DeGrate, Tony

DeGrate, Tony

Mar 18, 2013 | Athlete, Baseball, Football

Tony DeGrate DeGrate not only played football at Snyder but he also pitched the Tigers to the state baseball tournament in 1981.  At the University of Texas, he was named a two-time all-Southwest Conference defensive end, helping the Longhorns win the 1983 SWC title. ...
Johnson, Jonathan

Johnson, Jonathan

Mar 18, 2013 | Athlete, Track & Field

Jonathan Johnson Johnson of Abilene High broke the state high school Class 5A record in the 800 meters when he won the event in 1:48.21 in 2001.  He then anchored the mile relay to a gold medal, leading the Eagles to the Class 5A state team championship.  At Texas...
Smith, Dean

Smith, Dean

Mar 18, 2013 | Athlete, Inductees, Track & Field

Dean Smith Smith was an all-state running back at Graham and played football and ran track at the University of Texas.  He was a halfback on the Longhorns’ team that beat Tennessee in the Cotton Bowl.  In 1952, he was a gold medalist on the United States’...
Overton, Ray

Overton, Ray

Mar 18, 2013 | Coach, Football

Ray Overton Overton is the longest tenured coach in Abilene Cooper history, spending 19 seasons at the school, including 11 years as head coach compiling a 69-40-2 record.  A graduate of Paint Creek High School in 1941, he went to Texas A&M for a year and then...
Malone, Andy

Malone, Andy

Mar 18, 2013 | Baseball, Coach

Andy Malone Malone compiled an 861-345 record in 41 years as a high school baseball coach, including a 220-52 mark in seven seasons at Cooper.  He led the Cougars to back-to back state titles in 1987 and 1988.  His 1987 team went 33-3 and was deemed the co-national...
Land, Bruce

Land, Bruce

Mar 18, 2013 | Athlete, Track & Field

Bruce Land Land of Hawley unofficially broke or tied the 100-yard dash world record seven times during his track career.  After earning all-American honors at Cisco Junior College, he ran track at McMurry and is a member of that school’s Hall of Fame.  He qualified...