2024 Football Champions Celebration a Success!

Jan 23, 2024

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. 

Blackwood, James

Blackwood, James

James Blackwood was a member of Abilene High’s 1959 state championship track team. He won the district and regional championships in the 880 and placed second in the state meet and ran on the mile relay. He received a track scholarship from Abilene Christian and ran...

Scott, Leanne

Scott, Leanne

Leanne Scott coached tennis for 20 years at Cooper High School in Abilene. She led the Cougars to three straight Class 5A state team tennis titles and 14 district championships. During her career at Cooper, her teams were ranked No. 1 in the state three years in a...

McCoy, Colt

McCoy, Colt

Colt McCoy led Jim Ned High School to the Class 2A state championship game in football and the state tournament in basketball. He threw for 9,344 yards and 116 touchdowns at Jim Ned and is the all-time leading passer in Texas Class 2A history. He concluded his career...

Taylor, Jim

Taylor, Jim

Jim Taylor, a three-sport star in high school at Clyde where he graduated in 1952, will be inducted posthumously. He was a three-year starter at center and linebacker at Baylor. The Pittsburgh Steelers selected him in the third round of the 1956 NFL draft. He played...

Swenson, Phil

Swenson, Phil

Phil Swenson is a graduate of Avoca and McMurry University. He spent 36 years coaching girls basketball and track at Iraan, Wink, Garden City, Hamlin, Brownwood, Winters and Roscoe. He is a member of the Texas Girls Coaches Association Hall of Fame. As a track coach,...

Stanton, Tom

Stanton, Tom

 Tom Stanton is a member of the Hall of Honor at Cooper High School where he played basketball and baseball and set the school record with 50 points in a game. He earned five varsity letters at Baylor, three in basketball and two in baseball. After a 23-year executive...

Class of 2015 is Announced

Colt McCoy headlines Class of 2015 in the Big Country Athletic Hall of Fame Former University of Texas and current NFL quarterback Colt McCoy, one of the most decorated athletes to ever come out of the Big Country, headlines the Class of 2015 in the Big Country...