Schreiner University: Former Students > Awards > Athletic Hall of Honor


Robert Henry Dr. Robert Henry was a coach at Schreiner College from 1982 to 1994, and was the prime mover behind the formation of the school’s varsity baseball team. “Schreiner University baseball exists largely because of the efforts of Bob Henry,” Dr. John Huddleston said. “Henry convinced the administration that baseball was a viable sport for Schreiner. He fielded the first team, procured the materials for a baseball field, and laid out and physically built much of the field which I personally believe should carry his name. He brought collegiate baseball to the Texas Hill Country.” Huddleston, who is a professor of history and dean of the School of Liberal Arts at Schreiner, nominated Henry for the Athletic Hall of Honor. He also worked for Henry. “For five years I was fortunate enough to be his assistant coach, and during that time I watched Coach Henry build and nurture the baseball program. His contribution to what was then Schreiner College was huge,” Huddleston said.
Before Henry became a Schreiner art instructor and sports coach, he taught and coached at other schools on the high school and college level. He also worked as a special scout for some professional ball clubs, including the Philadelphia Phillies, Cleveland Indians and Chicago Cubs. He played baseball in high school and college. “I had a chance to play professionally, but probably would have stayed in the minor leagues,” Henry said. He came to Schreiner in what he smilingly refers to as “the pioneer days,” when Schreiner was changing from a two-year to a four-year institution. Part of that change involved becoming eligible to join the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. “To join NAIA, we needed another men’s sport,” Henry said. “Baseball was the most economical to add. In those days, we had more bills than money.” While the basics of the baseball program were being put together, Henry worked on the art department curriculum and coached women’s basketball and soccer. He was the first coach of the soccer team. “We won our first match and that’s it,” he said. “I always say I was the soccer bus driver. The only thing I knew about soccer was how to spell it.” Henry coached the baseball team without pay for its first year, and put more than $5,000 of his own money into the program in its first half decade. Local companies helped by donating some of the building supplies and volunteers —including Schreiner alumni, faculty, staff and students—helped build dugouts and stands and set up the field. “Texas Ranger manager Bobby Valentine, a friend of mine, donated the special infield dirt mix and the infield grass—just like the Rangers had on their field,” Henry recalls. Virtually everything the team needed came through volunteers and donations of money, time and sweat. Henry said it was “a lot like a barn-raising. Everyone pitched in.” Henry and his teams maintained the playing field. “A lot of times before a game, the team would be practicing and I would be on the riding lawnmower,” he remembered. “They had bets as to who could hit me as I mowed around the field. I had to keep one eye on the grass and the other on home plate.” In Henry’s time at Schreiner, his baseball teams won 255 games went on to post-season play-offs eight times. They were NAIA District 4 champions three times. Both current Schreiner head baseball coach Joe Castillo and JV head coach Rodney Holland played for Henry, and were team captains. Sixteen Schreiner players coached by Henry were named to all-conference teams, and one of his players, David Hulse, was an NAIA All-American. Five players were drafted by professional clubs. Hulse went on to play in the majors for the Texas Rangers. Henry went on to become an ordained youth minister. He stays in touch with many of his former players. His former volunteer assistant coach, John Huddleston, would like to see the Schreiner baseball field named for Henry, as the moving force behind all the donations and organization that made Schreiner baseball possible. “If I had my choice,” said Henry, “I’d call it Pioneer Field. Schreiner’s come so far, and I’m proud of how far they’ve come. But I’m also proud to have been on that first wagon train.”


