The HISD Class of 2022 Athletic Hall of Honor includes NFL legends, Olympic medalists, renowned coaches, high school record holders, collegiate standouts, and those who have given back as mentors to student-athletes.
The induction ceremony is Saturday, August 13, at 4 p.m. at Delmar Fieldhouse, 2020 Mangum Road, 77092.
“This is our annual opportunity to memorialize some of the best people associated with HISD sports,” said Athletics Director Andre’ Walker. “They’re not just legendary athletes and coaches; they are people who have used their talents to guide others through life’s challenges.”
Every year, HISD will add the names of 14 individuals and one team to the Athletic Hall of Honor at Delmar Fieldhouse for their lasting impact on HISD and the world of sports.
The members of the Class of 2022 are:
Bill McMurray, posthumously (Media) – McMurray was a sportswriter for the Houston Chronicle for 36 years. He was the first two-time winner of the Texas High School Coaches Sportswriter of the Year Award and was chosen “Greater Houston Sportswriter of the Year” 20 times in his first 27 years at the paper. He is a member of the Texas High School Hall of Fame. He became one of the first sportswriters elected to the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame in 1988. He also received honors from The Texas High School Coaches Association and the National High School Coaches Association.
J.V. Cain, posthumously (Washington High School Football) – Cain played for the NFL’s St. Louis Cardinals. At Booker T. Washington High School, he was an All-American. He then received an athletic scholarship to play for Colorado University. Unfortunately, he died of heart failure on his 28th birthday. His number has been retired by the Cardinals, Colorado University, and Booker T. Washington High School.
Cynthia Potter (Lamar Swim) – Cynthia Potter won 28 swimming titles, a record that stands today. She was a member of 3 US Olympic Teams, earning a bronze medal in 1976. Potter also won a bronze medal in the Pan American Games in 1975 and a silver medal in the World Championships in 1978. In addition, she has served as a sports broadcaster for ABC, NBC, ESPN, and TNT.
David Elmendorf (Westbury Football/Track) – Elmendorf played nine seasons in the NFL and won Superbowl XIV as a member of the Los Angeles Rams. He is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and was a star running back and baseball player at Westbury High School. Dave played college football at Texas A&M University. He was selected in the 1971 MLB draft by the New York Yankees but chose to play football for the Los Angeles Rams. Today you can hear him broadcasting the Texas A&M football games, a position he’s held for more than 30 years.
Debbie Sokol (Bellaire Volleyball) – Sokol began her career in 1972 as a member of the Bellaire volleyball team. As captain and MVP, she led the team to finish at the top of the district. She was captain of the University of Houston volleyball team and competed nationally on teams throughout the United States. She was a team USA member at the World University Games in Mexico City. At 25, she became head coach of the Rice University women’s volleyball program, where she guided the Owls for 13 seasons and was named coach of the year in the Southwest Conference. In addition, Sokol is a nationally known volleyball coach and trainer.
Debra Williams (Austin Girls Basketball) – Williams is one of the top scorers at Louisiana Tech University. She ranks number 13 in career scoring and number 6 in career three-pointers. Named to the All-Sun Belt Conference Tournament four consecutive years, she was MVP in 1994. Williams led the Lady Techsters to four straight league titles and the 1994 NCAA Championship game. She played professional basketball in the WNBA and internationally in Italy, Greece, and Israel.
Eddie Owens (Wheatley Boys Basketball) – Owens earned the rank of third-team All-American from Parade Magazine for his outstanding play at Wheatley High School. He is the all-time leading scorer for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and a member of the UNLV basketball Hall of Fame. The Kansas City Kings drafted him in 1977 and he played for the Rochester Zeniths and the Buffalo Braves during the 1978 season.
Jackie Washington (Yates Track) – Washington was a 1984 US Olympic Team member. She has competed internationally and earned gold and silver medals. While at Yates High School, she was the number two female sprinter in the nation and number one sprinter in Texas. During her senior year, Jackie shattered the high school girls’ 100 meters record in 11.23 and the girls’ 200 meters in a time of 22.9. Washington is a member of the Yates High School Hall of Fame. As a cable TV sports reporter, she has covered the Houston Rockets and the NFL’s Pro Bowl. In 2016 Jackie Washington was elected President of the United States Olympians and Paralympians Association-Houston, a position she still holds.
Jacob Green (Kashmere Football) – Green was the captain of the Kashmere football team and graduated in 1976. He was an All-American for Texas A&M University, still holding the record for 37 career sacks. He was the MVP of the East-West game and was named the most outstanding athlete his senior year. Green played 12 NFL seasons with the Seattle Seahawks and one with the San Francisco 49ers. He is a member of the Texas A&M Letterman’s Hall of Fame, The Texas Black Hall of Fame, and The Southwest Conference Hall of Fame. In addition, he is a member of the Texas College Football Hall of Fame.
Jim Gideon (Bellaire Baseball) – Gideon was a member of the 1971 state championship Bellaire baseball team. He was also a two-time All-City and two-time First Team All-State player for the Cardinals. Gideon led the University of Texas to the 1975 National Championship with a stellar 17-0 record and 1.80 ERA. His 17 wins that season are tied for the fourth-most by a Texas pitcher in a single season. Gideon won 19 games in 1974. The Texas Rangers drafted him in 1975, and he made his Major League debut later that year.
Julia Heymach (Lamar Cross Country/Track & Field) – Heymach won seven Texas state championships in the 800, 1600, 3200, and cross country while she was attending Lamar High School. In 2017, Lamar placed second as a team at the women’s state championships, with only two athletes competing. Julia recently signed a professional contract with Brooks Running. In addition, she will train with the Brooks Beasts Track Club, one of the country’s premiere professional distance groups.
Michael Singletary (Worthing Football) – Singletary is a member of the NFL Hall of Fame. He began his football career at Worthing High School and later played for Baylor University. He was a member of the Chicago Bears Super Bowl XX championship team in 1986. In addition, he is a winner of the prestigious NFL Man of the Year Award. He was also the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers and served on the coaching staff of the Baltimore Ravens, LA Rams, and the Memphis Express of the AAF.
Otis Taylor (Worthing Football) – Taylor played for Prairie View A&M University, the Kansas City Chiefs and Dallas Texans from 1965-1975. He was one of the most dominant receivers of his era. He finished his career as a 1966 AFL All-Star, 1967 AFL receiving touchdown leader (11), 1971 NFL receiving yards leader (1,110), 1971 Pro Bowler, 1971 First-Team All-Pro, 1972 Pro Bowler, 1972 First-Team All-Pro, and a Super Bowl IV champion.
Ray Knoblauch, posthumously (Bellaire Baseball Coach) – Ray Knoblauch led Bellaire High School Baseball from 1961 to 1986, amassing a 598 – 225 record, winning four state championship titles in 1962, 1971, 1978, and 1986, plus 3 runner-up finishes. His seven appearances in the state tournament are the most for a Class 5A coach in Texas, which was the highest classification in those days. He was one of the co-founders of the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association, and he brought the Texas High School Baseball All-Star Game to the Astrodome. He is a member of the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, and today the yearly Ray Knoblauch Coaches Award is given to a deserving coach who has devoted his life to the development of baseball programs in the Houston area.
The 1974-1975 Kashmere boys’ basketball team: After winning the 1974 State Championship, the Kashmere Rams went on a 32-game winning streak and won the state title again in 1975. The team also finished number 1 in the nation. The nine seniors on the 1975 team all received athletic scholarships to play collegiate basketball.