UT Tyler Athletics Hall of Fame Nomination Form
The University of Texas at Tyler athletics department Hall of Fame honors individuals and teams who have brought distinction to themselves and UT Tyler through their achievement, commitment, sportsmanship, and leadership in athletics.
The athletics Hall of Fame class was inaugurated in conjunction with UT Tyler's 40th Anniversary Celebration in March of 2012.
Nominees may include alumni, coaches, faculty, administrators, or friends of the UT Tyler community, as well as teams that are exceptionally distinguished through outstanding achievement or significant accomplishment.
For former student-athletes, nominees will be eligible for nomination five years after graduation and will be considered based on athletics accomplishments, academic achievements, community service, leadership, sportsmanship and citizenship. Non-student-athletes will be considered on their overall contribution and leadership to UT Tyler athletics.
Nominations
Nominations Now Open For 2024 UT Tyler Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Class: Nomination Form
Eligibility
-Former UT Tyler student-athlete five years removed from graduation
-Former UT Tyler coach/Administrator five years removed from position
-Former UT Tyler coach/Administrator with 10 years of service
-Teams are eligible at any time
Qualifications
-Athletics Accomplishments
-Academic Achievements
-Community Service
-Leadership
-Sportsmanship & Citizenship
| Name |
Induction Class |
Sport |
Accomplishments |
| Fred Kniffen |
2012 |
Men's and Women's Tennis |
• UT Tyler Tennis Coach: 1985-94
• Two-time NAIA Men's National Champions (1989, 1994)
• National runner-up in 1988
• Two-time National Coach of the Year (1989, 1994)
• 1987 Wilson Sports National Coach of the Year
• Texas Tennis Coaches Association Hall of Fame Inductee (1996)
• NAIA Hall of Fame (1996)
• Texas Tennis Hall of Fame (1999) |
| Kasey Buggs |
2019 |
Women's Basketball |
• Women's Basketball: 2004-08
• 2004-05 ASC All-Freshman Team
• Two-Time All-ASC East Division
• 2007-09 D3Hoops.com All-South Region
• 2007-08 ASC East Division Player of the Year
• Three-time Academic All-ASC |
| Adam McAlpine |
2019 |
Men's Soccer |
• Men's Soccer: 2004-08
• Three-Time ASC Regular Season Champion
• Three-Time All-ASC
• Three-Time Academic All-ASC
• Two-Time Distinguished Scholar Athlete
• 2008 CoSIDA/ESPN Academic All-District |
| Whitney Wyly |
2019 |
Softball |
• Softball: 2009-11
• Two-Time NFCA First Team All-American
• 2009 Easton Second Team All-American
• 2011 Jacoby Sportsmanship Athlete of the Year
• Three-Time All-ASC
• Two-Time NCAA Regional Champion |
| Kelsie Batten |
2023 |
Softball |
- Four Time All-American (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016)
- 2016 NFCA National Player of the Year
- UT Tyler Career Record Holder in Wins (118), ERA (1.42), Strikeouts (555), Appearances (158), Complete Games (79), Shutouts (40), Innings Pitched (817.1)
- CWSA DIII Honda Player of the Year
- Three Time All-American Southwest Conference Pitcher of the Year, Four Time First Team All-American Southwest Conference selection |
| Laura Lindsey |
2023 |
Women's Golf |
- 2012-13 NCAA Division III Individual National Champion
- Four Time All-American (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016)
- Four Time All-American Southwest Conference Selection (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016)
- UT Tyler Career Record Holder In Wins (13), Rounds at Par or Better (10), Finish Percentage (89.3%) Birdies (173)
- Two Time Academic All-American Southwest Conference Selection |
| Buck Thompson |
2023 |
Men's Track and Field |
- Three Time All-American (2012, 2013, 2014)
- Two Time USTFCCCA West Region Field Athlete of the Year (2013, 2014)
