The Thomas Jefferson High School Alumni Association is proud to announce the 2011 Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony, to take place prior to kickoff of the TJ vs. Bryan Adams football game Friday, September 23rd at Loos Field, 3815 Spring Valley Rd. Addison, TX 75244. Kickoff is at 7:30 PM and the induction ceremony will begin at 7:10 PM. All are invited to a tailgate affair beginning at 5:30PM with catering provided by the Hamburger Man, donations accepted. For more information, please contact Bryan West, TJ ’82 – 214 -725 – 3797, Bryan_West@McAfee.com

2011 Inductees

David Somerville, Class of ‘60
David Somerville was a 3-year letterman in basketball, All State Tournament team 1959, Captain of the 1960 basketball team, All City basketball 1959 and 1960 and All State first team 1960, As a junior, the 6’-2” forward Dave Somerville was selected for the All Tournament Team for the Archie Porter coached 1959 TJ team competing in the 4A championship game losing to Pampa 65-52. He averaged 16 ppg that year and was selected 2nd team All-State by the Texas Sports Writers Assoc. He had an even better senior year averaging 21.4 ppg and being selected 1st team All-State by the TSWA. He was the leading scorer for the north squad in the 1960 All Star game with 11 points. He went on to have a three solid years on the varsity SMU Mustang team under coach E. O. “Doc” Hayes when SMU was Southwest Conference Co-Champions his sophomore year (61-62).Employed in Securities business 40 yrs in Dallas, presently with Wachovia Securities.

Guy Thomas, Class of ‘72
Guy Thomas was an offensive lineman and member of the TJ 1970 District Championship football team that included 9 players who received Division I football scholarships. The 1970 Team coached by Allen Kirk, played South Oak Cliff in the Cotton Bowl for the City Championship. Guy was Co Captain with Greg Hill of the 1971 team that finished second in District and was named to the All District and All City teams. He was named to the “Texas Football Magazine” All State Team, played in the Texas High School All Star Game and The Oil Bowl game between Texas and Oklahoma. After receiving scholarship offers from all major universities he followed fellow TJ Alumni, Kris Silverthorn, Rory Best and John Blackburn to Southern Methodist University. Guy was a 4 year starter at SMU, was two time All Southwest Conference and Honorable Mention All American. He finished his football career playing in the “American Bowl” college all star game. He was later named to the SMU All Decade Team. Guy recently retired, after a 25 year career with Coca Cola Enterprises where he was Vice President of US Sales Operations. Guy is now a partner with fellow TJ alum Ken Barth in Sound Perfection, a Home Security/Home Theater Company with offices in Dallas and Houston.. He lives in Dallas with his wife Lyn, he has three sons, (Russell, Kyle, Zachary) and 5 grandchildren.

Betty Werner, Class of ’66
Growing up in the heart of Texas, Werner knew what her passion was at a young age. Battling anybody she could in any sport was just the beginning to an illustrious 40-year career that paved the way for both male and female athletes today.

Her love for tennis started it all. At Thomas Jefferson High School in Dallas, the women’s tennis coach saw her playing at a boys’ basketball practice and suggested she play on the tennis team. She did and an athletic career was born. She went on to have a successful career, playing No. 1 singles and doubles, playing the Texas Tennis Circuit and earning the Dallas Tennis Association Sportsmanship Award in 1964.

Werner graduated high school in 1966 and went on to the University of Tulsa where she played tennis. She played No. 3 singles from 1967-68 and No. 1 singles from 1969-70 and finished in 1970 with a Bachelor of Science. She went straight to graduate school and finished with a Master of Education at the University of Missouri in 1971. She then went on to play tennis after college and was ranked No. 1 in women’s doubles and No. 3 in women’s singles in Louisiana in 1971-72. She also claimed several international championships in racquetball, and was hired at Maryville College as an instructor of health and physical education.

She was then hired as the Women’s Athletics Director at Drake in 1974. She was the youngest female administrator in collegiate athletics history (at the time) and the first female administrator at the University. In 1979, when President Jimmy Carter implemented Title IX throughout the collegiate level, women were given the opportunity to have scholarships for the first time at universities around the country and Werner was at the center of it all. In 1982, she was appointed to the committee of the NCAA’s flagship sport, women’s basketball. She served on the groundbreaking committee for five years. While with the group, she was the CBS Liaison, bringing women’s athletics at the collegiate level to national television for the first time. “Betty has done so much in establishing opportunities for young people – specifically women,” said Athletics Director Dr. William Husak. “Everyone you talk to will tell you she did it with so much love. Betty will be deeply missed. Words do not do justice in describing how wonderful she was to so many.”

