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.
Scholarship Deadline Approaching!
The deadline to apply for one of 12 $1,000 scholarships from the Big Country Athletic Hall of Fame's is fast approaching. Graduating high school seniors have until April 1 to submit their scholarship application through the Community Foundation of Abilene's website....
Champions Celebration Set for Sunday, Jan. 22
The Big Country Athletic Hall of Fame is thrilled to host the first annual Champions Celebration event on Sunday, January 22 at 2:00pm. The event, housed in the Mall of Abilene, will honor the 4 Big Country high school football teams that won state championships and...
2023 Hall of Fame Class Announced
For more information, contact Al Pickett, 325-668-3014 The 2023 Big Country Athletic Hall of Fame induction class is a diverse group of athletes and coaches who made their remarkable mark in...
Galbraith, The Galbraith Family
THE GALBRAITH FAMILY is a co-recipient of this year’s Legacy Award for the family’s significant role in Abilene High’s rich football history. Four Galbraith brothers – Gene, Cecil, Gervis Sr. and R.B. played for Abilene High football squads from 1928 to 1937,...
Smith, The Smith Family
THE SMITH FAMILY is a co-recipient of this year’s Legacy Award for the family’s significant role in Abilene High’s rich football history. Aultman Smith rushed for 252 yards and scored three touchdowns in 1928 as Abilene High beat Port Arthur to win the state...
Patterson, Jack
JACK PATTERSON is one of two posthumous recipients of the Class of 2022’s Bill Hart Memorial Legends Award. He won an individual Southwest Conference championship at Rice University in 1939. After coaching at Merkel and San Angelo, Patterson became the first track and...
Gray, Elmer
ELMER GRAY is one of two posthumous recipients of the Class of 2022’s Bill Hart Memorial Legends Award. Gray graduated from Roscoe High School in 1928 and came to ACU to run track and play football. He was the first athlete at ACU to run under 50 seconds in the...
Keeling, Jimmie
JIMMIE KEELING, former Hardin-Simmons football coach, is the third recipient of the Impact on Big Country Athletics Award. Hundreds of high school football coaches around the state got their start playing for Keeling. After a long high school coaching career that...
Tollison, David
DAVID TOLLISON was perhaps the best all-around player on Abilene Cooper 1987 state championship baseball team. He was 11-1 as a pitcher and batted .417 with seven home runs, 45 RBIs and 19 stolen bases as a senior. He was the winning pitcher in the state championship...
Gilreath, Kathryn
KATHRYN GILREATH helped Cooper High School to a 3-year record of 57-0 and three consecutive 5A team tennis state championships. She played No.1 singles all four years. In the spring of 1993, she was a state quarterfinalist in doubles, a state semifinalist in doubles...