february 2013 sports lubbock monthly

Don’t put your next sports event in anyone else’s hands.From professional event planning assistance to complimentary services, the Lubbock Sports team is known for going above and beyond to make each event a success. To receive a free Sports Facility Guide, call 800.692.4035 or log onto LubbockSports.org.

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Don’t put your next sports event in anyone else’s hands.From professional event planning assistance to complimentary services, the Lubbock Sports team is known for going above and beyond to make each event a success. To receive a free Sports Facility Guide, call 800.692.4035 or log onto LubbockSports.org.

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4 | FEBRUARY 2013 | Sports Lubbock Monthly

Regulars

6 Lead Off

7 SLM Randoms

8 Opening Shot

10 Life as I See It

11 Quick Shots

38 Run the Race

42 Sports in the Hub

Connectwww.sportslubbock.com | 806.781.8482

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Staff

PUBLICATIONToby & Christi Brooks....................................PublishersRob Tuttle.........................................Account ExecutiveKristi Hart..............................................................EditorBaron Batch....................................Contributing WriterBrian Beaver...................................Contributing WriterDevin Hargrove...............................Contributing WriterJames Holloway..............................Contributing WriterAlyssa Kitten....................................Contributing WriterSummer Morgan..............................Contributing WriterGeorgia WIlliams Reed....................Contributing WriterJoe Szynkowski...............................Contributing Writer

ARTMichael Dalby...........................................PhotographerDominique Harmon..................................PhotographerJohn Weast..............................................PhotographerToby Brooks.................................................Art DirectorDonald MacArthur...............................Graphic Designer

Sports Lubbock Monthly is published monthly by Chaplain Publishing, a division of NiTROhype Creative, 3104 CR 7520, Lubbock, Texas, 79423, phone 806.781.8482. Contents may not be reproduced without consent of the copyright owner. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retriival system or transmitted in any form by any means electronically or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Sports Lubbock Monthly is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, articles, photographs, or artwork. To submit information, photos, or stories or for advertising inquiries please contact Sports Lubbock Monthly at 806.781.8482, via email at [email protected], or via the Sports Lubbock website at www.sportslubbock.com.

ON THE COVER: SLM is thrilled to add well-known area photographer Michael Dalby to the mix this month. Dalby scored the cover shot of featured athlete Christian O’Neal of Coronado in a recent home tilt against non-district foe Midland High. Coronado defeated the Bulldogs 45-38 and Dalby was there to catch all the action. We also welcom contributing writers Devin Hargrove and James Holloway to the team this month. Welcome aboard, guys!

18 | WAYLAND HOOPS

SHE’S STRONGERWayland Baptist basketball player LaTericka Anderson goes from collegiate athlete to the brink of death and back by Summer Morgan

12 | BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

GERM BLASTEDLocal business helps protect area athletics facilities and student athletes against risk of infection by Devin Hargrove

FEBRUARY 2013

34 | HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS

HOMESCHOOL HEROESLubbock area athletics program for non-traditional high school students finds success by Georgia Williams Reed

Features

24 | COVER STORY

THE CATALYSTChristian O’Neal leads Mustangs through grit, speed, and hustle by Joe Szynkowski and James Holloway

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I hate rabbits. There. I said it. Before you call PETA on me or start explaining the virtues of Bugs, the Easter, or any other bunny, you need to understand where I

have been. What I’ve seen. What I’ve done. I guess every good villain has a back-story, so sit back and relax while I share mine.

I thought I was a first-ballot candidate for dad of the year. My daughter plays 10 and under softball with South Plains Girls Fastpitch (SPGF) and my son plays 6 and under coach pitch with Cooper Little League. In my effort to play with them more and also help them both with improved skill development, I decided to construct a batting cage. I figured we’d bond through hours spent in the cage, learning the fundamentals of the game while we enjoyed one another’s company. Not to mention the wife and I like to sneak in and take a few cuts for ourselves as a fun stress buster.

The thing is, I have this serious Tim “the Toolman” Taylor thing going on. Why build a 50-foot long cage when you can build a 70 footer? Why buy a 12-foot high net when you can buy one 14 feet high? If I was going to take the time to build a batting cage, you better believe I was going to build a monster.

I literally spent hours scouring the internet, looking for just the right deal on just the right setup with all the features I wanted. It had to have a heavy

grade commercial net, galvanized hardware, and all the stuff that the pros have…and in all honesty the family and I probably will never need.

Once it arrived, I set it all out and marked the new location off in the yard. It was going to be perfect. With a posthole digger in my tender hands and a pile of more than 2500 pounds of instant concrete mix by my side, I constructed my black nylon shrine to backyard baseball and fastpitch—Texas style. It was awesome.

Unfortunately, the first windstorm that blew through town, a paltry little 40 mile-per-hour breeze, managed to bend all ten of my painstakingly placed posts. Not to be dissuaded, I promptly went to a local fence supply store and purchased enough heavy gauge steel pipe to restore my cage to upright status and protect it from the Lubbock springtime to come. But in the process of repairing the posts, I noticed a few small breaks in the nylon netting.

But how could this be? I purposely purchased the heavyweight net, guaranteed to last me until my six year old was cashing in his 401k. I didn’t think much of it, but eventually I noticed more and more breaks every time we went out to practice. Small breaks turned into huge holes. It was getting serious.

And then I discovered it. A stinking rabbit had made itself a home, and of all places, it

decided my batting cage would be the perfect spot for her new address. I’m sure the “perimeter fence” provided some inconvenience for her at times. But I can just imagine her devious, tiny rabbit mind thinking devious tiny little rabbit thoughts. “Just chew it to shreds,” she thought. “No big deal. It’s cool.”

As I write this, I just spent over 10 hours repairing 19 — count ‘em nineTEEN — holes in my formerly pristine cage. Once I finally finished the task, everywhere I looked I saw black grid. It was a painful reminder of my days staring at netting as I mended the damage.

Once I completed the job, I looked on, momentarily satisfied with my work (I also managed to concoct a way to store it when not in use to prevent this from ever happening again). However, the sensation was fleeting as I realized just how ridiculous the whole thing was. You see, what started out as a way to connect with my kids turned into a burdensome task that had kept me from them for a whole weekend.

I’m realizing (albeit slowly) that my kids don’t care about the specs of their batting cage. My wife doesn’t care about which college teams use the same fancy bat I got her for taking batting practice. What they care about is that I take the time to use those things. With them. And have fun doing it.

