 1963. A Mr. Swartz was my instructor. I went to high school with his daughter. We graduated from Jefferson High School, San Antonio in 1961. As to the diving level, it had to be beginner. I was not certified as an instructor, but in the spring of 1964 I did assist in training classes. We used the downtown YMCA swimming pool and we took the grads to Clear Lake in San Marcos for final exercises.

5. Whose idea was it to form the club? How did this idea come about? What were the initial discussions about before the first meeting?

The club was my idea, but I don't like to act alone. Robert Wogstad was a year ahead but we double dated, went to the same church, junior high school, junior college and UT together, and we have remained friends all of these years. However, since he lives in Arizona and I live in Texas, we don't see each other as much anymore. I have yet to see his house in Benson, Az. He has in-laws in San Antonio and so he does get around here occasionally.

I approached Robert about a club. It seems I get these ideas at the worst of times. I had gotten on Scho. Pro. [Scholastic Probation] because I was distracted and the last thing I needed to do was to get involved; nevertheless, there wasn't a scuba club on campus and I had just flunked Geology courses. I approached one of the faculty in the geology dept., Dr. Alan J. Scott. He agreed to be the faculty advisor. We then looked for a location and it turned out we could use Room #14 in the old Geology Bldg. This room probably seated 200-300 students. Robert and I posted some signs on trees and buildings around the campus. We might have taken an ad out in the student paper, but I don't know that we had the money for that. Dr. Scott spread the word in some of his classes. He was teaching marine geology and so he was able to generate some interest.

According to some notes that I have found, the first organizational meeting was held on Feb. 6, 1964 in Room #14 at 7:30 P.M. . Between 35-45 [people] showed up for the first meeting. A very good indication that the time was right for the club.

6. Tell me about Robert Wogstad, his background, major, and what he was like?

Robert Wogstad graduated from Jefferson High in San Antonio in 1960. I reached Texas in the fall of 1963. Robert was working on a math degree and I was studying geology. I flunked out in the Spring of '64 and came back to Texas in the summer of 1966. I stayed my distance from the club. I did visit on occasion, but I made myself graduate in business in the Spring of 1968 with a BBA in management.

Robert graduated in 1965 with a math degree and a teaching certificate. He taught a couple of years and discovered he didn't like it. He went back to San Antonio College and got some hours in computers and then got a job in the Army as a civilian attached. He is now doing pretty well, married, two kids. The oldest is married an probably has kids of her own. The son is studying computers and has probably just graduated from high school. How time flies!

7. How did you meet Robert Wogstad? What part did he play in the formation of the club and how long was he involved with the club?

I answered the part of #7 earlier. He was always there by my side in the first semester of the club. I could reflect ideas off of Robert and he would give me a ballast. If I did it on my own I would probably take an idea too far. He would pull me back. We acted as an team in the office of V.P. and we came up with ideas along with other club members. When I flunked out I think he went on and finished his books and graduated. I don't think he was real active in the club, but he might have been. You need to ask him.

This is enough for tonight, more later.

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Paul:

I decided to answer these questions off line. Yesterday I got into answering 7 through 13 and my computer got jammed. I lost all of my answer. It wasn't a lot, but it was frustrating. I commend you for your efforts and you are the right person for the job. I admire your perseverance, staying with the club all of these years. We're very fortunate that you have saved so many lists over the years. I also thank you for supplying me with the copy of your list. I will try my best to answer as many questions as I can. Remember the length of time that has passed and be kind. Someday, maybe some of us old timers could get into the same room and jog a few memories. But given that is not possible at this time, I try to answer the best I can.

I believe I have answered 1-7.

8. In your "History" article, you mention that Jim McAfee was voted President and you, V.P. . Was this done the first meeting? Who were the other officers, if any, and when did that come about? Do you know the officers and instructors in the 1965-66 time period?

I was on Scho pro when I brought everybody together and the University has (had) a rule that anyone on Scho. pro. could not hold an office higher than V.P. . So I chose to run as V.P. and McAfee was nominated for Pres. I do not remember other officers' names. If McAfee saved any paper work, he might have the records. The instructors were Earl and Ann Mitchell. Since I wasn't around in '65-'66, I didn't know the officers. I did visit in summer of 1965 and we were being attacked by State Legislatures. You may, or may not know the story. In Spring of 65, a couple of legislatures and their wives were riding the glass bottom boats in San Marcos. They buzzed a couple of divers with open props on glass bottom boat. One of the divers gave a finger to the boat and the ladies were mortified.

This set off the legislature and The Boating Act of 1965 was written. In the middle of the Act a

simple paragraph was inserted for the advantage of Aquarena Springs, I quote from memory because

this was emblazoned: "No swimmer or diver shall come within 300 yards of any sightseeing or

excursion boat except for maintenance purposes only."

9. Do you know when the first newsletter was published? How did it come about?

I don't remember about the first newsletter. We had our first meeting in February, our nominations were during the month and we probably had our first election in March. I am sure that one of the members, probably the secretary or newsletter chairman got out a note or letter before each meeting. We were so intent on diving, classes (SCUBA that is), and meeting almost on a daily basis at our office at the YM-YWCA that a lot of that got away.

10. When were the first dues collected and how much were they?

The first dues were probably collected beginning in March, but I doubt if they were very expensive.

$5-$10. We were a poor lot.

11. Was the club Constitution written while you were there, and if so, when?

I don't remember the club constitution. That was probably the reason we didn't have an office in the Student Center. It took too much red tape to have an office there and the Y came available and had a

good view of the drag. We would hang our flag out whenever anyone was in the office. It was a good

signal that we were around. People would just start floating up to the office.

