Inductees | Big Country Athletic Hall of Fame

Oates, Mark

Jun 20, 2019 | Athlete, Gymnastics

Mark Oates, a 1981 graduate of Abilene High, is the most decorated gymnast in Abilene history and is the first gymnast selected to the Big Country Athletic Hall of Fame. He won the Class 5A state all-around championship in 1981. He was then a three-time all-American...

Whisenhunt, Stanley

Jun 20, 2019 | Coach

Stanley Whisenhunt was the long-time girls basketball coach at Abilene Wylie where he was known as just Stanley by his students and players in the 1960s and ‘70s. His teams won 15 consecutive district championships and two regional championships. His team captured...

Childers, Elijah

Jun 20, 2019 | Athlete, Football, Legends

Elijah Childers (deceased) graduated from Woodson High School in Abilene before integration where he was a three-year letterman in football, basketball and track. He started at tackle on offense and defense at Prairie View A&M, where he was all-SWAC in 1954-55....

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...