However, I’m thinking for our next fun family-building experience, we might forgo the baseball field and instead take a little hunting trip.

To the backyard.

For rabbits.

Life. In a Cage. by TOBY BROOKS LEAD OFF

I constructed my black nylon shrine to backyard baseball and fastpitch—Texas style. It was awesome.

www.sportslubbock.com | FEBRUARY 2013 | 7

Okay, so the Big 12 Conference has seemed a bit like a house built on shifting sands the past few seasons. However, I think it is safe to say that the powers-that-be have done an admirable job keeping things together and preventing what could have been an epic collapse of Circuit City proportions.

And while adding West Virginia wasn’t exactly a great move geographically, the addition of TCU creates an interesting mix. The Horned Frogs seem to change conferences more often than Lindsay Lohan changes attorneys, from the Southwest, to Conference USA, to the WAC, to the Mountain West, to the Big East (in which the Frogs never even played a game), then finally to the Big 12. Let’s just say the folks in purple need to update their Wikipedia page pretty regularly. However, it is hard to blame ‘em. After all, look at the differences between the Big 12 and those non-BCS conferences...

SLM RANDOMS

Big 12 Braggin’ Rights

Billions of dollars in research grant money collected by member institutions to purchase state-of-the art scientific equipment and software

Raised $17.67 at the last Future Biologists of the Heartland car wash to be used to buy a new microscope lamp and a medical dictionary app for next semester

Three institutions from the state of Texas with total enrollment of 96,500 in the Lone Star State

Recruited 96,500 football players from the state of Texas to try and resurrect their mediocre mid-major football programs

Big 12 Braggin’ Non-BCS Braggin’

JAMS OF THE MONTHWe went old school this month. Tell us what your’re rockin’ right now at [email protected]

Other conferences heavily pursue our top tier institutions to help bolster academic, athletic, and financial status of the organization

Trade schools heavily pursue our top tier institutions to offer joint online diplomas in knitting and underwater sheetrock repair to bolster graduation numbers

Home of such storied rivalries as the Chancellor’s Spurs, the Red River Shootout, and Farmageddon

Home of such anonymous rivalries as the Oil Can, the Milk Can, and the Beehive Boot

Offer student athletes with the chance to earn a degree recognized and respected around the globe while playing in some the finest athletics facilities available

Offer student athletes with a chance to earn a college diploma with no spelling errors in facilities that have not yet been condemned by local building inspectors

T-shirts and fan gear available nationwide at virtually any athletic equipment and apparel merchant

T-shirts and fan gear available in the back corner of the on-campus bookstore. Open 11:30-2:30 M, W, F (during the semester only). Website under construction.

Classy logo that prominently displays the arched Roman numeral “XII,” a powerful and recognizable representation of our 10 member institutions

Okay, okay, even YOU have to admit that a conference with TEN schools that is called the “Big 12” seems pretty lame...

Faith No MoreEpic

PEShut ‘Em Down

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERTT_sv8sV0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERTT_sv8sV0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LB4D-GbQ9A4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LB4D-GbQ9A4

DOMINIQUE HARMON OPENING SHOT


STRONG FROM WITHINPictured here is Hunter Cargill who trains and works part time at Pittman’s Academy in Lubbock. Hunter is a brown belt and since

starting his training with Pittman’s Academy a few years back, he says he’s grown in all areas of his life. He’s learned to be a leader and has set his sights on a vision to help grow this amazing martial arts center.

This image was shot by Barry Nelson of Captivated Images in their studio on a gray background with a smoke machine. The image was composited in Photoshop where additional smoke and effects were added.


If you know me, you know that I’m all about people trying to make a difference.

Since I have been in Pittsburgh I’ve met some pretty cool people. One of those people that has become a friend is Brandon. Brandon

owns a clothing line and makes shirts and other cool stuff. Recently Brandon shared his passion for helping his hometown of

Braddock with me. His current project is called Second Chance Pittsburgh. We had lunch the other day and he posed the question to me “What

would you do differently if you had a second chance at anything?” I’m not the type of person to live in the past, or really think about regrets, so this question caught me off guard.

At first I tried lying to myself: believing there is nothing that I would do differently. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that there are some things I would like to have a second shot at. I think if I could go back I would be more honest with myself and others. I also would not care so much what people thought about me at an earlier age like I do now.

So here’s the deal: What would you do if you had a second chance? Brandon’s whole campaign is about second chances. It’s about giving his community of Braddock a second chance. Not only by physically building back up the community by repairing the local clothing bank that supports over 100 families with clothes in the community, but also emotionally by showing that sometimes you can’t always get your second chance you’d hope for….but sometimes you can be someone else’s second chance. Just like Brandon is doing for his community of Braddock.

So this is where you guys come in. Go check out Second Chance Pittsburgh, and by using the hashtag #secondchancepit via any social media forum, upload a picture of yourself holding a sign of what you might do a little differently if you had a second chance at anything. If you don’t feel comfortable posting a picture but you would like to get involved, you can hit the donate button on the bottom of the Second Chance Pittsburgh web page. I’ll be donating some of my artwork to a random person who gets involved and donates, so keep your ears open!

Thanks for helping out someone who is simply trying to make a difference.

Baron Batch is a former Red Raider who spent the first 10 games of the 2012 season as a running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was signed to the Steeler practice squad for two weeks, but since writing this piece he has be promoted back to the active roster. In addition to being a world-class athlete, he is a gifted author and artist. He has graciously agreed to share exerpts from his blog for use in Sports Lubbock Monthly. To read more and to see other examples of his work, be sure to visit baronbatch.com.

Second Chance Pittsburgh by BARON BATCH LIFE AS I SEE ITLIFE AS I SEE IT

At first I tried lying to myself: believing there is nothing that I would do differently. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that there are some things I would like to have a second shot at.

http://www.baronbatch.com


OLYMPIC CHAMPIONS IN THE USAThe Kellogg’s Tour of Gymnastic Champions made a stop at United Spirit Arena on October 7th, treating the 8,000+ in attendance to a breathtaking display of athleticism and artistry. Above, 2011 Pan Am Games team bronze medalist and still rings gold medalist Brandon Wynn performs suspended some 30 feet above the arena floor. Mckayla Maroney was also featured, and she actually was impressed. Toby Brooks photos

QUICK SHOTS


BUSINESS

SPOTLIGHT

GERM BLASTED

Local business helps protect area athletics facilities and student

athletes against risk of infection

DEVIN HARGROVE JOHN WEAST

GET YOUR (GERM-KILLING) GUNS UPGermblast technicians Luke Adkins (left) and Armando Flores (right) take a moment to pose prior to a recent application at an area school.