- NCAA Division III National-Runner Up (2014, Men's Discus)
- 2014 American Southwest Conference Sportsmanship Athlete of the Year
- UT Tyler School Record Holder in Shotput (16.89 m) and Discus Throw (56.94 m) |
| Kevonte Shaw |
2023 |
Men's Track and Field |
- NCAA Division III Individual National Champion - Indoor 200 Meter
- 2015 NCAA Division III All-American - Indoor 200 Meter
- Two-Time All-American Southwest Conference Selection
- UT Tyler School Record Holder in 60 Meter Dash (6.98) and 100 Meter Dash (10.50) |
| King Campbell |
2023 |
Men's Golf |
- Head Coach of the 2013 NCAA Division III Men's Golf National Championship Team
- Head Coach of the 2013 NCAA Division III Women's Golf Individual National Champion (Laura Lindsey)
- 2009 American Southwest Conference Coach of the Year
- Mentored Nine All-Americans and 37 All-American Southwest Conference Selections |
| James Vilade |
2023 |
Baseball |
- All-Time Winningest Coach in UT Tyler Baseball History With Record of 230-65
- Claimed Back-to-Back American Southwest Conference Championships (2009-2010)
- Led Program to First NCAA Division III Regional Championship Appearances (2009-2010)
- Claimed Seven American Southwest Conference East Division Championships
- Mentored 16 All-Americans and 101 All-American Southwest Conference Selections |
| 1989 Men's Tennis Team |
2023 |
Men's Tennis |
- 1989 NAIA Team National Champions
- First National Championship Team in UT Tyler Athletics History
- Featured the Singles (Ken Olivier) and Doubles (Ken Olivier & Chris Harris) NAIA National Champions
- Finished the Season Undefeated in Dual Matches |
| 1994 Men's Tennis Team |
2023 |
Men's Tennis |
- 1994 NAIA Team National Champions
- Finished the Season Undefeated in Dual Matches
- Both 1989 and 1994 National Championship Team Were Coach by UT Tyler Athletics Hall of Famer Fred Kniffen |
| 2012-13 Men's Golf Team |
2023 |
Men's Golf |
- 2013 NCAA Division III National Champions
- Featured Two PING All-Americans (Buddy Hallman, John Dukes)
- Featured NCAA Division III National Runner-Up - Buddy Hallman
- Tied for Highest National Ranking in Program History (No. 2)
- Claimed Four Team Victories Throughout the Season |
| Beth Launius |
2024 |
Women's Tennis |
- 2009 ITA Doubles All-American
- Three Time American Southwest Conference East Player of the Year
- 2009 American Southwest Conference East Sportsmanship Athlete of the Year
- Four Time All-American Southwest Conference Selection
- 2006 American Southwest Conference Freshman of the Year |
| Lindsey Peters |
2024 |
Softball |
- Two Time NFCA All-West Region Selection
- 2008 American Southwest Conference East Player of the Year
- Ranked Within the Top 10 in 10 All-Time UT Tyler Softball Offensive Records
- Four Time All-American Southwest Conference Selection
- NFCA National Player of the Week Honoree |
| Whitney Simmons |
2024 |
Women's Track and Field |
- Three Time NCAA Division III National Champion
- Seven Time NCAA All-American
- NCAA Division III Hammer Throw National Record (64.03 meters)
- Four Time American Southwest Conference Hammer Throw Champion
- Three Time USTFCCCA West Region Field Athlete of the Year |
| Chestley Strother |
2024 |
Women's Soccer |
- 2015 NSCAA All-American
- Three Time NSCAA All-West Region Honoree
- UT Tyler Women's Soccer Career Record Holder in Points and Assists
- 2015 ASC Midfielder of the Year
- Four Time All-American Southwest Conference Selection |
| 2003 Men's Soccer Team |
2024 |
Men's Soccer |
- 2003 USCAA National Champions
- 19-1 Overall Record, Most Single Season Wins in Program History
- ASC East Division Champions
- Featured Three All-Americans, ASC Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year |
