Tarleton extends family of fame
Four inducted into Athletic Hall of Fame
Reed Baize
Issue date: 10/18/07 Section: News
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Former football standout Rodney Webb was presented by former Tarleton President and Texas A&M University Chancellor Dr. Barry B.Thompson.
"Rodney was a young man who began his career as a freshman and helped take the team to the Sunflower Bowl," said Thompson. "He was a man who blocked - he took all the blows."
"Really what I was looking for was a bad football team," said Webb. "I wanted to get on the field as much as I could as a freshman. I wanted my dad to see me play. I came here thinking I would come and then transfer somewhere else, but I fell in love with Tarleton. I loved playing football for the Texans."
Former TexAnn basketball great Paula Phillips-Abernathie was presented by her former coach and mentor, Karen Walls.
"Everything she accomplished is because she was unselfish," said Walls. "She wanted the honors to come with the entire team winning."
"I've had a lot of good memories playing for the TexAnns," said Phillips-Abernathie. "My greatest memory of Tarleton was getting to play with my twin sister, Paula."
Former Texan coach Hal McAfee was the presenter for Robert Ivey.
"Robert chose to be an example as he went into teaching and coaching," said McAfee. "He's a role to the kids he teaches."
"I got a solid chill all over my body when I was told I was selected," said Ivey. "It means a lot to me."
The last person inducted was long time Tarleton supporter and former TSU professor, Dr. Lamar Johanson.
"The Hall of Fame is a tremendous honor," said Johanson. "I place it along side the distinguished teaching award I received from the alumni association."
Though they may be the most recent, these four inductees will definitely not be the last. As time marches on and Tarleton continues it's long heritage of athletic excellence, many more will arise and take their place amongst the greats of Tarleton's past.
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