The safety and well-being of student athletes is the most important concern of any school district.

The people at Germblast, the company responsible for sanitation of some local school sports facilities, understand this.

Not just as employees and proprietors of a sanitation company, but also as people who have been personally affected by infectious disease.

“Germblast began as a concept of looking at how to improve the prevention of healthcare associated infections at hospitals,” says Wes Goldwater, Chief Information Officer for Germblast. “Everyone in the company has been uniquely impacted by healthcare associated infections, whether with their family or with their friends. We said ‘there’s got to be a better way that we can approach disinfection practices, and there’s got to be a new way that we can look at this that has not been thought of before.’ ”

Even though the company began with a focus on hospitals, as they’ve grown, Goldwater says they found need in other areas such as education and athletics.

www.sportslubbock.com | FEBRUARY 2013 | 1312 | FEBRUARY 2013 | Sports Lubbock Monthly


“We’ve been around for about three years,” says Goldwater. “The first year that we were around was solely for research and testing and validations. During that time what we did was a lot of the research on the technologies that are out there and also the chemicals. And then we would start to get those technologies in and really work with them: do some testing and some trials and figure out how to best pair things together. We’d figure out which surfaces and touch points worked best with each of the technologies and disinfection chemicals we had.”

Goldwater explains that they initially set out looking for the safest and most effective chemicals which they could find, then worked to find ways to maximize their potential.

“Through a lot of testing we optimized the process to get the greatest microorganism reduction rate possible,” says Goldwater.

Chris Truitt, microbiologist for Germblast, explains that improper control of microorganisms in an environment opens an area up to contamination by a host of infections.

“You open up the door to not only Staph, but also to MRSA, the methicillin resistant Staph,” Truitt says. “Then you even open up the door to different Mycoses, which is any type of fungal infection. You have your ringworm and your athlete’s foot, and you can even go into the upper-respiratory gastrointestinal aspect in terms of picking up viruses, which can live in the environment waiting for a host.”

This is a big problem for coaches and athletes, according to Truitt, because of the time needed for recovery from infections such as Staph.

“That (treatment time) can vary, but with a typical Staph infection you’re looking at a couple of days to a week,” says Truitt. “The problem with that is if they’re in a contact sport, it could be easily transmitted to another person. For example wrestling, they can transmit that to a partner they’re competing with, or they can transfer it to the mat. Then someone can come along and pick it up there. The infection has to be cleared up before they can compete and that down time can hinder their performance.”

This is something that Mark Ball, Athletic Director for Lubbock Independent School District, is all too familiar with in his experience working with student athletes.

“If I’m on a strength conditioning program, which almost all of our kids are of some type,” says Ball. “If I miss ten days of the semester that’s going to affect me and that’s going to affect how my body progresses with that program. In order to get the full benefits of strength conditioning, I need to be there every day that we’re doing that.”

More important than the athletic aspect of keeping student athletes infection and disease free, according to Ball, is the educational aspect.

“The first thing it (sanitation) does is keep kids in school; less illness right off the bat,” explains Ball. “If they’re in class they’re going to learn more. Not only that, but a lot of what happens today with students is based upon testing. It’s more than just important to them, and has a lot to do with where they’re going to be accepted for college. The other part of it is that from our state funding, the more students we have in class and the better our attendance is, the more money we’re going to get from the state. And the third piece as a coach, what I would like about it is that our athletes aren’t going to miss as much practice.”

To provide the proper sanitation to accomplish these ends, Goldwater explains that companies such as Germblast use various chemicals which are rated for safety.

“When we started looking at the chemicals out there that are commonly used for disinfection, we noticed that some of them are sometimes toxic if left on a surface or inappropriately used or splashed around,” says Goldwater. “What we did was look at what are the safest chemicals out there, and what we found was that there is actually a rating given by the NSF which is a D2 rating. D2 means it is a food prep disinfectant and it doesn’t require a wipe, and breaks down into things that aren’t harmful. They’re not going to get anybody sick, and you don’t have to worry about toxic effects or things like that.”

BUSINESS

SPOTLIGHT

NO STAPH PICNICTreating surfaces like this wrestling mat using Germblast’s proprietary sanitation system is a sure fire way to prevent exposure to and the spreading of common dermatological conditions.


Goldwater explains that each new area requires different chemicals and is going to need a different approach to properly sanitize it.

“What we do before we start any surface is we do what’s called a site survey,” says Goldwater. “We take what’s called ATP samples, short for Adenosine Triphosphate, and that’s a coenzyme that will tell you if there’s any organic living matter on the surface. So what we do is use these samples to determine high levels of microorganisms in the facility, and that helps us pinpoint which areas are going to be the challenge areas and which areas we’re going to need to focus on. Each different type of surface is also going to require a different approach to disinfecting it properly. So, for example, a wrestling facility that uses a lot of mats would require usage of our 360 degree steam. Whereas locker rooms would require, depending on the surface, a variation of the chemicals applied to lockers.”

Truitt explains that sanitation and preventing the spread of infectious diseases doesn’t just begin with companies such as Germblast, but starts instead with athletes themselves.

“Personal hygiene plays a huge role from athlete to athlete,” says Truitt. “Most wrestling mats and weight rooms will have a disinfectant spray, so that if they sweat on the equipment they can spray it down and wipe it off, and that’s a very easy way to limit the transmission of these organisms. And of course athletic trainers, coaches, and even athletes being informed that if they see some type of skin rash that isn’t normal, to inform the trainer or the coach so that they can be monitored and don’t pass it on to other athletes.”

Goldwater hopes that the success of the company and the quality of its practices will help put Germblast in every state in the United States.

“Currently we service New Mexico, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Texas,” says Goldwater. “But we’ve seen a lot of growth in the last three years and we’ve seen a lot of success in the process. As people have started to see the results and the reduction of infections both in health care, education, athletics, and food processing facilities, people understand the concept and they jump on board with it pretty passionately.”