Charles H. Johnston, Jr. Schreiner honored Charles H. Johnston, Jr. ’32 as a Distinguished Alumni in 1990 for his important contributions to Kerrville and Kerr County as a business leader and volunteer. This year, the University honors him for his football career by inducting him posthumously into the Athletic Hall of Honor. Johnston was nominated by his daughter Betsy Johnston Rhoden. “I nominated my father for the Athletic Hall of Honor because he was absolutely the best father in the entire world and I just knew that being selected would have meant so much to him,” Rhoden said. “I am so grateful to the committee for selecting him for this wonderful honor.”
Johnston was a quarterback for Tivy High School before coming to Schreiner Institute in 1930, where he played for Coach H. C. “Bully” Gilstrap, who was inducted into Schreiner’s Athletic Hall of Honor in 2004. Johnston played quarterback for Schreiner for two years. After one game, a local sports reporter wrote of him: “The consistent work of Johnston at quarter, a most valuable aid to the team the entire season, was particularly outstanding.” After leaving Schreiner, Johnston went on to play for The University of Texas Longhorns, lettering for two years. He also was an excellent student and a member of the Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society for Junior Colleges. In later years, his service to the community led to his being named Outstanding Citizen of the Year by the Kerrville Chamber of Commerce, as well as becoming a Schreiner distinguished alumnus. “One of his proudest moments came when he was named an Alumnus of the Year by Schreiner College,” Rhodan said. “It was an honor he treasured, but knowing him as I well as I did, I suspect that an award honoring his beloved football days would bring a bigger smile to his face.”

2007 ATHLETIC HALL OF HONOR INDUCTEES

CLIFF KELLETT

When Livingston resident Cliff Kellett ’51 is inducted into the Schreiner University Athletic Hall of Honor on April 21, 2007, it will be a moment that will bring him full-circle.

Over the years, Kellett has given tirelessly to Schreiner, especially to the former student association. During that service, one of his proudest moments occurred when his dream of establishing an Athletic Hall of Honor become a reality in 2003.

Bill Thompson ’51, who played football with Kellett, and has stayed friends with him throughout their lives, nominated Kellett for the Hall of Honor.

“Cliff really had to battle to get the Athletic Hall of Honor established— without a go-getter like him there would be no such organization today,” Thompson said.

When Kellett arrived at Schreiner Institute in 1950, his reputation as an outstanding athlete preceded him. His Galveston high school coach called him “the best small tackle I have coached.” While at Schreiner, Kellett played guard for what turned out to be the most successful Schreiner football team in a decade, with an undefeated home game record and an overall 7-3 season. Leaving Schreiner after his first year, Kellett went on to star as an All South Texas Conference guard at Wharton Junior College, and then as an offensive/defensive guard at Lamar University, where he graduated in 1954.

Kellett served in the U.S. Army in Korea, where in addition to his military duties, he played on the Korea Championship Team, All Far East All-Star team. When Kellett returned to Beaumont, joined Gulf Consolidated Services, rising to vice president before his retirement in 1990. In addition to a long, successful business career Kellett gave untiringly of his time and energy to a wide range of Beaumont-area community organizations including Boy’s Haven, 4-H, FFA, and the Young Men’s Business League.

Upon retirement to Lake Livingston with May Dell, his high school sweetheart and wife of 53 years, Kellett remained active in community affairs, continuing his work with 4-H and FFA, Lions Club, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Polk County Youth Rodeo Association and many other volunteer jobs. Throughout the years, Kellett has been recognized many times for his work with volunteer organizations.

With Kellett’s 2007 induction into the Athletic Hall of Honor, which he fought so hard to establish, his dedication to the success of generations of Schreiner athletes has come full circle. “This is one honor that I cherish very much,” Kellett said. “I particularly want to thank all of the people who helped me along the way.”

JOE LOVE HEDRICK

Longtime Franklin ISD football coach, Joe Love Hedrick will be inducted into Schreiner University’s Athletic Hall of Honor on April 21.

Hedrick graduated from high school in 1939, after which he enrolled in Schreiner Institute. Hedrick was a standout football player at Schreiner under the legendary coaches W.C. “Heine” Weir and Rex Kelly. After graduating in 1941, he attended Tulsa University where, playing under coach Henry Franka, he capped his college athletic career by playing in the 1943 Sugar Bowl.

After graduating from Tulsa with a degree in business administration Hedrick joined the U.S. Marines, and participated in several of the toughest battles of the World War II Pacific Theater. He was proudest of his service in the battle for Iwo Jima, during which he was both wounded and decorated with the Bronze Star for exceptional bravery under fire.

