AMARILLO, TEXAS -- An avid outdoorsman of more than 50 years, the all-time leading scorer in West Texas A&M women's basketball history, and the leader of Amarillo city high school athletics for more than a decade will join the elite list of inductees into the Texas Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame. A.C. "Bub" Smith, Emily (Brister) Cooper and Tex Nolan will be PSHOF inductees Nos. 152, 153 and 154 in a Feb. 13 ceremony at Amarillo College's Ordway Auditorium. The PSHOF organization also announced winners for outstanding performances by teams and individuals during 2010. Smith, 72, the second outdoorsman/conservationist inducted into the PSHOF, joins the 13th member, Gene Howe. Smith is an Amarillo oilman, rancher and real estate developer. But those close to him know his passion - the outdoors. Smith is a skilled hunter and fisherman who has spent much of his life heavily involved in conservation and environmental projects. His work has not gone unnoticed, as he has earned several state-wide awards, including the 1988 Texas Conversation Awards Program as a wildlife conservationist and the 2001 Safari Club International Lifetime Achievement Award. Smith played football at Amarillo High under Joe Kerbel in 1956. Last year, Smith organized a hunt for paralyzed veterans at Canadian's Oasis Creek Ranch. Cooper is no stranger to West Texas A&M fans or receiving accolades. The 24-year-old is a 2009 graduate of West Texas A&M and the only basketball player in WT history to be named a four-time Division II All-American. She ended her career as the all-time school leader in nine categories, including scoring (2,645 points), points per game (22.1), steals (406) and 3-point field goals made (234). Cooper is a graduate of Amarillo High and is now a school teacher in Lubbock. She married former Buffs basketball player Tyler Cooper and last year became the fifth Lady Buff player to have her jersey (No. 14) retired. Nolan, 69, spent his lifetime as an educator, retiring in 2009. His coaching stints included Pampa (1963-66), Sunray (1966-81) and Dalhart (1981-89), with his final 13 years spent as the Amarillo Independent School District athletic director. Some of the highlights at AISD under Nolan's leadership included hiring several successful coaches, 16 state championships, the renovation of Dick Bivins Stadium, which was completed in 2005, and securing the second FieldTurf field in the U.S., and starting a softball program in 1998-99. Nolan was inducted to into the Texas High Athletic Director's Hall of Honor in 2006. Nolan said he "is honored" to be a PSHOF inductee. "This is a wonderful way to end that phase of my life and career," Nolan said. "When you look at the list of names it's certainly an elite group. I was kind of surprised."
2010 Texas Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame Winners
Basketball player: Joni Unruh, West Texas A&M.
Basketball coach: Brandon Schneider, Canyon native/Emporia State.
Baseball player: Derek Odell, Canyon High.
Baseball coach: Jeff Smith, Bushland.
Football player: Tae Evans, West Texas A&M.
Football coach: Seth Parr, Caprock.
Golf athlete: Alisa White, Hereford.
Golf coach: Ricky Guy, Memphis.
Soccer player: Andrea Carpenter, Randall/Abilene Christian.
Soccer coach: Whitney McClain, Randall.
Track athlete: Ayssa Diaz, Hereford.
Track coach: Darren Flowers, West Texas A&M.
Volleyball player: Kelsey Black, Amarillo High/Texas A&M.
Volleyball coach: Katie Smith, San Jacinto Christian
Wrestling athlete: Nick Herrmann, Tascosa.
Wrestling coach: Anthony Hoppe, Caprock.
Dick Risenhoover Award: Ryan Palmer, golfer.
CL Dunavin Team of the Year: Spearman girls cross country.
Dee Henry Award: Hayden Morris, mutli-sports, Wellington.
Big Play Award: Braden Hudson/Jacob Ramirez, football, Canadian.
Special Achievement: Ryan Alexander, football, Canadian.
Special Achievement: Max Simon, golf, Pampa.
Special Achievement: Karlee Kleiber, Randall, cross country.