Goldwater says that he sees the infection control industry moving in the direction, and using the practices which Germblast has already adopted.

“I really think that we’re ahead of the curve on approaches to infection control,” says Goldwater. “These days in both athletic facilities and health care facilities, people are recognizing that we’ve been doing the same processes for thirty years and we’re seeing infection rates continue to rise. I think people are starting to realize that there’s got to be something that we can change that will improve that. You’re going to see more technologies coming out, such as dry mist hydrogen peroxide and ultraviolet lights. And I think that people will realize that the savings from reducing infections by employing a company like Germblast will vastly outweigh the cost of the service.”

For more information about Germblast visit www.germblast.com or call (877) 771-3558.

Devin Hargrove is a freelance author for Sports Lubbock Monthly. He may be contacted at [email protected].

BUSINESS

SPOTLIGHT



In 1937, this was more than a pole. It was a symbol of determination. It spurred hope, cooperation and growth. And today, you can keep that spirit alive in your co-op by saving energy. Find out how at TogetherWeSave.com.

BEHOLD A 40-FOOTSTAKE IN THE GROUND.

South Plains ElectricCooperative, Inc.


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WAYLAND

HOOPS


SHE’SSTRONGER

Wayland Baptist basketball player LaTericka Anderson goes from collegiate athlete to the brink of death and back

SUMMER MORGAN

In the last year and a half, Wayland Baptist University basketball player LaTericka Anderson has gone from collegiate athlete to the brink of death and back. The 5-foot-10 sophomore forward from Mesquite is playing for the Flying Queens again after missing last season as she

battled Hodgkin’s lymphoma.Anderson started playing basketball in the fifth grade when her best

friend’s father put together a league team and recruited her to play. In addition to lettering all four years in basketball at West Mesquite High School, Anderson played volleyball, softball, and also ran track. When it came time to choose which sport to pursue at the collegiate level, however, there was no question what she wanted. Anderson loved basketball.

She found her way to Wayland through former Flying Queens assistant coach and Houston native Tameckia Brown, whom Anderson met through Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) competition. Brown

recruited the city girl out to West Texas with the promise of an education and a basketball scholarship in the fall of 2010.

The transition from high school in Dallas to college in Plainview wasn’t always easy for Anderson.

“It was a rough year at first, and I didn’t get a lot of playing time, so I’d be down on myself,” she recalls. “It was different moving here, going from a big city to a small town. I kept busy with school and basketball and really just hung out with my teammates all the time.”

ON THE DEFENSIVEWayland sophomore LaTericka Anderson is happy to be battling opponents on the floor again this season, after fighting for her life much of last year with Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

STRONGER Mandisa

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emgv-VRtMEU


WAYLAND

HOOPS

Throughout her freshman year, Anderson sometimes struggled to breathe and was diagnosed with bronchitis and asthma. Medicine didn’t help, and by the time she returned home that summer, Anderson knew she needed to see a doctor again.

“We’d noticed a knot on my neck the summer before I started at Wayland, but I never got it checked out,” she said. “When I got home that summer, I still couldn’t breathe well, so we made an appointment with my family doctor. He noticed the bump on my neck and decided to do some x-rays. He said I had a large mass and knew it was lymphoma, but didn’t know what kind.”

After seeing her doctor’s reaction to the initial tests,

Anderson knew something was wrong.

“He seemed really concerned and sent me to an oncologist,” she said. “I had a CT scan on a Wednesday and a lymph node biopsy that Friday.”

When the results came back, Anderson’s oncologist broke the bad news. The 19-year old was diagnosed with Stage 4A Hodgkin’s lymphoma. She had a massive tumor in her chest, from her neck to her mid-torso, which was affecting her ability to breathe.

Flying Queens head coach Tory Bryant knew the situation was serious.

“When I talked to LaTericka and her parents about it, the first thing that came to my mind was that things were not good,” he said. “I don’t know if devastated is the right word, but it was very disappointing to know we weren’t going to have her around. She’s such a quality person and has a lot of good leadership qualities.

“LT was always so positive and seemed very optimistic about it. She’s one of those people who always has a smile on her face, but it was tough for her.”

Anderson’s doctor recommended she start chemotherapy right away. Since she would need so much medicine over an extended period, another physician was scheduled to insert a port into her chest. The port would be placed under her skin and allow the doctors to attach an IV so she could receive chemotherapy more conveniently.

But as things sometimes go, the “easy” procedure didn’t turn out to be so simple.

While in surgery, Anderson went into cardiac arrest and one of her lungs collapsed. Doctors used a defibrillator and inserted a chest tube before deciding to put her into a medically induced coma. When she woke up more than a week later, Anderson had no idea what all she’d been through.

NOT THAT FAR WESTLaTericka played high school ball as a member of the West Mesquite Lady Wranglers before heading to Plainview to play for the Flying Queens. She admits it was a big adjustment coming to Wayland from her Dallas roots.

MIDDLE SCHOOLER’S BALLLaTericka has played basketball competitively since fifth grade. She poses here for her middle school individaul shot as a member of the McDonald Middle School Mustangs.


The experience was taxing for Anderson physically and emotionally, but was especially difficult on her parents, Jennifer and Mervin, and older sisters LaKeshia Johnson and LaTosha Dixon.

“It was hard on them,” Anderson said. “My mom told me when she heard the code blue over the hospital intercom, she had a bad feeling that it was me. When the doctors came and told her what happened, she called my dad and he couldn’t even understand her because she was crying so much.

“My parents were there at the hospital every day, and my sisters were there, too, every chance they had. They all prayed for me a lot every day, before they came to see me and before they’d have to go home.”

After spending a total of 17 days in the hospital, Anderson was finally discharged. She immediately started chemotherapy, spending anywhere from 10 minutes to three hours per day, four times a week, receiving the medicine she needed to shrink her tumor.

The once-active teenager was reduced to trips to the doctor and naps in between.

“I slept a lot,” Anderson said. “The doctor gave me medicine for the nausea, so it didn’t affect me too much, but I was just really tired. I lost all of my hair, but it wasn’t too hard because I knew it was going to happen.”

Anderson saw her doctor every week to track her progress and her white blood cell count. The chemotherapy was making headway, but ever so slowly. After four months of chemotherapy, from September to December, the tumor had finally shrunk…but not enough.

