Every year since 1998, alumni and their families look forward to Eduardo Rodriguez’s delicious BBQ at Texas Law’s annual tailgate party. It’s not just the hundreds of pounds of chicken, beef, quail, and sausage that attract attendees. It’s the sense of community and care that Rodriguez, with his family and friends, inspires. Learn more about Rodriguez and how Texas Law recognizes his meaningful contributions in this story, reprinted below, with permission from the Alcalde.
Honoring Eduardo Rodriguez at Texas Law’s 20th Annual Tailgate Extravaganza
By Danielle Lopez, from the Alcalde; originally published September 21, 2018
As a record number of people made their way over to the stadium for the Texas vs. USC game on Saturday, a party was underway at the UT School of Law. Nearly 1,200 people gathered in the breezeway for Texas Law’s 20th Annual Tailgate Extravaganza, ready to eat the legendary barbecue from the man who’s been cooking at these events since day one: Eduardo Rodriguez, LLB ’68, Life Member.
Party-goers called out “Eddie!,” giving him friendly pats on the back as he floated about the crowd of lawyers, students, and friends with an air of ease. He made his way through the crowd to proudly stand next to a newly minted plaque placed along the breezeway at the north end of the School of Law, where he annually assumes his role as pit master. Rodriguez has been traveling up and down this walkway for the last 50 years. And now, as of Saturday, it is officially named in his honor: “Eduardo Rodriguez Way.”
Rodriguez has been a stalwart supporter of UT Austin since graduating with his law degree. He serves on the Board of Directors for Texas Exes, received the Honorary Order of the Coif from the School of Law, served as president of the UT Law Alumni Executive Committee, and was part of the Chancellor’s Council Executive Committee of the UT System. Just the day before the barbecue, the law school held a small ceremony where Rodriguez’s friends, family, and Dean Ward Farnsworth unveiled the plaque.
“It’s a really good feeling to know that they thought enough of what you’ve been doing,” he says. “It’s a very humbling experience to have your name permanently there and know that students going forward will be able to see that we contributed something.”
From left, Eduardo Rodriguez; Ward Farnsworth.
