Smith, Dean

Smith, Dean

Mar 18, 2013 | Athlete, Inductees, Track & Field

Dean Smith Smith was an all-state running back at Graham and played football and ran track at the University of Texas.  He was a halfback on the Longhorns’ team that beat Tennessee in the Cotton Bowl.  In 1952, he was a gold medalist on the U.S. 4×100 relay...
Overton, Ray

Overton, Ray

Mar 18, 2013 | Coach, Football

Ray Overton Overton is the longest tenured coach in Abilene Cooper history, spending 19 seasons at the school, including 11 years as head coach compiling a 69-40-2 record.  A graduate of Paint Creek High School in 1941, he went to Texas A&M for a year and then...
Malone, Andy

Malone, Andy

Mar 18, 2013 | Baseball, Coach

Andy Malone Malone compiled an 861-345 record in 41 years as a high school baseball coach, including a 220-52 mark in seven seasons at Cooper.  He led the Cougars to back-to back state titles in 1987 and 1988.  His 1987 team went 33-3 and was deemed the co-national...
Land, Bruce

Land, Bruce

Mar 18, 2013 | Athlete, Track & Field

Bruce Land Land of Hawley unofficially broke or tied the 100-yard dash world record seven times during his track career.  After earning all-American honors at Cisco Junior College, he ran track at McMurry and is a member of that school’s Hall of Fame.  He qualified...
Kent, Kelly

Kent, Kelly

Mar 18, 2013 | Athlete, Football

Kelly Kent Kent was an all-state running back at Cisco in the mid-1970s and then played football at Abilene Christian University where he scored 26 touchdowns in three seasons.  He was a member of the ACU team that won the NAIA national championship in 1977 in the...