After the war, Hedrick returned home to marry Tillie Kunover. He earned his master’s in education from Texas A&M, and to begin a long and distinguished career in coaching for Franklin ISD, where he served as both coach and teacher from 1946 to 1985. Hedrick was head football coach for most of his career with Franklin ISD and, in addition, served as Superintendent of Schools from 1965 to 1985. He and Tillie had six children, all of whom are college graduates, and who have pursued careers as varied as teacher, lawyer, and engineer.

One of those children, Joseph Lawrence Hedrick, said his father would be really excited about being inducted into the Athletic Hall of Honor. “He was very fond of Schreiner and the time that he spent there,” Hedrick said. “It was a very special place to him.”

A Schreiner classmate and teammate of Hedrick’s, Frank Crain ’40, remembers him as “a perfect example of a man who always addressed every activity with integrity, good will, and a genuine desire to improve his community, and to instill these qualities in the young men and women he encountered.”

Hedrick was inducted into the Texas High School Coaches Association’s Hall of Honor in 1979, and when he finished his coaching career in 1985, his teams had amassed a lifetime record of 247 wins, 119 losses, and 15 ties. During his tenure, Hedrick’s teams won 13 district championships, 6 bi-district championships, 2 regional championships and 2 quarterfinal championships. With Hedrick’s induction into the Schreiner University Athletic Hall of Honor, the memory of one its finest scholar/athletes will be enshrined at this school that he loved and supported throughout his long and distinguished life.

2006 ATHLETIC HALL OF HONOR INDUCTEES

		Tom Ball, Jr. Schreiner University has named Tom Ball, Jr. to its Athletic Hall of Honor. He will be honored at a banquet on April 1, during Recall, Schreiner University’s annual homecoming event. When Tom Ball, Jr., '42 entered Schreiner Institute in 1940 he was already a celebrated high school football player. To this day he is remembered throughout East Texas as a versatile triple threat running back, who was strong on both offense and defense.

In his freshman year at Schreiner, Ball excelled as half-back and punter. According to the 1940 Recall, the team, under Coach Rex Kelly, began the season with the motto “Nothing less than the conference championship.” On November 22 that dream came true as Schreiner defeated Kilgore Junior College for the Texas Junior College Championship. Of that season Recall states, “Tom Ball’s punting….. was worthy of mention and commendations.” He was named captain of the 1941 Mountaineers, and although the season record reflected four wins and three losses, Ball once again distinguished himself on the field. After having his education disrupted to serve in World War II, he finished his education and went on to distinguish himself in his professional life, retiring as a vice-president with Paine-Webber Investments in 1999. Ball makes his home in Houston, where he enjoys spending time with his two children and four grandchildren.

		W. C. (Heinie) Weir W.C. (Heinie) Weir '45 was Schreiner Institute’s head football coach and athletic director from 1937 until 1945. After that he served in a variety of other roles at Schreiner, retiring as academic dean in 1971. Weir served as captain of the Texas A&M football team in his senior year there, wrote Sam M. Junkin '51, former Schreiner president in his nomination. “When his leg was broken in a game, the A&M coach told the student body to be ready, that someone might be called from the stands during the game. Hence was born the 12th man tradition,” wrote Junkin. He went on the say, “In many ways, Coach Weir was a stern man, one who did not rest easy with what he considered ‘nonsense.’ But, he was respected and he served Schreiner admirably.”

		William G. Gillis Jr. William G. Gillis, Jr., '37 distinguished himself while at Schreiner Institute having been Best All-Around Cadet, a football and track letterman, and a member of Phi Theta Kappa. He was from Cameron, Texas. Maj. Gillis '41 went on to glory at the U. S. Military Academy at West Point, where he was a cadet lieutenant, captain of the 1940 football team and a three-year track letterman.

He was killed in action October 1, 1944 in Gremercy Forest in France during WW II. When he died Gillis was married to Lenore Riley Mudge '37. Gillis received the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts, Distinguished Service Order (British), Croix De Guerre, Silver Gilt and Vermillion Stars (French). As a testament to his popularity and the legacy he left behind, West Point dedicated the Gillis Field House in his memory in 1989.

