WAYNE ADAMS SOUTH HOUSTON HIGH SCHOOL CLASS ABOUT WAYNE

A standout lineman during his football days at South Houston, Wayne Adams returned to Pasadena to become one of the district’s most dedicated and energetic educators.

Wayne, one of the top track athlete and football linemen in South Houston history, had an all or nothing attitude when it came to athletics. Weighing an impressive 230 pounds, the 6-6 tackle earned All-District, All-Greater Houston and All-State honors in both football and track in high school.

His physical dominance on the gridiron as the first line of defense against opposing teams was a driving force behind many victories for the South Houston Trojans. With his defensive teammates John Miller, Lyndal Kennedy and Alvis Gammage by his side, the Trojans would finish the 1966 season 5-3-2.

In 1967, he started in the Texas High School Coaches Association All-Star Football game in San Antonio. Adams became a two-time district champion in the shot put and discus and won the silver medal in shot put at the 1967 state track meet. For more than 40 years, he held the school and school district record in the shot put.

On May 6, 1967, Wayne signed to play for West Texas State University

(now West Texas A&M), where he lettered three years in football as a starting offensive tackle, blocking for such outstanding running backs such as Eugene “Mercury” Morris (Miami Dolphins) and Duane Thomas (Dallas Cowboys). He additionally earned two letters in track.

After earning a master’s degree along with administrative and superintendent’s certifications from the University of Houston-Clear Lake, Adams returned to Pasadena ISD to serve as a teacher and coach at Dobie and South Houston High Schools. He started his first leadership position as an assistant principal at Pasadena High School, eventually working his way up to principal of the PHS Eagles. In 1998, Adams was named Region 4 Education Service Center’s High School Principal of the Year.

Wayne served on the Board of Directors of the Texas Association of Secondary School principals for six years as the Learning Coordinator for the Texas Principal Excellence Program, a TEA sponsored initiative that provided mentorship for principals from low performing schools.

After 43 years in education, all but one year at Pasadena ISD, Adams was named a founding board member, former president and consultant for

Of 1967

the Pasadena ISD Education Foundation. Wayne’s involvement in both the Texas Invitational and the Education Foundation has been a key to the success of both groups. In 2016, Adams was recognized for his contributions to the Pasadena ISD community when he was named the district’s Distinguished Alumnus of the Year.