“The tumor was really small by December, but the doctor said I still needed radiation to continue to shrink it because they’d done all the chemo they could do,”


WAYLAND

HOOPS

Anderson said. “I had a two-week break over the holidays, but started with the radiation in January. It was five days a week for a month.”

In February, Anderson’s doctor said the radiation had been effective, but there was still cancer showing up in her tests. After five months of intense treatments, only time would tell whether it would completely go away.

As spring turned to summer, Anderson began planning to return to Wayland in the fall, which was just fine with Bryant.

“We got the news from LaTericka’s doctors that everything was OK for her to come back, and we were very excited,” the Flying Queens coach said. “We’re glad to have her back and I know she’s glad to be back. It’s been one of those tough things that life throws at you, but LT has responded unbelievably.”

When Anderson arrived back on campus, she knew she had a lot of work ahead of her.

“School-wise, I was able to pick up where I left off, but it was hard sometimes to get back into things,” she said. “The hardest part was basketball and getting back into shape. I’d have episodes where I’d have trouble breathing, so I’d have to lie down and get my heart rate under control.

“I wasn’t able to do anything last year, so I had to constantly tell myself my body isn’t where it was. It took a while, but I’m back in shape now.”

Bryant said Anderson has worked hard on her conditioning.

“Early in the fall I knew she was struggling and had some good and bad days, but she kept working at it,” he said. “I wanted to be patient with her and for her to be patient with herself. I didn’t know how long it would take, but she’s continued to keep working at it.”

The coach also said he’s glad to have Anderson back because of the kind of person she is.

“I’m very glad to have her here because she not only brings a lot to the women’s basketball and athletic programs, but also to the campus,” he said. “Basketball and school aside, the most important thing is that LT has fought a hard fight over the last year and a half. She’s shown a lot of resilience.”

The experience has matured Anderson in more ways than one.

“This has made me stronger and more grateful,” she said. “I realize that life is short and anything can happen. It makes me look at things differently, and I think I make better decisions now. Having cancer also made me a lot closer to God and my faith is stronger than it ever was.

“I did sometimes ask, ‘Why me,’ which I think anybody would, but it didn’t ever make me doubt Him,” Anderson added. “My pastor said I have a child-like faith because of how strong I was. I know going through this would have been impossible without it.”

Anderson continued to see doctors regularly and in the fall finally received the news she’d been waiting to hear.

“They told me the cancer was gone at the end of October, and it was a great feeling,” she said. “I was pretty emotional because it was finally over and I could actually say I was completely cancer free.

“I believe God has a purpose in everything. My purpose is to tell my story and be able to help others.”

Summer Morgan serves as Athletic Media Relations & Marketing Coordinator at Wayland Baptist University. She may be reached at [email protected].

“This has made me stronger and more grateful. I realize that life is short and anything can happen. It makes me look at things differently, and I think I make better decisions now. Having cancer also made me a lot closer to God and my faith is stronger than it ever was.”

-LaTericka Anderson

READING ROLE MODELLaTericka enjoys giving back to the community. Here she reads to an elementary school fan as a part of the Read First Program organized by the WBU Athletic Department.


THROW DOWNEstacado’s Shawn Hastings goes strong to the rack


THE CATALYST

Christian O’Neal leads Mustangsthrough grit, speed, and hustle

JOE SZYNKOWSKI& JAMES HOLLOWAY

MICHAEL DALBY

Watching Christian O’Neal dive for a loose ball is old hat for Coronado High School basketball coach Randy Dean. But when the senior point guard did it in the District 2-5A opener against Odessa High, Dean and the Coronado fan base held

their collective breaths. O’Neal was in his first game back from a torn thumb ligament in his left hand – an injury that occurred in practice shortly before the season began and sidelined the standout for Coronado’s first 10 games.

That’s why this dive was different. The late-game plunge not only tested O’Neal’s tender thumb, but also came during crunch time. And it led to a win.

Never one to let an injury hamper his play, O’Neal made the diving stop on a ball heading out of bounds, pitched a pass to Devonte Hutchens, who then alley-ooped to Devondric Meadows for the go-ahead bucket in the Mustangs’ conference-opening victory. O’Neal scored only eight points that night, but re-established himself as a Coronado catalyst.

“Obviously with the quality of player that he is, and with his experience, we knew that when he got back he would be able to make an immediate impact,” Dean said. “We were fortunate that we already had the season going in the right direction when he got back, and we have been able to continue to build on the momentum.”

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Coronado went 9-1 until O’Neal’s return in early December. The squad then cruised to a mid-January mark of 19-5, 7-1 in district.

“This group of guys has really played well together and has overcome a lot of injuries,” Dean said. “They’re playing hard and that’s why they’ve been able to enjoy this success.”

O’Neal relentlessly rehabbed his torn ligament to join his teammates as quickly as possible. He isn’t the only reason for Coronado’s district dominance – many players stepped up to fill his void – but he definitely makes the Mustangs go.

“I give him a lot of credit,” Dean said. “He worked hard and was able to come back a little faster than expected. And he handled the whole situationwith a great attitude. He realized that he could either let it get him down or treat it as something that motivated him.

“I know it was disappointing for Christian and it was disappointing for our whole team. I can’t give the guys who filled in for him enough credit.”

Coronado hopes the injury bug is done biting this season. O’Neal’s torn ligament followed Duncan Douglas’s torn ACL in summer workouts. It was an injury-plagued beginning to a season that has been poised for promise since this crew of seniors garnered extensive starting experience as sophomores. Injuries to O’Neal, Douglas and Tony Hays (knee) opened the door for several newcomers. And the newcomers came to play.

COVER

STORY

NO “I” IN TEAMCoronado has been paced by a nucleus of experienced players, including O’Neal, who understand the team-first approach of coach Randy Dean.


POINT MANA converted point guard, O’Neal has been called upon to be the Mustangs’ “coach on the floor” and run the point. However, that hasn’t stopped the versatile senior from averaging more than 11 points per game with a lightning-fast first step and silky-smooth outside jumper.

“We never panicked because we knew the team we had,” said senior Devon Phillips. “Even though it felt like we couldn’t catch a break, we stayed positive and had a lot of people step up. I’d never say it was a good thing that Christian got hurt, but we learned that we couldn’t be dependent on one person.”