		Rex Kelly Rex Kelly '52 coached track and football and taught Spanish at Schreiner Institute from 1935 to 1952. Sam Junkin '51, who nominated Kelly, said, “Rex was an outstanding track coach, but an even better friend. Often a friend to the least likely. Many are the stories of the young men Rex ’adopted’ when all others had given up. I have heard of those the administration voted to suspend, only for Rex to ask that they be given one more chance and that he be given responsibility. After his service to Schreiner, Rex became and full-time rancher, but he kept up his relationships to his athletes and other Schreiner students. He was a rare and wonderful man.”

2005 ATHLETIC HALL OF HONOR INDUCTEES

Claude R. “Chena” Gilstrap
His Schreiner Institute classmates knew him as “Chena” in the 1930s. Schreiner students and athletes in the 1950s knew him simply and affectionately as “Coach.” Claude R. Gilstrap played many roles during his long and distinguished life—mentor, friend, athlete, visionary, humorist, inspirational leader, colleague, role model, and outstanding citizen.

He was born in 1914 in Granger, Texas, and by the time he got to Schreiner he was already a physical and moral force to be reckoned with. Gilstrap's older brother, H.C. “Bully” Gilstrap, had preceded him to the Institute in 1925 and became famous as the coach who built Schreiner into a football powerhouse. Chena arrived in 1933 as a student and is remembered as one of Schreiner's outstanding athletes.

In 1950, after coaching high school and junior college teams across Texas, the younger Gilstrap took over the reins of Schreiner's football program from Leo Daniels and promptly led the Mountaineers to their most successful season in a decade. He left Schreiner in 1953 to become head football coach and athletic director at Arlington State College—now University of Texas at Arlington—where he spent 22 years and coached more winning teams than anyone else in that school's history.

During Coach Gilstrap's tenure at Schreiner and again while he was at Arlington State, he was honored as Coach of the Year by regional and national sports organizations, and was inducted into both the Texas Sports Hall of Fame and the National Football Hall of Fame. Many of Coach's players went on to distinguished careers in sports, public service and business. At his memorial service in 2002, these protégés returned with heartfelt words of praise not only for his leadership and inspiration, but also for his integrity, dignity, patience, compassion, self-discipline, respect for others, high ideals and ethical standards, and for his sense of humor.

One of these protégés, Bobby Lane, who had been an assistant coach under Chena at Arlington and went on to become a National Football Hall of Famer himself, said “He was probably the greatest motivator of kids I have ever known. If anyone should have a lasting legacy, it's him, for the number of lives he touched and the young men he meant so much to over the years.”

2004 ATHLETIC HALL OF HONOR INDUCTEES


Schreiner University has announced its 2004 Athletic Hall of Honor inductees. They are John R. "Bob" Bowmer '53, the late H.C. "Bully" Gilstrap, the late Donald "Red" Richardson '51 and Donald W. Suman, Sr. '38. Schreiner will honor the inductees, along with two Distinguished Alumni, during a recognition banquet at 6 p.m. April 1 at the Floyd A. and Kathleen C. Cailloux Campus Activity Center. The public is invited to attend. Cost is $40 per person- call (830) 792-7201. The keynote speaker at the banquet will be Grant Teaff, executive director of the American Football Coaches Association and Baylor's all-time winningest coach. Teaff was head football coach at Baylor for 21 years, leading the Bears to Southwest Conference titles in 1974 and 1980. Schreiner created the Athletic Hall of Honor in 2003 to celebrate former students' athletic achievements during their years at Schreiner and afterward.

	John R. "Bob" Bowmer Bowmer was quarterback at Schreiner for two years, leading the team to 6-4 and 5-4-1 records. He was selected twice as All Conference and All State Quarterback. He also played tennis at Schreiner, and was No. 1 in doubles and No. 2 in singles. Bowmer then played football for the University of Texas for two years before serving two years in the U.S. Army. He then earned his bachelor's degree in geology from Midwestern State University. He worked for Shell Oil for almost eight years before being offered a position with Morgan Stanley Dean Witter in 1967. Today, he is a vice president and financial advisor at Morgan Stanley. Gilstrap played football, basketball and ran track at the University of Texas from 1921 to 1923. In 1925, he was named the head coach of a young Schreiner football team. He built the team into one of the state's top junior college powers. The highlight of his 12 years at Schreiner was winning the state junior college football championship in 1935.

