HALL OF HONOR CELEBRATION 2022 Round Rock, TX
Presented by:
WELCOME
To The PBK Sports-THSADA Hall of Honor Celebration The Texas High School Athletic Directors Association and its Board of Directors would like to welcome you to the 12th Annual PBK Sports-THSADA Hall of Honor Celebration.
The Texas High School Athletic Directors Association and its Board of Directors would like to welcome you to the 12th annual PBK SportsTHSADA Hall of Honor Program. This is a pinnacle event for the THSADA and sponsored by long-time partner-PBK Sports. PBK Sports graciously stepped to the forefront of this event 12 years ago and realizing the significance of the Hall of Honor Program and supporting the efforts of all athletic administrators throughout the State of Texas has made this into one of the feature events during the THSADA calendar year. The Hall of Honor Program recognizes and celebrates the work, accomplishments and profile of the selected award winners. Our program features recognition of NIAAA/NFHS nominees and winners, Kelly Reeves State Award of Merit, Region Athletic Administrators of the Year, the Joe Bill Fox Award,named after the first President of the THSADA, and then the Association’s feature presentation which is the introduction of the 2022 Hall of Honor inductees. PBK Sports takes a great deal of pride in its professional relationship with the THSADA and actively supports our endeavors. PBK Sports is committed to serving athletic administrators through its commitment to development and construction of athletic facilities that are conducive to the outstanding extra-curricular programs, studentathletes and coaches throughout the State of Texas. PBK Sports and the THSADA are also very appreciative of the involvement of Balfour, which provides all the THSADA recognition plaques and awards as well as the additional Hall of Honor sponsors who help make this event possible.
THSADA Board of Directors OFFICERS President President-Elect Vice-President Past-President
David Kuykendall Debbie Fuchs Philip O’Neal Rodney Chant
Frisco ISD Clear Creek ISD Mansfield ISD San Angelo ISD
REGIONAL DIRECTORS Region 1 Region 2 Region 3 Region 4 Region 5 Region 6 Region 7 Region 8
Max Kattwinkel Phil Blue Leslie Slovak Maria Kennedy Ray Zepeda Lynn Pool Rey Ramirez Melanie Hinson
Lubbock Cooper ISD Abilene ISD Richardson ISD El Paso ISD Cy Fair ISD Austin ISD Rio Grande City CISD Southwest ISD
THSADA STAFF Executive Director Assistant Executive Director Executive Assistant/Finance Director of Administrative Services Director of Programs Director of TAAC Director of Event Operations Director of Convention Services Director of Strategic Partnerships Conference Technology Coordinator Technology Coordinator Assistant Exhibits Chair Registration Staff Convention Services Staff THSADA Intern
Rusty Dowling Bob DeJonge Diane McKay Ellissa Unger Bill Daws Johanna Denson Stuart Raty Lisa Stephenson Dave Stephenson Keith Kilgore Jeff Lillibridge Joe Barnett Carolina Arcay Ally Kinzy Jake Johnson
THSADA AWARDS COMMITTEE Russ Reeves-Chair Carlos Puerta Jody Hormann Suzette Arriola Toby Tucker Dean Colbert Luis Solorio Tracey Borchardt Todd Vesely
Rockwall ISD El Paso Cathedral Leander ISD East Central ISD Canyon ISD Aldine ISD Harlingen CISD Ector County ISD Fort Worth ISD
PBK Sports - THSADA
Hall of Honor Program
Welcome Bob DeJonge, Assistant Executive Director, THSADA Master of Ceremonies Invocation Joe Barnett, THSADA Introduction of Special Guests Bob DeJonge, Assistant Executive Director, THSADA Introduction of THSADA Sponsors/Partner Sponsors Juan Lopez, Partner, PBK Sports
Awards Presentations
Russ Reeves, THSADA Awards Chair, Rockwall ISD NFHS Citation Introduction by Todd Vesley, Fort Worth ISD Rusty Dowling, Executive Director, THSADA NIAAA Bruce Whitehead Distinguished Service Award Introduction by Jody Hormann, Leander ISD Brenda Marshall, Corpus Christi ISD Kelly Reeves State Award of Merit Introduction by Suzette Arriola, East Central ISD Presented by Whataburger Debbie Decker, Katy ISD Frank Kovaleski Professional Development Award Introduction by Brenda Marshall, Corpus Christi ISD Sandra Mader, Aldine ISD
PBK Sports - THSADA
Hall of Honor Program NIAAA Hall pf Fame (Texas) Award Introduction by Dr. Lisa Langston, Fort Worth ISD Bob DeJonge THSADA Asst. Executive Dir. THSADA Region Athletic Administrators of the Year Introduction by Russ Reeves, Rockwall ISD Presented by Balfour
Region 1 Region 2 Region 3 Region 4 Region 5 Region 6 Region 7 Region 8
Joe Sexton Del Van Cox Jennifer Frazier Carlos Puertas Ray Zepeda Todd Raymond Robert Davies Stan Leech
Lubbock-Cooper ISD Abilene ISD McKinney ISD El Paso Cathedral Cy Fair ISD Pflugerville ISD Harlingen CISD Boerne ISD
Joe Bill Fox Award Introduction by Carlos Puertas, El Paso Cathedral Award presented by Joe Bill Fox, 1st President of THSADA Harold Leverett, Balfour Awards
