May 24, 2025 | Coach, Inductees, Legacy Award, Track & Field
THE HOOD FAMILY from Abilene is this year’s Pat Gerald Memorial Legacy Award recipient. The lateDON HOOD won nine NAIA and NCAA Division II national championships in 11 years at Abilene Christian University. He was considered the nation’s premier pole vault coach,...
May 24, 2025 | Coach, Impact Award, Inductees, Tennis
Ike Groce is considered the “Father of Tennis in Abilene.” He came to Abilene in 1969 and was the junior high tennis coordinator for the Abilene Independent School District. Because of the foundation that Groce laid with youth tennis in Abilene, Cooper has won four...
May 23, 2025 | Inductees, Legends, Tennis
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...
May 23, 2025 | Athlete, Coach, Inductees, Legends, Swimming
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...
Jan 29, 2025 | Athlete, Basketball, Inductees, News
The Big Country Athletic Hall of Fame is mourning the death of 2004 inductee and longtime benefactor Max Williams, who passed away on Monday, January 27 in Dallas. Max grew up in Avoca and led his high school team to a state basketball championship. He was an...
May 1, 2024 | Baseball, Basketball, Golf, Inductees, Legacy Award
This year’s Pat Gerald Memorial Legacy Award recipient is the ESTES FAMILY. Their legacy began with Bob, who was a star running back on Abilene High’s first football team to reach the state championship game in 1922. His son Tommy played football and basketball...