Versatile PlaymakerO’Neal has been starting since his sophomore season. A

converted shooting guard, the 6-foot-1 speedster has improved his ball-handling skills and is Coronado’s coach on the floor – responsible for setting the tempo both offensively and defensively. Among his many accolades are First Team All-City, and First Team All-South Plains his sophomore year. He made First Team All-City, and First TeamAll-South Plains his junior year, and was voted team captain both years.

“He has obviously matured a lot physically over the years, which has helped him add quickness and jumping ability,” Dean said. “He is a very gifted athlete and always seems to be in position to make a play.”

O’Neal, who averaged 11.6 points per game last season, has turned into more of a scoring threat this season. He possesses a potent combination of strength and speed that helps him find the net from various points on the floor.

“He can score in a lot of different ways,” Dean said. “He really doesn’t have to rely on his outside shot. He can push the ball in transition and get some easy buckets. That’s been one of the keys to our success.”

O’Neal is also accomplished in the classroom. He presently is tackling a full course load of advanced-placement classes, and aims to study pre-med, engineering or business in college.

“Athletes need to hold themselves at a level above typical norm,” O’Neal said.

“He is a very gifted athlete and always seems to be in position to make a play.”

-Coronado head basketball coach Randy Dean on Christian O’Neal


COVER

STORY

“You do not want to get him mad. He will take on anybody no matter how good or how big they are. Christian is just a winner. He is focused on winning whether we are down 10 or up by 10. It doesn’t matter.”

-Devon Phillips, Coronado senior on teammate Christian O’Neal

Winning Expectations

O’Neal has earned the respect of his teammates throughout his high school career. “I’ve seen him play through swollen ankles where he’ll be limping around and in a lot of pain,” Phillips said. “But when the game is going on, he’s always focused and determined to win.”

Phillips has been playing basketball with O’Neal since the two were in third grade. He takes him on in practice every day, and says his teammate’s tenacity isn’t reserved for game nights.

“We go hard in practice,” Phillips said. “You do not want to get him mad. He will take on anybody no matter how good or how big they are.

“Christian is just a winner. He is focused on winning whether we are down 10 or up by 10. It doesn’t matter.”

Phillips recalls a summer league game in which O’Neal scored eight points in 40 seconds to lift Coronado to a win over city rival Monterey. “He was the only varsity player on that split team and he was taking on all varsity players,” Phillips said. “He hit an NBA-range three-pointer, made two free throws and knocked down a three to win the game. He literally beat Monterey by himself.”

“He has expectations of winning. Losing is not acceptable to him.”

Joe Szynkowski is a freelance writer for Sports Lubbock Monthly. Contact him or read more of his work at www.joeszynkowski.com.

STRONG TO THE IRONO’Neal flashes his explosive vertical as he soars to the rim for and sends home another bucket.

MAKE IT RAINHere O’Neal shows he’s far more than a slasher who always takes it to the hole, draining a sweet long range jumper in some unidentified Midlander’s eye.


HIGH SCHOOL

SPORTS

HOMESCHOOL HEROES

GEORGIA WILLIAMS REED PICS PROVIDED

Lubbock area athletics program for non-traditional high school students finds success

New Avenues

Homeschool athletes from Lubbock are increasingly gaining collegiate attention and respect, thanks to the Lubbock Homeschool Athletic Association.

Parents in the Lubbock area formed the LHCAA as an avenue to give their homeschooled children an opportunity to compete in sports.

“We wanted the opportunity and the privilege to homeschool our kids, and we wanted to give them a platform to compete,” said Tres Bruffey, CPA for Rip Griffin companies.

Bruffey was president of the Christian-based organization for the first several years and coached in some form for the past twelve years.

LHCAA, which is not governed by UIL or TAPs (Texas Association of Parochial Schools), formed in 2000 with basketball and then quickly added swim, volleyball and soccer. The Titans now have softball and baseball with football coming this next fall.

Currently LHCAA serves around 200 students, but the numbers could be higher.

Gabi Tieman who runs the soccer program said, “A lot of homeschoolers don’t know that we’re here. It’s hard to get the word out to all of the homeschool parents.”

YOUNG GUNFreshman Jauslyn Shephard


SHARP SHOOTERSenior Hannah Harbin

THAT’S MY ROCKSophomore Haven Middleton

HANDLES ON THE LEFTJunior Tess Bruffey

WE TALKIN’ ‘BOUT PRACTICEHS and JH players in mixed scrimmage. From left: Caleb Magee (JH), Jake Webb (JH), Kamble Sawyer with ball (HS), Matthias Contreras (HS), Jake Hoage (JH), Anselm Bradley (HS)


Basketball Titans Jay Hoage and Chuck Martin coach ten

boys for the Titans basketball varsity and junior varsity. Blake Buchanan and Brad Sides coach the junior high boys.

Hoage said, “We are pleased that we have had some successes against 1A school districts. Sundown Varsity, Miami, Dumas, Shallowater and Sudan.”

The boys practice at a local church and at Premier Sportsplex three times a week, depending on their game schedule.

“What matters most to me about this team,” shared Hoage, “is that they appreciate and support each other. It’s thrilling to me to see that it’s not about one individual.”

Lady Titans “Our girls program this past year was

third in the nation and second at state,” said Tres Bruffey, LHCAA board member. “That’s pretty amazing.”

“What matters most to me about this team is that they appreciate and support each other.”

-Lubbock Titans boys’ basketball coach Jay Hoage


HIGH SCHOOL

SPORTS

TRAVELIN’ DOWN THIS ROAD TOGETHERThe Lubbock Lady Titans hoops team is more than just a bunch of pretty faces. Make no mistake, these ladies are the total package of beauty, athleticism, and a rock-solid faith in Christ. (left to right) Karli Thornton, Sam Stone, Lindsey Hoage, Hannah Harbin, Tess Bruffey, Haven Middleton, Jauslynn Shephard, Kaci Thornton, Journee Cotton

The girls have 14 players between junior varsity and varsity. They practice at a local church four days a week for two hours a day.

Marla Harbin and Kim Matlock work together to coach the girls from junior high through varsity.

Harbin said, “We take whoever wants to play and we compete against whoever we can get games with.”

“Last year we won third in the large division Caprock tournament,” said Harbin, “and we’ve played Cooper and Shallowater and won both.”

Harbin said, “The team is definitely competitive. We played several top ranked schools. Kids teams that went to their play-offs, like Sudan who won state last year, Abilene Wylie won state last year, Smyer the year before and Amarillo went to the play offs.”