Hall of Honor Inductees Introductions by Juan Lopez, PBK Sports & Bob DeJonge
Don Murphy
Grand Prairie ISD - Retired Introduction, Jody Hormann, Leander ISD
Rodney Saveat
Beaumont ISD Introduction, Todd Vesley, Fort Worth ISD
Chris Feris
Birdville ISD Introduction, Suzette Arriola, East Central ISD
Debbie Decker
Katy ISD Introduction, Russ Reeves, Rockwall ISD Closing Remarks Russ Reeves, Rockwall ISD Rusty Dowling, THSADA Executive Director
DON MURPHY Don Murphy grew up in the piney woods of East Texas. He graduated from Chapel Hill High School in 1958. He was number nine of ten siblings. Don lettered in football, basketball and track while attending Chapel Hill. He was captain of the football team and was all district in football. Growing up down the road from Tyler Junior College, it was his lifelong desire to be an “Apache,” and play football for the legendary Floyd Wagstaff. Don considers himself very fortunate to have received a football scholarship to Tyler Junior College, one of the finest institutions in the state, both academically and athletically. While at Tyler, he lettered two years as an offensive and defensive lineman. He played in the National Junior College Championship game at Boise, Idaho, in 1958. He was named by the Dallas Morning News to the All Texas Junior College Football Team in 1959. He was recruited by the University of Tulsa, where he played two years as an offensive and defensive tackle. Don played on the Missouri Valley Conference Championship Team in 1962. He graduated from Tulsa University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree and received his Master’s Degree along with his Administrative Certification from East Texas State University, now University of Texas at Commerce. Don served at Lancaster High School as Head Football Coach and Athletic Director. He also led teams to two zone championships, being named Coach of the Year by Dallas Morning News in 1970.
DON MURPHY Don served as Athletic Director in Lancaster for eight years and Grand Prairie for seventeen years. He was instrumental in bringing support for girl’s athletics. He took great pride in supporting baseball, softball, soccer, wrestling, track, cross-country, and football. He was passionate about his players and coaches. He stressed high morals, strong ethics, and equity in opportunity, as well as the importance of being a part of a team. He has been very active in different community roles. He is a member of the Texas High School Coaches Association and the Texas Athletic Director’s Association. He is also a member of the Sam R. Hamilton Masonic Lodge, the Grand Prairie Rotary Club, and YMCA Campaign. Don is an active leader in the Methodist church as a Trustee Chairman for Malakoff United Methodist Church, President of Methodist Men, and Chairmen of the Administrative Council. He also volunteers for Boy Scouts of America, CASA, Labor of Love, and the Food Pantry. He has been married to his wife, Sharon, for fifty-eight years. Sharon retired from South Grand Prairie High School as an art teacher. They have two children; their son, Keith and daughter, Kristin, along with their spouses Tammy and Rudy, and as of today, four grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
RODNEY SAVEAT Rodney Saveat was born and raised in Beaumont, TX, nicknamed the ‘football capital of the world’ for the vast number of NFL football players that hail from the area. In fact, Saveat’s passion for sports and athletics was greatly influenced by watching some of the greatest neighborhood football ever played between his older brothers and the late NFL greats, Bubba Smith, Tody Smith and Jess Phillips. Rodney went on to play and excel in many sports at Charlton-Pollard High School graduating as a scholarship athlete in 1975. Saveat earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Health and Physical Education from Lamar University in 1979 and embarked upon his career in public school education shortly thereafter. Rodney’s teaching and coaching journey began in the middle schools of Beaumont ISD. Within a few years, he moved up to coach high school sports and would go on to serve as varsity football offensive coordinator and varsity head boys basketball coach at Beaumont’s Central High School. Though successful in his coaching positions, Saveat was nudged into the path of school administration. He earned his Master’s Degree in Mid-Management from Prairie View A&M and served as Assistant Principal and Principal for several years. In 2004, Rodney was promoted to Athletic Director in Beaumont ISD, a position he considers the ‘best of both worlds.’ The move allowed him to stay closely connected to sports while at the same time providing the latitude to work directly with administrators to manage and guide resources essential to support the overall success of student-athletes.
