Crystal Wise
Brian Happel credits his experience with football for making him a successful banker.
Before he embarked on a successful banking career that is in its 41st year, Brian Happel was a place-kicker for his alma mater, University of Texas at Arlington, which before shutting down its football program in 1985 sent some good players into the NFL.
Happel, who played on the Mavericks’ 1981 Southland Conference championship team, kicked the football around professionally between 1981-85 for seven teams in the NFL and USFL, beginning with the New York Jets.
“I got to play in Mile High Stadium and RFK and Shea Stadium,” says Happel. “I know this dates me, but I actually played at the Astrodome. I played in Lambeau Field. What a great experience. So, you know, it was neat.”
Happel bounced around several camps, looking to stick with one of them, of course. His first opportunity came with the New York Jets. After being cut seven times, he decided banking would be a more dependable livelihood.
“I realized when the coach asked to see me and to bring my playbook, they actually had no interest in hearing my feedback” on strategy, he jokes.
Happel, a native of Bangor, Pennsylvania, today is the Fort Worth market president for Regions Bank. Happel is one of Fort Worth Inc.’s The 400 most influential people in the city.
He says the fundamental code by which he lives — the concept of team, perseverance, discipline, resilience, and leadership — were all formed in those days on football fields.
Even an experience in Oklahoma. As a freshman punter, Happel was instructed by head coach Bud Elliott to go to Oklahoma for a scrimmage against the Sooners. It was common in those days for freshmen who weren't playing much to go scrimmage another school to get some work in. Happel wasn't kicking his freshman season, but he was the frontline punter for the big team.
“‘Brian, I'm gonna send you up there with them. I want you to punt, but I want you to have a 40-yard average,’” Happel recalls Elliott telling him. “I said, ‘OK, well, that's no big deal.’”
His first two punts traveled 40 total yards in 40 mph Dust Bowl-esque head winds. However, his last kick was with the wind. He remembers that the ball took off of his foot like a rocket.
“Well, one of the Oklahoma players comes in and wipes me out. Flips me up in the air, and I land straight on my back. I'm looking up and see the [referee] reaching for his pocket to pull the flag out. I said to him, ‘Please don't throw that flag. I need that punt.’”
If the victim doesn’t want to press charges, what is one to do? The ref held his flag, and Happel had his 40-yard average. And a great story to share.