North Texas Athletics Hall of Fame

Billy Dinkle

Billy Dinkle

  • Class
    1949
  • Induction
    2009
  • Sport(s)
    Football
Billy Dinkle lettered in football in 1946, 1947 and 1948. He was a running back and kicker, earning all-conference in the Lone Star in 1946. He was also named honorable mention Little All-America in 1946.

One of the best running back's in his time, Dinkle helped lead the Mean Green to it's first ever Bowl victory in the 1946 Optimist Bowl. In that game Dinkle had the game-tyring touchdown pass with nine seconds left, then won the game with the extra point, leading North Texas to a 14-13 victory.

The 1946 team was the first-post World War II team, and Dinkle was one of the most versatile players on the squad. Along with being the kicker, he filled in at quarterback and had an 85-yard punt return for a touchdown against East Texas State.