RODNEY SAVEAT This promotion also allowed him to uniquely follow in the footsteps of his beloved mentor and older brother, Michael “MJ” Mitchell, 2010 THSADA Hall of Honor Recipient. With boys’ sports already thriving at the district, regional and state levels at the time he took the helm, Saveat focused his vision and mission on elevating opportunities for female student-athletes. Under his leadership, participation in girls’ sports grew exponentially, resulting in numerous district and regional honors, several state championship appearances and garnered a state championship title in varsity girls track. Saveat is on professional career year number 43 in Beaumont ISD. He is active in THSADA, serving on various panels and committees, including as a past Chair of the Awards Committee. He is a lifetime member of the Prairie View Interscholastic League (PVILCA) and is also a PVLICA Hall of Honor Inductee, 2012. Saveat is a faithful member of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Beaumont where he is a Deacon and participates in various other ministries. He remains active in his community through various social & civic organizations and referees youth sports. Rodney’s family, including his wife Senecia, their two adult children, Jada and Derek, his siblings and scores of friends and colleagues are proud of his many accomplishments and celebrate his induction into the Texas Athletic Directors Hall of Honor 2022.
CHRIS FERIS Chris Feris grew up in Abilene, Texas, where he attended Abilene Cooper High School and enjoyed playing football and baseball. His senior year was memorable as he helped the Cooper Cougars win the 1987 UIL 5A State Championship in baseball. Feris went on to play baseball at Rice University, and upon graduation accepted a position to work in the Athletic Department for the University. Feris played, coached, and worked in the athletic department for the Owls for fourteen years. In 2003, he joined Cliff Odenwald’s staff as an Associate Athletic Director for the Plano Independent School District. Odenwald, who Feris calls a great friend and mentor, introduced him to the Texas High School Athletic Directors Association, and he has been a member ever since. While with Plano, Feris started the Plano Athletic Hall of Honor that is still in place. He was also charged with overseeing revenue development and was at the forefront in creating revenue streams that equaled the allotted budget for the athletic department at that time. In 2011, Association President Bob Dubey asked Feris to become Treasurer, and he took over a ledger that needed significant oversight. Over the next two years, he was able to work with the board to put a budget in place. His time on the board was before the new configuration of officers, so he saw a tenure on the Board that spanned over 7 years in total, becoming President and Athletic Director of the Year in 2016. During this time, Feris was on the planning
CHRIS FERIS committee that put together the outlook for an executive director of the association. This included not only the scope of duties of an executive director, but also how that individual would work with the board to oversee and grow the association. In 9 years as the Director of Athletics for Birdville Independent School District, Feris lead a district athletic program that saw a resurgence over the last decade. When hired, Feris brought a comprehensive change of expectations for his new assignment with oversight of updating facilities, as well as, belief in the Birdville community. He led a department that has been driven to compete at the state level. He remains very positive of the direction that has been established and takes pride in having helped students and coaches get the most out of their abilities, while giving the schools the best resources available to help create success on a consistent level in Birdville. This summer, Feris will start a new chapter in his career, as he moves south to become the Director of Athletics in the Conroe Independent School District. On a State level, he has been extremely proud to be a part of THSADA. His time on a board team that recognized the potential of how the association could grow and be a vital part of athletics in Texas helped lay the groundwork that has produced an Executive Director, over a thousand new members, a fully staffed home office, and finances that sustain what THSADA has become!