Werner was hired to oversee all internal operations of the athletics department at LMU in 2000. During her time, the Lions saw unprecedented success, including the program’s first conference titles in women’s tennis, women’s basketball and men’s golf, and the first-ever NCAA tournament appearances for men’s and women’s soccer – all sports she supervised. As her career took new heights, Werner continued to stay involved with the sport that started it all. Werner served as chairperson on the NCAA Joint Men’s and Women’s Tennis Committee. Under her direction, Werner brought both the men’s and women’s tennis championship to the same competitive site, bringing a heightened marketing exposure to the sport. “Betty was a strong leader and active participant in the NCAA tennis community for many years. We all miss her tenacity and forthright opinion that help shape college tennis for the past decade.” Dartmouth Head Coach Chuck Kinyon said.

On August 16, 2008, LMU and the tennis world lost a dear friend. Betty Werner passed away at her home in Torrance, CA after a five-month battle with cancer. She was 59.

2010 Inductees

Stan Ley, Class of ‘68
Stan Ley was a crew-cut, slightly unorthodox lefty, often shooting runners and layups off of wrong foot. Stan was leader of the 1968 team that narrowly lost the Championship game to a powerful Houston Wheatley 85-80. Notwithstanding the loss in the title tilt, some people say it was the best TJ team of the six that made the trip to Austin in twelve-year period (1959-70). It was a well-balanced squad and had players who garnered more individual awards, but Stan was the point man in charge of the offensive/defensive attack. Unlike any of his senior teammates he was a two-sport star, excelling in baseball as well, part of an all-TJ all-city outfield. He went on to play both sports at Paris JC and then baseball at Arkansas. Stan is a successful dry cleaning magnate in the North Dallas area and a top-notch guy.

Andy Beene Class of ‘75
Andy Beene was the first superstar of the Gerald Turner baseball years; he pitched Baylor to the College World Series, no hit the Texas Longhorns and pitched for the Milwaukee Brewers professionally. As an aside I can mention that his ability to bark like a dog is alternately one of the most frightening and humorous talents these eyes have ever witnessed.

Jim Langham – Class of ’60
Jim Langham was a 3 year letterman in track at TJ as a hurdler/sprinter. A state champion in the open 440 and 440 yard relay and a leader on TJ’s two District champion track teams. During his Jr.year he ran the first leg of the 440 yard relay team which also won the state championship in 1959. At SMU Jimmy ran a leg on a mile relay team with the best time in the nation that year.

Jimmy graduated from SMU with a degree in business accounting and worked for Southwestern Life Insurance Co before going into fulltime accounting. He has worked on TJ events for years. He is married to Carol Langham and has 2 children and 3 grandchildren

2009 Inductees

Debbie Fine, Class of ‘88
All State Soccer player later an All American and Final Four Participant at George Mason University and represented her country at The Pan-Am games and the Jr. Olympics. Currently a successful Principal at Haltom High School

Reyna (Ronnie) Thompson, Class of ‘81
Ronnie played on the football team at TJ during all 4 years of high school. He played at defensive back, running back and quarterback. He ran track all 4 years of high school. He had the fastest time in the nation as a senior in 1981. He was the State champion in 1981 in the 110meter high hurdles. Other track and field events he excelled in included 300m intermediate hurdles and 4x100m relay. He attended Baylor University on a football/track scholarship. There he excelled in the 110m high hurdles and the 4x100m relay teams. He was the Southwest conference champion in the 110m high hurdles. He played on the Baylor Bears football team as a cornerback and special teams player. During his college football career, the Bears were selected to the Bluebonnet Bowl and the Liberty Bowl. He was drafted by the Miami dolphins in 1986 at the positions of cornerback and Special Teams. He played with the Dolphins from 1986-1989 and then went to the New York Giants until 1992. His last year in the NFL was with the New England Patriots. He retired from the NFL in 1994. During his 8 years in the NFL, his honors included being a member of the World Champion – Super Bowl winning New York Giants, he was selected to the Pro Bowl , was All- pro, as well as a member of the All- Madden Team several years. . He was also featured on the Wheaties box. He has been featured in Sports Illustrated, where Sports Illustrated writer Peter King described him as: ”the greatest special team’s player ever”.

