Inductees | Big Country Athletic Hall of Fame

Jones, Ellis

Jun 20, 2019 | Athlete, Football, Legends

Ellis Jones (deceased) played football at Abilene High from 1939-41. He then played guard and linebacker at Tulsa where he was a first-team all-American and played for the College All-Stars in their annual game against the defending NFL champion Chicago Bears in 1944....

Kitchens, Lance

Jun 20, 2019 | Lifetime Achievement for Media, Media

Lance Kitchens, who has been in the broadcasting industry for 38 years, has been the “Voice of Buckaroo Sports” since 1984 in Breckenridge. When he was dismissed from the broadcasts by Palo Pinto Communications, the community of Breckenridge created such as uproar...

Davis, The Davis Brothers

Jun 20, 2019 | Athlete, Football, Legacy Award

The Davis brothers (Ernie, Charlie and Donald) from Stamford will receive the Legacy Award. All three are in the McMurry University Athletic Hall of Honor. Ernie graduated from Stamford in 1955, where he played football and ran track. He was a Little All-American at...

Alford, Gene

Jun 13, 2018 | Athlete, Football, Legends

Gene Alford from Rising Star was quarterback/halfback at Daniel Baker in Brownwood and then transferred to Texas Tech and later to Sul Ross State. Pete Shotwell, then at Sul Ross, called Alford the best player he ever coached. He scored the first touchdown in Texas...

Mills, Colonel Buster

Jun 13, 2018 | Athlete, Baseball, Legends

Colonel Buster Mills from Ranger was a four-sport standout at Oklahoma (All-American quarterback/halfback in football, an outfielder in baseball, a guard in basketball and threw the javelin for the track team). He enjoyed a lengthy major league baseball career from...

Thomas, John

Jun 13, 2018 | Athlete, Football

John Thomas was an all-state nose guard and offensive lineman for the 1954 state championship football team at Abilene High. He led the team in tackles. Abilene coach Chuck Moser once called him the best player he ever coached. He originally went to Allen Academy in...