Hannah Harbin, Coach Marla Harbin’s daughter, has recently signed with Lubbock Christian University to play basketball.

“What I love about LCU is that it reminds me so much of my team, and I’m not even really speaking about on the court, but off the court,” said Hannah.

The team motto is Philippians 3:14. “The very first year we started playing

we only won two games,” remembered Hannah. “But we always have this goal to press on towards the goal. Press on whether it’s 20 up or 20 down.”

Team Spirit From their first year together, the Lady

Titans have grown a lot as a team. In the sixth grade the girls ranked last at the national tournament.

Tess Bruffey said, “We all stuck together. Everybody just kept working.”

This last year the girls were ranked number two in all of Texas and third in the nation.

Working hard for one common goal has united them.

Senior Hannah Harbin said, “I have three sisters at home, but I might as well have fourteen other ones because of all of these girls.”

Tess Bruffey agreed, “We are definitely like sisters.”

Taking on the Competition- David and Goliath

For the Lady Titans, placing second at State last year was a big achievement. “We’ve always had this long term goal to win nationals and to win state,” said Tess.

Her father, Tres, described it as a David and Goliath story. “Large schools have more kids to pick from...we are a relatively small homeschool organization. It was like a 2A going up against 5A and having some real success.”

”The game at state last year was definitely the biggest achievement that was very memorable for all of us,” Tess recalled.


At State there’s a crowd of over 1,500 and Nationals a crowd of over 5,000. “We always watch the championship game and it’s just a really fun experience...to actually be playing in it was crazy. I will always remember it,” said Tess.

Volleyball The basketball teams haven’t been the

only teams to meet with success. The Lubbock Titans volleyball team has

13 girls and plays 1A, 2A and 3A schools in the surrounding areas. Coach Michele Brooks tries to follow the UIL rules, playing in three tournaments and around 15 games total.

Like other homeschool coaches, Brooks, a registered dietician who recently started her own business, volunteers her time to the team even though her own children have graduated. “I just do it for the girls. They really understand that I am not here for a job. I am here for them.”

Brooks is out of the house by 6 am three days a week for practice.

“I made it a selling point that the kids would be all ready for school. Three days a week we practice for two hours starting at 6:30 in the morning and twice a week the girls work on agility.”

Brooks said, “I treat my team as though they are a regular public school team. We are not out for recreation sport. We go out to win.”

The team won the Shallowater and Post tournaments and got third in the Littlefield tournament.

The girls also compete in a state homeschool tournament in Plano that Brooks describes as “pretty competitive.” Then the team has a national tournament in Omaha, Nebraska.

“This year our goal was to move up to the silver division.... and we got second in the championships at Nationals. It was great! Our goal next year is gold.”

Brooks’ love and respect for the girls is evident.

“These girls are just fantastic,” said Brooks. “They are the hardest working group I have ever had.”

College Success The Titans have fed multiple kids into

collegiate sports programs. “From our small little meager beginnings

we’ve had some success as far as getting kids into college athletic scholarships,” said Bruffey.

KILLER CROSSOVERHS players Matthias Contreras (left) and Seth Martin face off while JH Coach Brad Sides looks on.

“These girls are just fantastic. They are the hardest working group I have ever had.”

-Lubbock Titans volleyball coach Michele Brooks


HIGH SCHOOL

SPORTS

Currently, 6’4” sophomore Scott Kostedt, is a high point shooter on the Titans Varsity basketball team and shows great promise to play at the collegiate level.

Hannah Harbin, senior on the Lady Titans basketball team, recently signed to play basketball at Lubbock Christian University.

Freshman Jocelyn Richardson graduated from homeschool last year and now plays soccer for LCU. Richardson helps out her former Lady Titans teammates whenever she can.

Richardson’s family moved to New Hampshire at the start of her junior year and she made the difficult decision to live with her basketball coach, Marla Harbin, during the basketball seasons to finish out school with her classmates.

Jocelyn said, “It was really hard my junior year being away from my parents.”

Overall though, she wouldn’t trade the experience.

“It was a great. I learned a lot.” Of Tres Bruffey’s five children, two have already

accepted athletic scholarships with one more on the way. His son Tanner, a senior basketball player at the University of Dallas, went through the Titan’s program and got a scholarship out of high school through Ranger Junior College.

“My daughter Claire was a senior last year and is

now playing on scholarship at McMurray in Abilene.” Now his daughter Tess, a 6’3” junior on the

Lubbock Titan’s Lady basketball team, is starting to garnish quite a bit of attention from over 35 schools from across the nation from Yale to Kansas State.

Tess has been shocked and excited by the attention but seems wise beyond her years. ”Basketball might not work out if you get injured or something... I don’t think that division one or division three even matters to me as long as I love where I’m at.”

The Bruffeys have become familiar with the homeschool to college process. “You have to get acceptance at a university but you also have to go through a process with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).”

“There is a large concern among families whether their kids will be accepted in college coming out of the homeschool environment,” explained Bruffey.

“Our personal experience is that more colleges recognize that homeschool students are good students,” said Bruffey.

“I just encourage people that might be fearful of it,” said Bruffey, “that they can accomplish it.”

Georgia Williams Reed is a freelance author for Sports Lubbock Monthly. Se may be contacted at [email protected].


In high school I played basketball, and I remember praying things like, “God help me to score 30 tonight and I’ll make sure you get the glory.” Which really meant, “God, please make me look good and I’ll make you look good.” It was not clear to me at the time, but I realize in hindsight that much of my

relationship with God was built upon my desire for Him to make me look good. As I grew older and continued to participate in sports, this spiritual battle

lingered. When I was in my 20’s, I pastored a church in Houston. I trained at a Mixed Martial Arts gym hoping to shed some weight and make some new friends. I quickly realized the gym would be a great place for me to share my faith and invest in the lives of others, so I began spending a great deal of time there.

Then IT Happened I started to really like the training. I liked the way it made me feel and I liked the

small victories over others. I began entering competitions and winning. I competed in over 100 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competitive matches including the World Jiu Jitsu Championships and the Pan American Jiu Jitsu Championships.

Once again it was easy for this to become about me. The sin of self-glory led me away from investing in others and I would instead concentrate on myself. Every day that I trained, competed, or coached, the real fight within me asked, “Is this about me or about Jesus?”