Buddy Nichols, class of 1958
Buddy was first graduating class at TJ, Captain, 58 football team, All City End 1957, superb pass receiver, can’t remember him ever dropping a pass, Four year football scholarship to SMU, 3 sport letterman and starter at TJ, football, basketball and baseball, Shortstop on TJ 1958 District, City, BiDistrict Champions, earned 5 letters in 2 years at TJ. At SMU Buddy was a 3 year letterman in football and 2 year starter, he was Academic All Southwest Conference and Academic All American his Senior year, he was named to SMU’s 2 prominent honor societies. As President and owner he built The Sidlinger Corporation into the world’s leading manufacturer and seller of trampolines through distribution all over the world as JumpKing

2008 Inductees

Earl Johnson Class of ‘82
Earl attended Thomas Jefferson High School in Dallas Texas from 1979-1982. He was a multi-sport performer where he lettered in Football, Basketball and Track & Field. His senior year at TJ, he led the Dallas/Fort Worth area in rushing yards, exceeding the 1,400 yard milestone. Immediately following graduation from TJ, Earl played in the Texas All Star Football game and was recognized as the Most Valuable Player.Earl was heavily recruited by many of the major universities such as Texas, SMU, Arkansas, Texas A & M, and Arizona State before committing to attend the University of Oklahoma ….OU Sooners! While attending OU on a football scholarship, Earl had great success. He rushed for over 1,600 yards and scored 17 touchdowns only playing for 2 full seasons due to multiple season ending knee injuries.

Some other significant accomplishments during Earl’s OU Career:

• 1983 – UPI Offensive Newcomer of the Year in the Big Eight
• 1983 – Rushing 259 yards against Colorado which still rank #1 all time as a OU Freshman 25 years later
• 1984 – Academic All Big Eight
• 1983-1986 – Only running back at OU to have multiple 200 yard game performances
• 1985 – Orange Bowl when OU won the National Championship beating Penn State 25-10!

Earl graduated in 1986 from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications. After completing his tenure with the University of Oklahoma, he went on to try out for Professional Football teams, St. Louis Cardinals and Hamilton Tiger Cats in Canada.

He is currently employed with Team Penske based in Reading, PA as Region Health and Safety Manager responsible for 36 states. Earl has been married to his loving wife Cathy for 16 years and they have 3 Children Brittane’, Garyon and Evan; they reside in York, PA.

Joe Miller, Class of ‘59
Football 1956,’57 and ‘58 – All City team ‘57 and ‘58, All Metro team ‘58, All State ‘58, All Southern USA ‘58, TJ Co Capt ‘58, Outstanding Lineman Award ‘56 and ‘57,Tackle and middle linebacker, 3 year letterman and starter Baseball ‘57, ‘58 and ‘59 – 3 year letterman, All City ‘58, Capt ‘59, 10-1 record as a pitcher ‘58, led team to quarterfinal finish, ERA of under 1.00. Pitcher and catcher Dallas County 4A Athlete of the Year in 1958, 4 year football scholarship to SMU 3 year letterman at SMU in football and baseball. Living in San Antonio, retired from Nat’l Life of Vermont Insurance Co. BBA from SMU in ’63 CLU designation in’69 and attended Dallas Theological Seminary for 3 years.

2007 Inductees

Dagmara Szyszczak, Class of ‘86
Dagmara was a ’86 All-State Volleyball leader who went on to be a four time letter winner in volleyball at the University of Texas, including a National Championship in 1989 and graduating with a BS in Computer Sciences and BA in Psychology http://www.dagvb.com/

• Played Professionally, Pioneer of Women’s Beach Volleyball
• Starter for the NCAA Division I National Champion
• University of Texas at Austin Lady Longhorn Volleyball 4-year starter
• Coached by MICK HALEY (USA Women’s Olympic coach, USC coach)
• Starter for the NCAA Division I Semifinalist
• VOLLEYBALL magazine FAB 50 selection High School
• United States Amateur Volleyball All-American
• NCAA Regional All-Tournament Team
• American Volleyball Coaches Association South All-Region
• Southwest Conference All-Conference Team
• University of Texas at Austin MVP
• AVP/WPVA beach doubles professional
• National Champion of Mexico beach doubles

Bob Glover, Class of ‘63
Bob was the Junior star center and big man of the ‘62 State Champion Basketball team and he had a college career of some distinction at Texas Tech. He was TJ’s first All American basketball player and THE Center on the ’62 state champion team. Before he left Dallas in the 80′s, he was involved in the formation of Dallas Challenge, Inc. which worked with DISD in the ’80′s to survey “youth” issues and I believe has both the credentials and heart to help with our objective of a connection with a TJ “with Rebel Spirit and Patriot Pride”

George Seay, Class of ’59
George was easily the best athlete of the first decade of TJ’s history. He was the co-captain and quarterback on the football team (won the Bell Award, “Player of the Year”, All-Greater Dallas, All-City Football, All-State Honorable Mention and the Most Valuable Player Award”. He was The co-captain of the basketball team, a team that went to state and finished second in the state. He was on the track team and was so good with the shot put, he could have competed in college. He was President of the TJ Lettermen’s Association and voted “Most Athletic” in the senior class. George has gone on to be a respected lawyer, Christian camp developer, church elder, etc.

