 "Photo: Courtesy Photo: Double T Association")
The Double T Association announced Wednesday eight former Red Raider athletes will be inducted into the Tech Athletic Hall of Honor Oct. 12 to Oct. 13 at the Tech vs. Texas A&M football game.
Members of the Double T Association are varsity letter-winners, and inductees receive their votes from teammates and former players.
The induction class includes tennis player Jake Broyles, volleyball player Jill (Burness) Stowe, football players Jerry Johnson, Ron Reeves and James Gray, and men's basketball players Jeff Taylor, Jason Sasser and Carl Ince.
"(The group) is a very diverse class in terms of eras," said Mike Gustafson, the Double T Association director of special events. "We've got some folks from the 1950s and late 1940s all the way through a couple who are first-year eligible this year."
Double T Association President Gary Hughes said the mix of eras in this year's induction class helped shape the way Tech athletics is perceived today.
"(The history) is certainly good for the students of Texas Tech and the people of the area who had not been here in Lubbock or been associated with Tech for that many years," Hughes said. "(It is good) to know that Tech first made a big name in the Border Conference and later in the Southwest Conference and Big 12 Conference."
Hughes pointed out that this class presents all-around talent. He said Broyles has hit 17 holes-in-one since he started playing golf and said, "I can't even imagine what kind of athlete he was."
Broyles becomes the first tennis player to be inducted into the hall of honor. He won the only conference singles tennis title in school history in 1950 as a senior. He coached that same year, leading Tech to a Border Conference team championship.
He said the difference between tennis when he played and tennis now is the amount of attention the sport garners.
"When I was playing, tennis was a very minor sport," he said. "We had trouble getting tennis balls to practice with and expenses for the trips. It was tough."
He said he believes Tech tennis has a bright future and expects some company in the hall of honor soon.
"I think it's a step in the right direction, and I know we have some great tennis players on the way," Broyles said.
Tech volleyball coach Nancy Todd said she remembers Stowe being a vocal leader on her new team after transferring from Kentucky Wesleyan. She said girls on the team look up to Stowe.
"She is a fantastic girl," Todd said. "She is a great role model for our team and from the past years. Up until now, she's made a huge statement for herself, and all the girls can see that and look at that."
Stowe's No. 16 remains the only retired volleyball number in Tech history. She currently works as a faculty member at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business.
Johnson played on the 1953 team that finished 11-1 and beat the University of Auburn in the Gator Bowl. He was selected to the All-Border Conference team as a senior in 1954. He graduated in 1955 with a degree in arts and sciences.
Johnson said although he did not expect it, making the hall of honor was one of his greatest achievements.
"I was surprised," Johnson said. "I know that it wasn't political and it sure wasn't financial, so somebody did a good job (voting), and I appreciate it."
Reeves started at quarterback from 1978-81 and was the career leader in passing yards, touchdowns and completions when he left Tech. He played in the NFL with the Houston Oilers and also played in the USFL.
Gray holds the NCAA record for the highest rushing total in bowl history with 280 yards. He finished his career at Tech as the all-time Southwest Conference leader in touchdowns with 52. The New England Patriots drafted him in the 1990 NFL draft. He graduated from Tech with a degree in arts and sciences in 1997.
Taylor was named Defensive Player of the Year in the Southwest Conference as a junior and senior. He left Tech fifth all-time in career points and assists.
Sasser was named Consensus Player of the Year in the Southwest Conference as a senior. He led Tech to a 30-2 record and Sweet 16 finish in the 1996 NCAA Tournament.
Ince was named first team All-Border Conference twice. During his senior year in 1955, he helped a 21-5 Tech team reach the NCAA tournament for the first time in school history.
The Hall of Honor Banquet is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Oct. 12 in the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center Banquet Hall. Tickets are $50 each and $500 to reserve a table of eight. Call the Double T Association at (806) 771-4000 for tickets.
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