DEBBIE DECKER Debbie Decker graduated from Allen High School in 1986 and was inducted into the Allen ISD Athletic Hall of Honor in 2015. She graduated from East Texas State University in December 1990 with a Bachelor of Science degree. Debbie earned her master’s degree in educational administration and principal certification from Tarleton State University in May of 2003. She is a thirty-one-year educator having served as a coach/teacher for ten years and an athletic administrator for the last twenty-one years. Debbie began her career at Quinlan Ford Middle School in Quinlan, Texas before accepting a position at McKinney High School. In 1995, she became the first softball coach in the history of McKinney ISD before eventually accepting a position in the district as the assistant athletic director. In 2005, she joined Katy ISD as an assistant athletic director and was elevated to the position of Executive Director of Athletics in February of 2012. Debbie is the Past President of the Texas High School Athletic Directors Association, a member of the Texas High School Coaches Association, the Texas Girls Coaches Association as well as the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association, becoming a NIAAA certified athletic administrator in 2010.
DEBBIE DECKER Debbie is most proud of the over 750 coaches who serve the students of Katy ISD. With an emphasis on developing leadership skills and character, Debbie has helped establish well-respected and influential district-wide athletic programs that are consistently competitive and high performing. Supporting coaches who coach the kids of Katy ISD is of the highest priority for Debbie.
Past Hall of Honor Recipients NAME
SCHOOL DISTRICT
YEAR
REGION
Pete Sultis
Goose Creek ISD
1981
5
Bob Shelton
Hays CISD
1982
3
Joe Tusa
Houston ISD
1982
5
Lon Goldstein
Fort Worth ISD
1983
3
Howland Reich
Port Arthur ISD
1983
5
Shorty Lawson
Abilene ISD
1984
2
Pete Ragus
Lubbock ISD
1984
1
Joe Bill Fox
Birdville ISD
1985
3
Jack Brewer
Ector County ISD
1986
2
C.E. Haynes
Corpus Christi ISD
1986
8
Weldon Phillips
Pasadena ISD
1986
5
De Walker
Amarillo ISD
1986
1
Armando-Jeep-Gutierrez
El Paso ISD
1987
4
Arnulfo-Zam-Zamora
Laredo ISD
1987
8
Joe Golding
Wichita Falls ISD
1987
2
John McGuire
Amarillo ISD
1987
1
James L. Willingham
Fort Worth ISD
1987
3
Tom Watson
Texarkana ISD
1988
6
Jim Arnold
CFB ISD
1989
3
Gerald Myers
Pasadena ISD
1990
5
Jim Ketham
Deer Park ISD
1990
5
Ronny White
Fort Worth ISD
1991
3
Charlie Dyer
Dallas ISD
1991
3
John Clark
Plano ISD
1991
3
Carl Spoonemore
Brazosport ISD
1991
5
Mayfield Workman
Arlington ISD
1992
3
Henry Carroll
San Antonio ISD
1992
8
Marvin Gustafson
Northside ISD
1992
8
Past Hall of Honor Recipients NAME
SCHOOL DISTRICT
YEAR
REGION
Joe Means
Round Rock ISD
1993
6
Allen Boren
Klein ISD
1993
5
Jimmy Littleton
San Antonio ISD
1993
8
Clay Cox
El Paso ISD
1993
4
Ruth Meredith
El Paso ISD
1994
4
James Hyden
Arlington ISD
1994
3
Roy Wallace
Judson ISD
1995
8
Clint Humphreys
Longview ISD
1996
6
Buddy Hopson
Fort Bend ISD
1996
5
Ken Pridgeon
Cypress Fairbanks ISD
1996
5
Gerald Beal
Fort Worth ISD