12. Who wrote the club constitution?

Don't know

13. You wrote that the club was formed in Feb., 1964 and that you flunked ut in the spring of 1964. Does that mean that your active involvement was between January 1964 to May 1964?

Yes, I flunked out in Spring of '64. I started a tradition that has continued for many years. Our officers just get so involved that school goes down the drain. What can I say.

14. After the first meeting of 40-50 people in Feb. 1964, how many people actually joined the club during that Spring Semester? Do you know how many people were in the club during the summer and fall semesters of 1964? How many were involved in the '65-'66 period?

According to my notes, there were between 35-45 at the first meeting. I believe we wound up with 50

members that first semester.

15. Why was an office leased in 1964 at the YM-YWCA versus something on campus? Whose idea was it to get the office? How long did the club have the office?

I believe 11 answers this question.

16. In the photograph of Burt Burton and Bob Ireland at Gregory registration, there was a large dive flag on the table. Could this have been the flag that initially hung outside the YM-YWCA office window?

That flag probably was the same flag at the Y.

17. Who made the dive flag that hung outside the club's office window of the YM-YWCA?

I think we bought the flag. We probably got it at a dive shop, maybe from Brod.

18. Did Derryberry, Miller, Duryea, Irving, and Mallock join in the fall of 1964?

Since I wasn't around, I couldn't say. Get in contact with Derryberry.

19. Can you give me the address, email, phone number information on Wogstad, McAfee and Derryberry?

[ Yantis provided their last addresses known to him]

20. What was the purpose of forming the club?

I had just finished classes the summer before at San Antonio College. I did some fresh water diving

and I had just flunked a lot of geology classes and I needed something to take my mind off my

troubles. I just got an idea like I always do and I talked to Dr. Scott and decided, Why not

21. Whose idea was it to teach a diving course? Was Earl and Ann Mitchell the primary people in developing the first scuba course? Were Earl and Ann initial members of the club? Was 10 sets of scuba equipment the initial number purchased?

I believe it was just a general consensus that this would be one of the foundations of our club. Earl and Ann were available and probably the best qualified. And yes they were initial members of the club. I don't remember how many sets of equipment the club purchased.

22. How did the club declare someone an "instructor" during the first dive course?

The Mitchells were licensed instructors to begin with.

23. Do you know when exactly the first dive course was taught?

We met at the YWCA swimming pool near the Capitol and I believe the classes were going by March.

24. How was the first club instructor course developed and who was responsible for it?

Earl Mitchell wrote the first instructions.

25. Do you know the artist that came up with the club mascot design? The "sea steers" as I remember it was initially a grouper with horns on it as shown on my club instructor's card. It seems that I remember being at a meeting in Spring '67 where different designs were considered and the sea horse was voted on and the orange patch was made. In your recollection was the original sea steer the grouper with the horns? How did the grouper with horns come about?

I don't remember who developed the first sea steer, but I believe we used a sea horse in 1964. I was a

roommate with Derryberry in 1966 and he drew the grouper with horns. I remember making the

corny joke about "Sea Steers and brothers".

26. I vaguely remember Burt Burton with one of the white jackets and patches. Do you know whose idea it was for the jackets and patches and do you know if any of the jackets and patches exists today? I have the orange sea horse patch.

We ordered the jackets and had some patches made up. I used to own a jacket, but left it in Houston,

darn.

27. When was the first club diving equipment and trailer purchased and from whom?

It was after my time.

28. Where and when did we purchase the club air compressor from?

Don't know

29. Was Clear Lake just the far end of Aquarena near the dam and waterfall?

Yes, it actually was the entire lake.

30. How did you get permission to have the club scuba training dive there? It seems that I remember Don Brod maybe having a shop located there. Was that the way access was gained?

We didn't. There was a road in the back and everyone just went in. It was never really blocked off. At the time, it was state property and they really had no tools to keep us out, until the Boating Act of 1965.

31. In 1967, the skin dive was held in the San Marcos River and the scuba training at Lake Travis. Do you know why it was no longer held in Clear Lake?

I believe I answered that question earlier. The Boating Act of 1965. We tried to go to the Governor, but he would have nothing to do with us. I contacted Dan Cook with the San Antonio Express-News. We were a minority sport and he had no enthusiasm for us. We didn't represent big numbers.

32. What else do I need to know about the club that you would like to tell?

Let me mull over this one and I will write a note in the near future.

33. Did you ever come back to the University and graduate?

I answered this in the first group of questions. I returned the summer of 1966 and was met by Charles

Whitman, the sniper on the tower. But that is another story! I did graduate with a BBA in

Management, June 1, 1968.

34. When you were in school, that was the Vietnam War era. Did you have to serve in the military when you flunked out in Spring 1964?

When I flunked out I was meat for the grinder. I was persuaded by a Capt. in the SA Police Force, who

was also the commandant of the Coast Guard Reserve in SA to join the reserves, before I got drafted.

I went down that week and joined up. This was in October of 1964. I served from November until

May of 1965. I later switched from SA to Austin. In Austin, there were no Coast Guard Reserves, so I

was attached to the Navy for the time I lived in Austin. I finished up in the Coast Guard in Houston.

I got out in October of 1970.

Well Paul, I think that takes care of most of the questions. I am also going to submit these same questions with my answers to Robert Wogstad. He will get back to you.

Don't forget to link to my page: http://2020garysplace.com/Home_Page.html [updated 10-28-2012]

Good luck,

Gary W. Yantis

garyyantis@gmail.com [updated 10-28-2012]

If you would like to drop Paul a note, click here

© Copyright 1998 Paul Johnston