H.C. "Bully" Gilstrap

In 1937, Gilstrap was hired as an assistant football coach at UT. He coached football at UT for 20 years. In addition, he coached basketball at UT for three years, compiling a 43-28 record and leading his team to the Southwest Conference basketball co-championship and to a runner-up finish in the NCAA Tournament.

Gilstrap retired from coaching in 1956 and became a physical-training instructor at UT until retiring in the early 1970s. He was voted into the Longhorn Hall of Honor in 1968. He died in 1989 at the age of 87.

Donald "Red" Richardson

Richardson was a punter for the Schreiner football team, earning the All-Pioneer Conference punting crown in 1950. He also assisted the Schreiner track team to an undefeated year in 1950, taking first place in the high jump, placing second in the broad jump and running a leg on the championship 440-yard relay team. After graduating from Schreiner, he attended Alabama University.

Richardson's love for sports continued into his adulthood‹he played semi-pro football, softball and basketball; he coached a semi-pro women's basketball team; and he officiated football, basketball and baseball. He died in 1984.

Donald W. Suman, Sr.

Suman was first team All-State in football at Schreiner in 1938 and second team All-State in basketball that same year. He then played football and basketball at Rice before leaving at the end of his junior year to enter the U.S. Air Force. While at the second stage of his pilot training, he injured his knee and was given an Honorable Medical Discharge.

Suman returned to Rice and graduated in 1944. He then worked for Rice, eventually becoming the assistant basketball coach in 1947 and head basketball coach in 1949. In 1954, his team won the Southwest Conference Championship, with a 23-5 record. That same year he was named Outstanding Coach of the Year in the Southwest Conference.

After coaching for 10 years at Rice, he went to work for an American League Professional football team for three years and then joined John L. Wortham and Son Fire and Casualty Insurance Agency, where he remained for 22 years until his retirement in 1985.

2003 ATHLETIC HALL OF HONOR INDUCTEES

Schreiner University has announced its 2003 Athletic Hall of Honor inductees. They are Raymond Berry '51, Roland Ingram '62, Dr. Charles Johnson '58, the late H.N. "Jack" Stevens '24 and Bill Thompson '51.

Raymond Berry

Berry played football at Schreiner Institute in 1950, helping the team finish its most successful season in 10 years with a record of 73. He then played football at Southern Methodist University, before being drafted into the NFL by the Baltimore Colts in 1955. During his 13 years as wide receiver for the Colts, he was a member of two world championship teams. When he retired, he had caught more passes- a then-record 631 than any other player in pro football history. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame five years after he retired. See Sports Illustrated April 22, 2008: "The Best Game Ever" by Mark Bowden

Berry coached in the NFL for 19 years, including six seasons as head coach of the New England Patriots. He led the team to five playoff games, an AFC East Division title, an AFC championship and a Super Bowl. In 1985, he was selected NFL coach of the year by The Vince Lombardi Committee.

Roland Ingram Ingram attended Schreiner Institute for one year but during that time he left his mark as one of Schreiner's tennis legends. He helped lead the 1962 SI team to the 1962 National Junior College Team Championship, where the team captured the title. Ingram was both the singles and doubles champion at the tournament. After leaving Schreiner Institute, attended North Texas State University, where he earned his bachelor's and master's degrees. He coached at Amarillo High School from 1966 to 1973; coached at Midland College from 1973 to 1974; was the tennis pro at Amarillo Town Club from 1974 to 1975; and was the tennis pro at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth from 1976 to 1983.