The Real FightIn I Timothy 6:12 the Bible says, “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of

the eternal life to which you were called.” This does not mean punching, kicking or blogging about every political scheme that we think opposes our own. It also does not mean that we should desire to literally fight and kill those that are opposed to our faith.

Instead, it is a fight that begins within each of us. We fight to look past our own want, selfishness, and desire to see how Jesus would lead us. It begs the question, “Are we willing to step out of the limelight to put Jesus in it?” This is a picture of true faith, this is faith for which we must fight. When self is denied, Jesus is followed, and true faith grows; powerful transformation begins to shape our lives and which then impacts others. From selfless faith that changes the soul and follows after Jesus, emerges real joy and victory.

RUN THE RACE by BRIAN BEAVER

Fight for Faith

Are we willing to step out of the limelight to put Jesus in it? This is a picture of true faith, this is faith for which we must fight.


Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Heb 12:1

RUN THE RACE is a monthly column featuring a brief devotional written by area coaches and youth ministry leaders.

When this battle is won for Jesus things like sports and athletics can see dramatic redemption. For example, you may work out ten times a week so that you’ll look great in front of a mirror or in a bathing suit. But ultimately that’s just about you. Begin to pray when you workout, look for ways to meet people, talk about making a difference for Jesus and not just your percentage of body fat. Suddenly what was about you is being redeemed for Jesus and becomes much more fulfilling. That’s how God intended it. Make the activities of life about Him and it actually is much more awesome and life giving than when it’s about you.

Parents will often set their children up as their little idols of worship rather than themselves. This can be equally damaging. As a father of three, it is tempting to push my kids to achieve every athletic endeavor that I could not. Why would we put God-sized expectations on such small shoulders? It is an empty hope and unfair to place this burden on them. Fighting for their faith means encouraging our kids to look at sports as a way for them to glorify Jesus; not a way for Jesus to glorify them. This may sound like a tall order, but God’s superior call can create happiness and joy in sports that is only possible through the work of Jesus.

Ultimately the colossal fights of the faithful are not fought on the sports field or in a ring, They are warred within the hearts of people…people just like you and me. These contests are not easy; they are not for the weak or faint of heart. With hope through the grace of the gospel, victory over sin and self can transform sports and provide unparalleled satisfaction to those living for Jesus. This is the power of fighting for faith!

Bryan Beaver has served as a pastor and ministry leader in the West Texas and Houston areas. He attended Philadelphia Biblical University, Wayland Baptist University, and Dallas Theological Seminary. He currently lives in Lubbock and serves at Redeemer Church. He and his wife Misti have three children Isaiah, Lexi, and Samuel. He may be reached at [email protected].

JIU CAN DO ITBrian Beaver trained and competed in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for several years, ultimately earning a spot at both the World Jiu Jitsu Championships as well as the Pan American Jiu Jitsu Championships. Photos provided

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by ALYSSA KITTEN SPORTS IN THE HUB

Baseball is a staple sport in West Texas. From little league to the collegiate big leagues, tournaments at all levels are held in the “Hub City” with the help of the Lubbock Sports team. Most importantly these tournaments result in more money flowing into the local economy. The United States

Specialty Sports Association’s (USSSA) State Baseball Tournament, generated more than 3,000 room nights, and the Goliath Fastpitch Softball Tournament, brought in an economic impact of more than $1.5 million to the “Hub City.”

Recently, a major announcement was made in the collegiate baseball world that will have a great impact recruiting more tournaments and teams to Lubbock. Since 2004, The National College Baseball Hall of Fame has been based in Lubbock. Now, the dream of a permanent home devoted to recognizing and preserving the history of the game is one step closer to becoming a reality.

The Moody Foundation, based in Galveston, Texas, awarded the Hall of Fame a $5 million capital campaign grant on Tuesday, Jan. 9. The grant brings the total raised toward the campaign to approximately $7 million. The total campaign goal is $13 million, with $9 million needed for facility construction and a $4 million endowment. The National College Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum will be dedicated to preserving the artifacts and stories that tell the history of college baseball and to providing educational opportunities for visitors. The Hall of Fame complex will also include a baseball field for youth tournaments and other amateur baseball events.

“This is a momentous day for our organization,” Mike Gustafson, executive director of the College Baseball Hall of Fame, said. “This is a huge step forward for the capital campaign and the mission of the museum.”

What does this new museum and facility mean for Lubbock and more specifically, for sporting events? First of all, Lubbock is receiving national exposure within the baseball community.

“With the opening of the baseball field alone there is more opportunity for events and tournaments to take place in Lubbock,” Scott Harrison, sports director at Lubbock Sports, said.

Alongside creating another facility to host sporting events, the Hall of Fame will bring baseball enthusiasts to Lubbock.

Construction is scheduled to begin this summer on a five-acre plot committed by the City of Lubbock, located northwest of the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center between the Marsha Sharp Freeway and Mac Davis Lane and between Avenues L and O.

“The Lubbock Sports team is looking forward to the new facility,” Harrison said. “We’re excited that Lubbock is the city to host the National College Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.”

If you would like to learn more about what Lubbock Sports can do for you, please call 806.747.5232. To find up-to-date information about events, attractions and dining and shopping options, visit www.visitlubbock.org.

Alyssa Kitten currently serves as Communications Director of Lubbock Sports. She may be reached at [email protected].

“The Lubbock Sports team is looking forward to the new facility. We’re excited that Lubbock is the city to host the National College Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.”

-Lubbock Sports Director Scott Harrison

FIELD OF DREAMSThe new facility promises to provide athletes and fans of all ages with a unique experience, including a new state-of-the-art field for use in tournaments and local games. Rendering courtesy of College Baseball Hall of Fame.

College Baseball Hall of Fame


SPORTS IN THE

HUB


COME PLAY IN OUR NEW YARDThanks in large part to a generous gift from the Moody Foundation, Lubbock will be home to the new College Baseball Hall of Fame. Construction is scheduled to begin this summer on a five-acre plot committed by the City of Lubbock, located northwest of the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center between the Marsha Sharp Freeway and Mac Davis Lane and will include a museum and a sparkling new 900 seat stadium. Renderings courtesy of College Baseball Hall of Fame.

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You will possess a towering sense of honor.

You will develop

a relentless will to succeed.

You will become a part

of our nation’s impenetrable shield.

If you have what it takes to make it.

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