1997
3
Hulin Smith
H-E-B ISD
1997
3
Homer Johnson
Garland ISD
1997
3
Leroy Crump
Alief ISD
1998
5
Sonny Lang
Amarillo ISD
1998
1
Mike Williamson
Spring Branch ISD
1998
5
Frank Arnold
Judson ISD
1998
8
Sonny Novak
Klein ISD
1998
5
B.R. "Poppy" Rodriguez
McAllen ISD
1999
7
Jim Ashmore
Houston ISD
1999
5
Greg Sherwood
Lubbock ISD
1999
1
Tommy Maddox
Edgewood ISD
2000
8
Richard Flores
Edinburg CISD
2000
7
Benny Carter
Humble ISD
2000
5
Kelly Reeves
Round Rock ISD
2000
6
Bill Jeter
Wichita Falls ISD
2001
2
Ellie Noack
Austin ISD
2001
6
Lupe "Chipper" Zamora
Harlingen CISD
2001
7
Past Hall of Honor Recipients NAME
SCHOOL DISTRICT
YEAR
REGION
Ed Cauley
Killeen ISD
2002
6
Charles Qualls
Mesquite ISD
2002
3
Bettye Zachery
Houston ISD
2002
5
James "Dub" Farris
Northside ISD
2003
8
Gaylard Fenley
Alamo Heights ISD
2003
8
Joe Rodriguez
Brownsville ISD
2003
7
Neal Wilson
Lewisville ISD
2003
3
Doug Cox
Longview ISD
2004
6
Ebbie Neptune
Eanes ISD
2004
6
Betty Roberts
Houston ISD
2004
5
Ed Warken
Galena Park ISD
2004
5
Jerry Comalander
North East ISD
2005
5
Paul Galvan
Fort Worth ISD
2005
3
Toby Ingersoll
Aldine ISD
2005
5
Don Poe
Irving ISD
2005
3
Mickey DeLamar
Mesquite ISD
2006
3
Keith Kilgore
Fort Bend ISD
2006
5
Tex Nolan
Amarillo ISD
2006
1
Joe Young
Aldine
2006
5
Joe Barnett
Irving ISD
2007
3
Ted Brevelle
GC - ISD
2007
3
Bill Bundy
Katy ISD
2007
5
Mike Jenkins
Richardson ISD
2007
3
Larry Peil
Cypress Fairbanks ISD
2007
5
Cliff Odenwald
Plano ISD
2008
3
Tim Whalen
Midland ISD
2008
2
Richard Avila
Corpus Christi ISD
2008
8
Ronnie Bell
Alief ISD
2008
5
Past Hall of Honor Recipients NAME
SCHOOL DISTRICT
YEAR
REGION
Fred Clausen
Grand Prairie ISD
2009
3
Ken Purcell
Denton ISD
2009
5
Bubba Fife
Katy ISD
2009
5
Michael Mitchell
Beaumont ISD
2010
5
Sheri Stice
Cypress Fairbanks ISD
2010
5
Daryl Wade
Houston ISD
2010
5
L.P. Jones
Spring Branch ISD
2010
5
Jim Loerwald
Round Rock ISD
2011
6
Robert Young
Klein ISD
2011
5
Pete Vela
Weslaco ISD
2011
7
Doug McCutchen
San Angelo ISD
2011
2
Rusty Dowling
THSADA
2012
5
Rudy De Los Santos
Harlandale ISD
2012
8
Gil Garza
San Antonio ISD
2012
8
Willa Gipson
Birdville ISD
2013
3
Bob Dubey
Richardson ISD
2013
3
Karen Funk
North East ISD
2013
8
Kenny Humphreys
Spring ISD
2014
5
Bill Daws
Clear Creek ISD
2014
5
Richard Thompson
Sharyland ISD
2015
7
John Crawford
Coppell ISD
2015
3
Dick Rittman
San Angelo ISD
2015
2
Kelly Horn
North East ISD
2016
8
Winlon Knowles
Pine Tree ISD
2016
6
Jim Slaughter
San Angelo ISD
2016
2
Mark Ball
Lubbock ISD
2017
1
Bob DeJonge
Keller ISD
2017
3
Tom Pruett
Victoria ISD
2017
8
Past Hall of Honor Recipients NAME
SCHOOL DISTRICT
YEAR
REGION
Ronny Peacock
Tomball ISD
2018
5
Johanna Denson
Pflugerville ISD
2018
6
Rene Aguilar
Clint ISD
2018
4
Steve Williams
Allen ISD
2020
3
Marmion Dambrino
Houston ISD
2020
5
Dr. Charles Breithaupt
University Interscholastic League
2020
6
Don Murphy
Grand Prairie ISD
2022
3
Rodney Saveat
Beaumont ISD
2022
5
Chris Feris
Birdville ISD
2022
3
Debbie Decker
Katy ISD
2022
5
Program Title Sponsor
Awards Program Sponsor
Kelly Reeves State Award of Merit Presenter
Partnering Sponsors