AISD Hall of Fame to induct standout players, teams
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The stage is set for the Athens ISD Athletic Hall of Fame induction dinner, set for Thursday, Dec. 5, at the Athens Country Club.
This year’s honorees include: Blake Armstrong, Morgan Mayse, the 2020 football team, and the 1929 and 1930 basketball teams.
Blake Armstrong
Blake Armstrong, a 1991 Athens High School graduate, who finished his high school career as the fourth all-time leading passer in Texas high school football history, also excelled on the baseball diamond, earning First Team All-District honors all four years. After playing football and baseball at Stephen F. Austin State University, Armstrong went on to a successful legal career and now serves as general counsel for Athens ISD and the city of Athens. Learn more about Armstrong’s storied career here.
Morgan Mayse
Morgan Mayse, a 2007 graduate of Athens High School, was a standout in both basketball and track, Mayse was a three-time state high jump medalist, including a gold in 2006, and earned multiple MVP honors on the court. After a stellar basketball career at Rice University, where she scored over 1,000 points, she pursued her dream of becoming a dentist. Learn more about Mayse’s journey here.
2010 Football Team
The 2010 Athens Hornets shattered expectations, advancing to the fourth round of the playoffs for the first time in school history and finishing with a record-setting 11-3 season. With standout performances from players like Tevin Watson, Kendall Sanders, and Austin Fincher, the team broke records for wins, points scored, and playoff victories while inspiring a community with their grit and determination. Learn more about their remarkable season here.
Basketball "Golden Era"
The legendary Athens Hornets boys’ basketball teams of 1929 and 1930 will be posthumously inducted into the Athens ISD Athletic Hall of Fame on Dec. 5. Known as the "Golden Era," these teams made history by winning back-to-back National Championships, capturing the imagination of Texas and the nation with their skill, resilience, and showmanship. Led by Coach Jimmie Kitts and standout players like John “Preacher” Tompkins and Wendell “Doc” Sumner, they left an enduring legacy in high school basketball. Read more about their remarkable journey here.