Kniffen, Fred

The late Fred Kniffen was a state champion tennis player for the Clyde Bulldogs. He played tennis at Hardin-Simmons and is in HSU’s Hall of Fame. Kniffen was Abilene Cooper’s first tennis coach prior to moving to Tyler, where he started the tennis program at Tyler...

Robertson, Julian “Tex”

The late Julian “Tex” Robertson of Sweetwater was a member of the U.S. Olympic water polo team that won a bronze medal at the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles. He then founded the swim program at the University of Texas, where he trained 15 all-Americans, numerous...

Carothers, Bob

Bob Carothers was the all-state starting shortstop for Abilene High’s baseball team that was state runner-up in 1955 and won back-to-back state championships in 1956 and 1957. He led the district in home runs as a junior and senior. Kansas City A’s scout Buster Mills,...

Garms, Debs

Debs Garms was born in Bangs in 1907. He made his MLB debut with the St. Louis Browns on August 10, 1932 and played 12 seasons for the Browns, Boston Braves, Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals. Garms broke up Johnny Vander Meer’s streak of hitless innings in...

Hudgens, Harold

HAROLD HUDGENS  graduated from Ballinger High School in 1957. He then went to Texas Tech on a basketball scholarship and was an all-Southwest Conference selection while with the Red Raiders. The 6’10” Hudgens was inducted into the Texas Tech Hall of Honor in 2006...

Robinson, Wendell

WENDELL ROBINSON played on three state championship football teams at Stamford from 1957-60 and played football for Bud Wilkinson at the University of Oklahoma. He then became a long-time high school football coach in Texas, compiling a record of 224-110-4 at Santa...