TARLETON ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME
Gillespie. “The players and coaches were a big family. Our children
were at the practices, our wives were all friends and the players
were like brothers. I think that’s why a lot of these guys are still
connected to Tarleton today.”
In the ensuing season of 1978, Fornes’ Texans picked up right
where they left off by leaning on the most dominant defense
in school history en route to the school’s second straight TIAA
Conference Championship, the first NAIA National Playoff
appearance and the school’s first undefeated record as a senior
college at 8-0-1.
The 1978 team showcased the most dominant defense in school
history and arguably one of the greatest NAIA defenses of all-time.
Led by All-American Tally Neal, Tarleton’s defense set records in
that season that still set the precedent for Texan defenders today,
such as fewest total yards allowed (978), fewest points allowed per
game (4.4), fewest points allowed in a season (40), fewest rushing
yards allowed in a season (158) and the fewest passing yards
allowed in a season (830).
The school record of 988 total yards allowed in 1978 has a padded
lead over the second-best season in school history, which was 2,101
yards allowed in 1982. The record for fewest points in a season of
40 is also well protected, as the next closest season is 123 points
allowed.
Fornes, Ronnie Giles and Gillespie were the only full-time coaches
on the staff for these two championship seasons.
Members of the team already include several notable Hall of
Fame Texans, including Neal. The linebacker was a first-team allamerican in 1978, is the only Texan to have his jersey number (34)
retired and played professionally with the San Antonio Gunslingers
in the USFL.
Playing alongside Neal for this
year’s inductee teams were: Johnny
Gann (QB), who famously jumped
atop the Texan Rider horse and rode
the stallion on the Tarleton sidelines
after clinching the school’s first
conference championship in 1977,
as well as Chuck High (RB), Charles
Groom (WR), Wayne Schumaker
(LB), Steve Fiezel (DL), Taylor Virdell
(DL) and many more who will be
recognized at the Hall of Fame
ceremony in May.
“We decided to induct both
teams into the hall because you
can’t honor just one,” said Gillespie,
who also serves on the Hall of Fame
selection committee. “These young
men came in as freshman, took
their knocks and were champions.”
Hall of Fame weekend is
scheduled for May 1-2, 2015 in
Stephenville. Friday night will
consist of mixers and other activities
to welcome the teams back to
Tarleton before Saturday night’s
Tarleton Quarterback Johnny Gann rode the Texan Rider horse across McMurry’s field after
induction ceremony at the Barry B.
leading the Texans to their first TIAA championship in 1977.
Thompson Student Center.
@TarletonSpor