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ABILENE, Texas - McMurry University Athletics has announced its Hall of Honor "Class of 2016" set for induction on Friday, June 24, 2016. The group includes one team and five individuals who have played important roles in the life of McM's athletics program, including: the 1963 football team; Braxton Shaver (football); Jim Wollscheid (baseball); Jon Rhiddlehoover, Jr. (football/track & field); Ann Rhiddlehoover (track & field/volleyball), and; Fawn Alcorn-Pierce (who will receive the Bob and Clara Brown Award, recognizing special contributions to the program).
"We have a very impressive class entering the Hall of Honor this year," McM Director of Athletics Sam Ferguson said. "This group has impressive athletic credentials, but also some equally compelling stories in terms of what they've accomplished after their athletics careers. I am looking forward to having them share their thoughts and memories at the induction ceremony."
1963 FOOTBALL TEAM
The 1963 McMurry football team played a significant role in the history of McMurry University athletics, as well as the lineage of numerous other schools and organizations. Their legacy was defined and shaped by a singular near-tragic event - not of their own accord - which the group survived, and then parlayed, into a collection of life-changing career stories.
On September 28, 1963 - after a close loss at Northeast Louisiana State - the McM team (28 players and three coaches) were on board a DC-3 airplane for the return trip to Abilene from Monroe, La. The plane had difficulty taking off and damaged its landing gear and electrical system on two failed landing attempts trying to return to Monroe.
A decision was made, instead, to send the plane to nearby Barksdale Air Force Base, considering the damage the aircraft had sustained and with a full load of fuel on board. The plane would be forced to make a crash landing on its belly at Barksdale AFB. The airplane was a mangled wreck by the time it finally came to a skidding-stop that evening in Shreveport, but all 31 McMurry players and coaches - along with two pilots and a flight attendant - walked away from the wreckage relatively unscathed.
Afterwards, head coach Grant Teaff had cards made - listing all who were aboard the plane that night - and inscribed with Romans 8:31, "What shall we then say of these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" They also adopted the acronym B.I.B.L.E. for their "club": the Brotherhood of Indian (as McMurry teams were nicknamed at the time) Belly-Landing Experts.
Survivors of the crash went on to enjoy many successful careers. Coach Teaff not only coached at McMurry, but also Angelo State and Baylor (where he was a six-time Southwest Conference, and once national, Coach of the Year). He also went on to serve as the serve as the executive director of the American Football Coaches Association.
Assistant coach Herschel Kimbrell went on to become McMurry's all-time winningest men's basketball coach and was elected to the NAIA Hall of Fame. Fellow assistant coach Buddy Fornes succeeded Teaff as McM head coach in 1966 and held that position until 1972, before moving over to Tarleton State (1973-82).
Former McM player Tim Marcum went on from McMurry to become the winningest coach in Arena Football League history, winning seven AFL championships. Clovis Hale became a college assistant coach at Texas Tech, North Texas, Iowa, Rice and SMU. He also coached several seasons on the prep level prior to joining the college ranks. Bill Grissom, Ken Bode, James Christopher, Waco Reynolds, Winford Shipp, Doyle Slaton and Dick Spier all went on to successful high school coaching careers in Texas. Others went on to achieve success outside of athletics, as well.
All were shaped by the events of that miraculous night in Louisiana. Each was forced to confront their mortality that night in 1963 and saw God's hand hold them through their ordeal.
BRAXTON SHAVER (football)
Braxton Shaver was arguably the first quarterback in McMurry history to be recognized as an "offensive weapon." He guided the McM team from 1996-99, and was 8-2 and 7-2 as a junior and senior (a combined 23-16 in his time at McMurry).
Upon his graduation, Shaver was the owner of virtually every McM passing record and also became the first quarterback to throw for seven touchdowns in a game. His lofty career stats include 8,527 yards of total offense and 8,721 passing yards. He completed 802-of-1,115 passes for 93 touchdowns. He had a career completion percentage of 69.6-percent and a quarterback efficiency rating of 151.2.
Shaver led the McMurry program into its membership with the American Southwest Conference, as well. He earned three-all-ASC awards (1997, 98, 99) and was the league's offensive MVP as a senior. He was a USAFootball.com honorable mention all-America selection in 1999, as well.
Shaver amassed three-consecutive seasons with 2,000-plus passing yards (from 1997-99) with an annual-best mark of 2,492 yards in 1998. That year, he completed 192-of-335 passes for 34 TDs.
After earning his bachelor's degree from McMurry in business administration (1998), Shaver played five seasons for the La Courneuve Flash - located in the suburbs of Paris - in the European Football League. His team won the National French League championship three times and he set a myriad of team records. In 2009, he was a member of the Flash's inaugural Hall of Fame class.