In 1983, Ingram was hired as the head women's tennis coach at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth. While coaching at TCU, he was named Southwest Conference Coach of the Year in 1986 and 1991; Western Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 2000 and 2001; Southwest Regional Coach of the Year in 2001; and Conference USA Coach of the Year in 2002. He was inducted into the Texas Tennis Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1995. Under his leadership, the TCU women's tennis team was named conference champions in 1991, 2000, 2001 and 2002. Ingram retired in 2002, after 19 years at TCU. "Schreiner was very special. It was the right school at the right time for me. I don't think I would have finished college if I had gone to any other school," said Ingram, who lives in Fort Worth. "I would not have met: Dr. Edington who had the faith in me to admit me as the first ex-serviceman to school, Mr. Hammond whose wisdom and patience allowed me to pass physics, Mr. Wilbourn who taught me that history was filled with real people who had something to teach to future generations, Mr. Ainsworth who made me fall in love with literature and drama, and especially Mr. Becker who taught me more by example than any other person in my life."

Dr. Charles Johnson

Johnson played football, basketball and golf at Schreiner Institute from 1956 to 1958. He then attended New Mexico State University, where he was quarterback of the football team. His college career included two consecutive Sun Bowl victories and an undefeated 11-0 record in 1960. The team recorded 23 wins and only nine losses during Johnson's three years. His jersey number33 is the only number ever retired in more than 105 years of New Mexico State football.

While at NMSU, Johnson continued his military training that began at Schreiner and was the Army ROTC Cadet Commander one semester. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant after graduating with a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering.

Johnson then played 15 years as an NFL quarterback in St. Louis, Houston and Denver. He was selected for the NFL Pro Bowl in 1963 and was named AFC All Conference in 1973. He started in more than 110 games, winning 65 of those. During his pro career, Johnson continued his education and received his master's and doctoral degrees from Washington University in St. Louis. He also served two years on active duty assigned to NASA in Virginia. He was honorably discharged as a Captain, USAR.

After 30 years of working in private business in Houston, Johnson returned to New Mexico State in January 2000 as professor and head of the department of engineering. He has been inducted into the Big Spring High Hall of Fame, NMSU Hall of Fame, Sun Bowl Legends and the Denver Bronco Ring of Fame.
" I have said for years that Schreiner had a huge impact on my life and education," said Johnson, who lives in Mesilla, N.M. "At Schreiner, I learned to discipline myself to study as was necessary in a tight, military-based schedule. And, I learned how to study from a very demanding, but caring and supportive faculty."

H.N. "Jack" Stevens

Stevens was quarterback and captain of Schreiner Institute's first football team, scoring the team's first touchdown during a Sept. 28, 1923, game against Junction.

On Feb. 13, 1924, Stevens married Dorothy Doyle of Kerrville, left Schreiner and began his 40-year career working at the Fawcett Furniture Company. He was active in the Kiwanis Club, Chamber of Commerce and Appliance Dealers Association of Kerrville.

"The letter I received from (then Schreiner Institute president) Dr. J.J. Delaney in the spring of 1923 probably did more to change my life than any other one thing," Stevens was quoted as saying in a 1980 SCENE magazine article. Stevens died on Dec. 5, 1983, at the age of 79.

Bill Thompson

Thompson was quarterback at Schreiner Institute from 1949 to 1951. He helped his 1950 team finish with a 6-2 season. After leaving SI, Thompson attended Sam Houston State College, where he led his team to two championships and two bowl games. Thompson graduated from Sam Houston with bachelor's and master's degrees.

After graduation, Thompson coached football at high schools in Hallettsville, Livingston and Vidor. In 1962, Thompson and his family moved to Baytown, where he coached at Horace Mann Junior School. In 1968, he became the defensive coordinator at Robert E. Lee High School in Baytown.

In 1969, he helped lead the Lee Ganders to their first district title in a decade. The Ganders went to the regional finals in 1970, were co-champs in 1973, district champs in 1976 and regional champs in 1979. (Sports reporters have named that 1979 game against La Porte as one of the "Ten Best Games of the Decade," with the Ganders winning 30-28.) Thompson retired from coaching in 1985.

"The advantages Schreiner offered its students were many. The campus was small and friendly. The professors were helpful and caring. The distractions were few, therefore, grades and study habits become very important. The friendships made there have lasted a lifetime. We look forward to returning to campus Recall every year," said Thompson, who lives in Baytown.

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