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.
Green, Fred
Fred Green was an all-state punter and all-state end in 1955 at Abilene High and an all-state baseball player as well. He still holds the record for most doubles and the most RBIs in the state baseball tournament. He played on state championship football teams in 1954...
Edwards, Darcell
Darcell Edwards of Coleman was a six-time national champion in NCAA Division III and a 10-time Division III all-American in the long jump and triple jump at McMurry. She earned a total of 10 All-American honors during her four-year career at McMurry. Her six...
Compton, Dick
Dick Compton was a standout in football and basketball at Colorado City. He played football at McMurry from 1958-60 and holds school records for the longest pass reception for a touchdown, the longest kickoff return and longest run from scrimmage. He played...
Brown, Jody
Jody Brown was a three-time all-state selection in football at Cross Plains. He holds school records with 50 career touchdowns and 4,860 yards rushing. He also played basketball and ran track and was a state champion in both hurdle events. He won two gold, one silver...
Chuck Moser Exhibit Dedication at Texas Sports Hall of Fame in Waco
Abilene High Eagles (Especially those of the 1950's teams)....... Take Note: Chuck Moser Exhibit Dedication If you would like to attend please contact Gerald Galbraith at: cggalbraith@suddenlink.net or call 325-829-3883. Date: Saturday, April 21, 2018 Time: 5...
Big Country Athletic Hall of Fame Announces its 2018 Class
Big Country Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2018 announced Two key members of Abilene High’s “Team of the Century” state championship football teams in the 1950s, a defensive back who played in the first-ever Big 12 football game, a former NFL standout, a...
Wartes, Larry
Larry Wartes will be inducted posthumously. He was an assistant to Gordon Wood on two state championship teams at Stamford. He then replaced Wood as the Bulldogs’ head football coach and won two more state titles in 1958 and 1959. His football coaching record was...
Shira, Charles
Charles Norris Shira played football at Texas A&M and West Point and later coached at Tennessee and Texas before becoming the head coach and athletic director at Mississippi State. He died at age 49 in 1976 of a cerebral hemorrhage, and the field house at...
McMillin, Lon
Lon McMillin was a multi-sport standout in football and track at Haskell and won a state lightweight Golden Gloves title in 1938.
Parris, The Parris Family
Rickey Parris was a four time NAIA national champion in the pole vault at McMurry, and his wife Pug Parris has taught at McMurry for nearly 40 years, currently serving as McMurry’s Director of Inter-Disciplinary Studies. She is the former chair of the kinesiology...