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.
Olson, Billy
Billy Olson Olson was an All-District, All-State, and All-American athlete while running track at Abilene High School. He was the Texas 5A pole vault state champion his senior year as well as winning numerous USTFF and AAU age group national championships. Olson won...
Meyers, Rick
Rick Meyers Meyers was an All-District, All-Region, and All-State selection in tennis while attending Cooper High School. In 1976 he was the 5A state singles champion and was selected as the Texas high School Tennis Player of the Year. Meyers was undefeated in 63...
Carpenter, Jimmy
Jimmy Carpenter Carpenter was an outstanding athlete for the Eagles during the 1954-57 era of Abilene High School sports. He was a three-time All-state Baseball selection, as well as an All-State Football selection his senior year. He led the Eagles to state...
Blackburn, Blackie
B.L. “Blackie” Blackburn Blackburn became the head baseball coach at Abilene High in 1947. During the next 24 years, he assembled one of the most prolific high school baseball programs in Texas sports history. He won 14 district championships. His teams were state...
Shotwell, Pete
P. E. “Pete” Shotwell Shotwell’s coaching career, and as director of athletics, spanned 52 years. He coached at Abilene High School, Hardin-Simmons University, Sul Ross University, Breckenridge High School and Longview High School. He coached three state...
Moser, Chuck
Charles “Chuck” Moser Moser became the head football coach at Abilene High School in 1953 after spending six years in McAllen in the same capacity. His record at AHS includes 78 wins, 7 losses and 2 ties. His teams won district titles six years and won three...
Mildren, Jack
Jack Mildren Mildren was an All-American selection in track and football at Cooper High School. He earned Most Valuable Player honors in the 1968 Texas High School All-star game and went on to be a three-year letterman at Oklahoma University earning All-American...
Kelley, Louis
Louis Kelley Kelley was an All-District performer in basketball and All-State in football while attending Woodson High School in Abilene. He later coached for many years with a large number of those at Estacado High School in Lubbock. His coaching career included...
Gregory, Glynn
Glynn Gregory Gregory was an All-District, All-State and All-American athlete while playing football, basketball and baseball at Abilene High School. He played on the Eagles’ two state championship baseball teams and three state championship football teams. He was...