JIM WOLLSCHEID (baseball)
Jim Wollscheid played four seasons for McMurry and was a freshman on the team that re-introduced baseball to campus in 1996. He was drafted in the 35th round of the MLB June draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 1999 and was a part of McMurry teams that had a composite record of 112-69-2 during his career!
Wollscheid was an ABCA All-Region pick in 1999. Additionally, he was named ASC All-Conference in 1999 (1st team) and 1998 (h.m.). He was also ASC first team All-West Division in 1999.
Wollscheid still holds the McM single season strikeouts record with 94 (in 1999) and career "Ks" record with 210. He is also tied for the school career record for saves with eight.
Additionally, he ranks among the career leaders for: won/lost % (#3/.769/20-6); victories (#2 tie/20); appearances (#4 tie/46); games started (#12 tie/22); complete games (#3 tie/13); innings pitched (#10/186.2); earned run average (#12/3.95); strikeouts per 9 innings (#1/10.14);
Wollscheid was also a strong student-athlete, earning four Academic All-Conference accolades. He graduated in 1999 with a business economics degree.
JON RHIDDLEHOOVER, JR. (football / track & field)
Jon Rhiddlehoover, Jr. was a four-year letterwinner for McMurry football from 1996-99 and played under Steve Keenum. He played on teams which were a combined 23-16 during his tenure.
A two time All-American at offensive tackle for McMurry (1999- 2nd team Don Hansen Football Gazette & 3rd team USAFootball.com; 1998- 1st team Hewlett-Packard). Rhiddlehoover earned three All-ASC honors (second team in 1997 and twice first team in 1998 & 1999).
In track, he competed for two seasons (1999 & 2000) under Barbara Crousen. He was a part of the "Track is Back" team of 1999 which re-introduced the sport to the campus.
Rhiddlehoover was an All-American in the discus in 2000 and the former McM record-holder in that event.
Rhiddlehoover was a two-time ASC all-conference finisher, as well. Rhiddlehoover was also named the ASC "Outstanding Field Events Performer" twice. As a senior, he earned the ASC High Point Scorer award at the championships (after taking 1st place in the shot put, discus and hammer throw). He helped McM win a pair of ASC team championships in those early years, starting a string of what would become 14-consecutive ASC crowns for the McMurry men's track & field program.
Rhiddlehoover graduated in December of 2000 with a degree in exercise & sports study. He is being inducted along with his sister, Ann, to become the first brother-sister inductees in McM's Hall of Honor.
ANN RHIDDLEHOOVER (track & field / volleyball)
Ann Rhiddlehoover, now Hurst, was a two-sport athlete for McM: track and volleyball. She was a part of the "Track is Back" team that reintroduced the sport to campus, as well.
Rhiddlehoover enjoyed an outstanding track & field career for McMurry in 1999 and 2001. She is still the school record-holder in the discus, with a throw of 163'05.00" set at the Bluebonnet Relays in 1999. She is also the ASC meet record-holder in the discus at 152'05.50".
Rhiddlehoover was also an NCAA III All-American in 1999.
Rhiddlehoover was an ASC all-conference honoree both of her seasons in track, as well. As a sophomore, she was also named to the ASC's All-Academic Team.
Rhiddlehoover graduated in May 2001 with a multidisciplinary studies degree. She is being inducted with her brother, Jon, as the first sister-brother inductees in McM's Hall of Honor.
FAWN ALCORN-PIERCE (Bob & Clara Brown Award)
Fawn Alcorn-Pierce first became involved with McMurry University by way of her late husband, Jimmy Lee Pierce.
Jimmy Lee Pierce arrived on the McM campus in the Fall of 1971 from Roswell, New Mexico, achieving his degree in the Spring of 1977. While at McM, Jimmy Lee was not a student-athlete; he was,
however, a cheerleader who simply loved athletics (several athletes were included in his large circle of friends). After graduation, he worked for McM in the admissions department until the oil business
beckoned him to pursue what turned out to be a lifelong vocation. Whether the oil business was up or down, Jimmy Lee always found a way to support athletics at McM.
Upon his Jimmy Lee's unexpected death in 2007, Fawn - together with his legion of friends - continued to financially support McM Athletics and began sponsorship of the Jimmy Lee Pierce Memorial Golf Tournament as a tribute to his love of the school. The goal is to allow McM Athletics teams a venue by which they can raise important dollars needed to reach that proverbial "next level."
