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.
Elkins, Lawrence
Lawrence Elkins Elkns began his football career playing for legendary Brownwood High School coach Gordon Wood. In the 1960 3A state championship game, Elkins caught a touchdown pass for the Lions to help seal a 26-6 victory over Port Lavaca. At Baylor University he...
Corn, Paula
Paula Corn Corn set a record at the girls’ state basketball tournament that may never be broken. She scored 61 points in the 1964 Class 2A state championship game, leading Baird to an 85-68 win over Jourdanton. The 23 field goals she made in that game remained a...
Coleman, Tonto
Tonto Coleman Coleman grew up in Roscoe and played and coached at Abilene Christian University. But, he really made his mark in the Southeastern Conference. He coached in Florida and served as assistant athletic director at Georgia Tech before becoming the long-time...
Williams, Max
Max Williams Williams was the founder of professional basketball in Texas as well as displaying skills as a wizard of the hardwood. He was the first prep player in Texas history to make the all-state team three years in a row. He led Avoca to a 44-1 record and made...
Tubbs, Jerry
Jerry Tubbs Tubbs of Breckenridge was an all-American lineman at Oklahoma in 1956. He played nine years in the NFL for the Chicago Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, and Dallas Cowboys. Tubbs then spent the next 22 seasons as an assistant to Dallas coach, Tom Landry. ...
Teaff, Grant
Grant Teaff Teaff grew up in Snyder and played football at McMurry. He compiled a 170-151-8 record in 30 seasons as a head football coach at McMurry, Angelo State and Baylor, winning two Southwest Conference titles at Baylor. He is currently the executive director...
Kimbrell, Hershel
Hershel Kimbrell Kimbrell was a star basketball and baseball player at Abilene High. He spent 31 years coaching basketball at McMurry University, winning 448 games and numerous conference championships. He is a member of the NAIA Hall of Fame and McMurry’s...
Hughes, Chuck
Chuck Hughes Hughes played football at Abilene High and was a 2004 posthumous inductee. After a record-setting career at the University of Texas-El Paso (including a national record 349 yards receiving in one game), Hughes played five years in the NFL for the...
Hart, Bill
Bill Hart Hart was the first recipient of the Lifetime Media Achievement Award. He spent 28 years covering Big Country high school sports for the Abilene Reporter-News and is a member of the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame in the writers’ category. He is one...
Harrison, Bob
Bob Harrison Harrison played for legendary coach and fellow Big Country Hall of Famer, Gordon Wood, at Stamford. He was honored as the nation’s top lineman in 1958 at Oklahoma and was among the top vote getters for the Heisman Trophy as a senior. He played nine...