The Big Country Athletic Hall of Fame hosted its 2nd annual Champions Celebration to commemorate the two Big Country high schools, Benjamin and Westbrook, that won football state championships during the 2022-23 season on Sunday, January 21. The reception, sponsored by BML Crude Oil Marketing, featured rousing games between the teams, a free museum tour, an awards presentation, limited edition back-to-back state championship shirts for sale and hall of fame coach CH Underwood speaking.
Players, coaches, school administration and staff, families and fans from both schools were present to celebrate both schools’ back-to-back state championships. Including the 2021 and 2022 Benjamin and Albany teams, there have only been 11 Big Country football teams win back-to-back state championships in the history of the UIL.
The Big Country Athletic Hall of Fame has produced limited edition shirts to mark this historic occasion. Long sleeve shirts are available to purchase at the Museum, or you can call us at 325-704-1759 to place an order. We are able to ship shirts for an additional fee.
Turner, Jack
Jack Turner who is retired after a long career as Taylor County commissioner, lost only five times in his boxing career, all in the Golden Gloves state finals. He then coached Abilene’s Golden Gloves boxing team from 1948-59 and was the first Abilenian to coach the...
Lineweaver, Steve
Steve Lineweaver was a graduate of Abilene High. As a coach he complied a 258-43-2 record with four state football titles at Commerce and Euless Trinity. He won district 18 times and at the time of his retirement, he was tied with G.A. Moore, behind Phil Danaher of...
Forkerway, Trey
Trey Forkerway was a three-sport letterman for three years in football, basketball and baseball at Abilene High. He signed to play baseball at Oklahoma and then transferred to Texas Tech, where he was an all-Southwest Conference infielder in 1992 and 1993. He played...
Bolden-Washington, Mary
Mary Bolden-Washington of Hamlin was a three-time state champion in the long jump and 4x200 relay in high school and also won gold medals at the state meet in the 200, triple jump and 4x100 relay. She was the SEC champion in the 100 as a freshman at the University of...
Carmichael, Jimmy
Jimmy Carmichael, who played quarterback at Brownwood from 1967-69, was named to Texas Football magazine’s all-decade team of the 1960s. He passed for 3,585 yards and 48 touchdowns in his three year career. As a senior, he led Brownwood to the Class 3A state title...
Brunson, Doyle
Doyle Brunson led Sweetwater to the state basketball tournament in 1950 where he was the second highest scorer in the tournament with 49 points. He also played baseball at Sweetwater and then won the mile run at the state meet. At HardinSimmons, Brunson, who is in the...
Big Country Athletic Hall of Fame announces its 2017 class
The 16th annual Big Country Athletic Hall of Fame banquet is set for Monday, May 1 at the Abilene Convention Center, and the diverse Class of 2017 includes a pair of state championship football coaches, a state champion quarterback, a high school and collegiate...
Celebrating 15 Years!
Sibley, Dr. William (Dub)
Dr. William (Dub) Sibley played football at Abilene High and Texas A&M. He was an all-Southwest Conference linebacker and center in 1941 and still holds the conference record for interceptions by a linebacker. As a Marine, he fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima in...
Pickett, Al
Al Pickett has been covering sports in the Big Country for 30 years. He spent 15 years as sports editor of the Abilene Reporter-News, and since 2002 he has been a freelance writer and sports broadcaster. He broadcasts Abilene High football and Cooper basketball and...