With the Tournament in its sixth year, the event has created many great opportunities for the members of McMurry's sports teams. It has opened the door for young men and women representing all 19 of McMurry's athletics teams to have championship and memory-making experiences, which would not have been possible without the benefits of the golf event. Because Fawn has stood - and continues to stand - behind this important fundraising event, McMurry Athletics has been able to grow and further the important mission of the University as a whole.
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"We have a very impressive class entering the Hall of Honor this year," McM Director of Athletics Sam Ferguson said. "This group has impressive athletic credentials, but also some equally compelling stories in terms of what they've accomplished after their athletics careers. I am looking forward to having them share their thoughts and memories at the induction ceremony."
1963 FOOTBALL TEAM
The 1963 McMurry football team played a significant role in the history of McMurry University athletics, as well as the lineage of numerous other schools and organizations. Their legacy was defined and shaped by a singular near-tragic event - not of their own accord - which the group survived, and then parlayed, into a collection of life-changing career stories.
On September 28, 1963 - after a close loss at Northeast Louisiana State - the McM team (28 players and three coaches) were on board a DC-3 airplane for the return trip to Abilene from Monroe, La. The plane had difficulty taking off and damaged its landing gear and electrical system on two failed landing attempts trying to return to Monroe.
A decision was made, instead, to send the plane to nearby Barksdale Air Force Base, considering the damage the aircraft had sustained and with a full load of fuel on board. The plane would be forced to make a crash landing on its belly at Barksdale AFB. The airplane was a mangled wreck by the time it finally came to a skidding-stop that evening in Shreveport, but all 31 McMurry players and coaches - along with two pilots and a flight attendant - walked away from the wreckage relatively unscathed.
Afterwards, head coach Grant Teaff had cards made - listing all who were aboard the plane that night - and inscribed with Romans 8:31, "What shall we then say of these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" They also adopted the acronym B.I.B.L.E. for their "club": the Brotherhood of Indian (as McMurry teams were nicknamed at the time) Belly-Landing Experts.
Survivors of the crash went on to enjoy many successful careers. Coach Teaff not only coached at McMurry, but also Angelo State and Baylor (where he was a six-time Southwest Conference, and once national, Coach of the Year). He also went on to serve as the serve as the executive director of the American Football Coaches Association.
Assistant coach Herschel Kimbrell went on to become McMurry's all-time winningest men's basketball coach and was elected to the NAIA Hall of Fame. Fellow assistant coach Buddy Fornes succeeded Teaff as McM head coach in 1966 and held that position until 1972, before moving over to Tarleton State (1973-82).
Former McM player Tim Marcum went on from McMurry to become the winningest coach in Arena Football League history, winning seven AFL championships. Clovis Hale became a college assistant coach at Texas Tech, North Texas, Iowa, Rice and SMU. He also coached several seasons on the prep level prior to joining the college ranks. Bill Grissom, Ken Bode, James Christopher, Waco Reynolds, Winford Shipp, Doyle Slaton and Dick Spier all went on to successful high school coaching careers in Texas. Others went on to achieve success outside of athletics, as well.
All were shaped by the events of that miraculous night in Louisiana. Each was forced to confront their mortality that night in 1963 and saw God's hand hold them through their ordeal.
BRAXTON SHAVER (football)
Braxton Shaver was arguably the first quarterback in McMurry history to be recognized as an "offensive weapon." He guided the McM team from 1996-99, and was 8-2 and 7-2 as a junior and senior (a combined 23-16 in his time at McMurry).
Upon his graduation, Shaver was the owner of virtually every McM passing record and also became the first quarterback to throw for seven touchdowns in a game. His lofty career stats include 8,527 yards of total offense and 8,721 passing yards. He completed 802-of-1,115 passes for 93 touchdowns. He had a career completion percentage of 69.6-percent and a quarterback efficiency rating of 151.2.
Shaver led the McMurry program into its membership with the American Southwest Conference, as well. He earned three-all-ASC awards (1997, 98, 99) and was the league's offensive MVP as a senior. He was a USAFootball.com honorable mention all-America selection in 1999, as well.
Shaver amassed three-consecutive seasons with 2,000-plus passing yards (from 1997-99) with an annual-best mark of 2,492 yards in 1998. That year, he completed 192-of-335 passes for 34 TDs.
After earning his bachelor's degree from McMurry in business administration (1998), Shaver played five seasons for the La Courneuve Flash - located in the suburbs of Paris - in the European Football League. His team won the National French League championship three times and he set a myriad of team records. In 2009, he was a member of the Flash's inaugural Hall of Fame class.
JIM WOLLSCHEID (baseball)
Jim Wollscheid played four seasons for McMurry and was a freshman on the team that re-introduced baseball to campus in 1996. He was drafted in the 35th round of the MLB June draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 1999 and was a part of McMurry teams that had a composite record of 112-69-2 during his career!