2006 Inductees-Charter Members of the TJ Athletic Hall of Fame

Eddie Dominguez, Class of ’62
Eddie was Point Guard and leading scorer of TJ’s first State Champion Team, the 1962 State Championship Basketball squad. Arguably the best looking and certainly the best-dressed member of the 1962 Team – point Guard Eddie Dominguez Played for Lon Morris and Texas A&M, graduating in 1966. He took over the family business and serves as President and owner of the legendary Tupinamba Chain.

Michael Carter, Class of ‘79
All State and All American football player later starred at SMU and for the San Francisco 49er’s. An Olympic Silver medalist in the Shot put and still holds the World High School record for the shot put at over 81’. Many believe that this may be the most unapproachable High School record in Track and Field it has never been threatened. Michael currently trains a stable of incredible shot and discus athletes that include his children Michelle, D’Andra, and Michael Jr. Michelle recently competed in the Beijing Olympics.

Dave Huffman, Class of ‘75
In 1977, he was the anchor of the offensive line that helped Notre Dame score 382 points and chalk up 4,840 yards of total offense en route to a national championship. During the season he played 308 minutes and may not have gotten the credit from the casual fan that quarterback Joe Montana, running back Jerome Heavens, and tight end Ken MacAfee did, but his play didn’t go unnoticed. He was an exceptional blocker on runs as well as pass plays. A versatile athlete, he would also line up in a double tight end formation opposite MacAfee, and once caught a pass for 16 yards.

The next season he was just as good. He threw one memorable block that sprung Montana for a score in a 26-17 victory over Pittsburgh. Huffman, linebacker Bob Golic, and Montana were the three key elements in Notre Dame’s 9-3 season, which earned the Fighting Irish a season-ending rank of seventh according to the Associated Press. Huffman was a consensus All-American, and Minnesota selected him in the second round of the 1979 NFL draft. He played center, guard, and tackle for twelve years for the Vikings before retiring in 1990 to become a broadcaster and served as an announcer on the Vikings radio broadcast for many years before tragically dying in automobile accident en route to a Notre Dame game.

Jimmy Jones, Class of 1982
Jimmy was a multiple time All State selection as pitcher, Jimmy was the third player selected in the 1982 amateur baseball draft. At TJ he was a dominant force for 4 years and had an ERA under 1.00 for his career. Set a national HS record for strikeouts in a game with 28 in a 16 inning playoff game against Texas High of Texarkana. He also hit a home run in that game that many describe as the hardest hit ball in the history of Reverchon Park. Former Rangers player personnel director Sandy Johnson described Jimmy as the best high school pitching prospect he ever saw. Jimmy played professionally for the San Diego Padres, New York Yankees, Houston Astros, and Montreal Expos. Currently he runs his own business in addition to privately coaching a generation of young pitchers in Flower Mound area.

1962 State Basketball Champion Team

I was thrilled in so many ways – the years melted away when I felt the joy and warmth of old friends and great memories. My favorite time was the interaction of the 1962 and 2011 teams after the ceremony with combined team pictures and great chatting – I was moved to tears when the combined teams formed a huddle and broke with the traditional 1962 cheer, “A Hustling Ball Team Can’t Be Beat”! as the stadium PA resounded with the great music: “We Are The Champions!”

We thank Coach May, Alice Davenport’s Liberty Belles, the especially sharp ROTC Color Guard with brand new uniforms , Coach Cox and the Loos Stadium management and Hillcrest’s coach and team for combining to make a fitting tribute to the excellence and school spirit that is the reason we are proud to be associated with Thomas Jefferson High School.

Please be assured that this weekend was much more than a trip down memory lane –although there are plenty of good things included with that. It was also an affirmation of the goals that can be achieved by dedication and hard work, the benefits of a bond between teammates and student body and the lasting satisfaction of a job well done.

Here’s to the TJ 1962 Basketball Team – You Are The Champions!

Kevin McNevins ’63