Wollscheid was an ABCA All-Region pick in 1999. Additionally, he was named ASC All-Conference in 1999 (1st team) and 1998 (h.m.). He was also ASC first team All-West Division in 1999.
Wollscheid still holds the McM single season strikeouts record with 94 (in 1999) and career "Ks" record with 210. He is also tied for the school career record for saves with eight.
Additionally, he ranks among the career leaders for: won/lost % (#3/.769/20-6); victories (#2 tie/20); appearances (#4 tie/46); games started (#12 tie/22); complete games (#3 tie/13); innings pitched (#10/186.2); earned run average (#12/3.95); strikeouts per 9 innings (#1/10.14);
Wollscheid was also a strong student-athlete, earning four Academic All-Conference accolades. He graduated in 1999 with a business economics degree.
JON RHIDDLEHOOVER, JR. (football / track & field)
Jon Rhiddlehoover, Jr. was a four-year letterwinner for McMurry football from 1996-99 and played under Steve Keenum. He played on teams which were a combined 23-16 during his tenure.
A two time All-American at offensive tackle for McMurry (1999- 2nd team Don Hansen Football Gazette & 3rd team USAFootball.com; 1998- 1st team Hewlett-Packard). Rhiddlehoover earned three All-ASC honors (second team in 1997 and twice first team in 1998 & 1999).
In track, he competed for two seasons (1999 & 2000) under Barbara Crousen. He was a part of the "Track is Back" team of 1999 which re-introduced the sport to the campus.
Rhiddlehoover was an All-American in the discus in 2000 and the former McM record-holder in that event.
Rhiddlehoover was a two-time ASC all-conference finisher, as well. Rhiddlehoover was also named the ASC "Outstanding Field Events Performer" twice. As a senior, he earned the ASC High Point Scorer award at the championships (after taking 1st place in the shot put, discus and hammer throw). He helped McM win a pair of ASC team championships in those early years, starting a string of what would become 14-consecutive ASC crowns for the McMurry men's track & field program.
Rhiddlehoover graduated in December of 2000 with a degree in exercise & sports study. He is being inducted along with his sister, Ann, to become the first brother-sister inductees in McM's Hall of Honor.
ANN RHIDDLEHOOVER (track & field / volleyball)
Ann Rhiddlehoover, now Hurst, was a two-sport athlete for McM: track and volleyball. She was a part of the "Track is Back" team that reintroduced the sport to campus, as well.
Rhiddlehoover enjoyed an outstanding track & field career for McMurry in 1999 and 2001. She is still the school record-holder in the discus, with a throw of 163'05.00" set at the Bluebonnet Relays in 1999. She is also the ASC meet record-holder in the discus at 152'05.50".
Rhiddlehoover was also an NCAA III All-American in 1999.
Rhiddlehoover was an ASC all-conference honoree both of her seasons in track, as well. As a sophomore, she was also named to the ASC's All-Academic Team.
Rhiddlehoover graduated in May 2001 with a multidisciplinary studies degree. She is being inducted with her brother, Jon, as the first sister-brother inductees in McM's Hall of Honor.
FAWN ALCORN-PIERCE (Bob & Clara Brown Award)
Fawn Alcorn-Pierce first became involved with McMurry University by way of her late husband, Jimmy Lee Pierce.
Jimmy Lee Pierce arrived on the McM campus in the Fall of 1971 from Roswell, New Mexico, achieving his degree in the Spring of 1977. While at McM, Jimmy Lee was not a student-athlete; he was,
however, a cheerleader who simply loved athletics (several athletes were included in his large circle of friends). After graduation, he worked for McM in the admissions department until the oil business
beckoned him to pursue what turned out to be a lifelong vocation. Whether the oil business was up or down, Jimmy Lee always found a way to support athletics at McM.
Upon his Jimmy Lee's unexpected death in 2007, Fawn - together with his legion of friends - continued to financially support McM Athletics and began sponsorship of the Jimmy Lee Pierce Memorial Golf Tournament as a tribute to his love of the school. The goal is to allow McM Athletics teams a venue by which they can raise important dollars needed to reach that proverbial "next level."
With the Tournament in its sixth year, the event has created many great opportunities for the members of McMurry's sports teams. It has opened the door for young men and women representing all 19 of McMurry's athletics teams to have championship and memory-making experiences, which would not have been possible without the benefits of the golf event. Because Fawn has stood - and continues to stand - behind this important fundraising event, McMurry Athletics has been able to grow and further the important mission of the University as a whole.
More...