Phil Hicks

WACO — With the price of gas, many folks have tried to cut back on their travel.

But if you’re looking for something to do near Tyler, it’s well worth the trip down Highway 31 to Waco to visit the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.

Sports are as much a part of the Texas culture as oil, bluebonnets and cowboys, and the Lone Star State, according to the Hall of Fame, became the first state to honor its athletes with a hall of fame.

Thad Johnson, the longtime sports editor of

The Beaumont Enterprise got the ball rolling when in 1949 he addressed a meeting of the Texas Sports Writers Association at the Texas High School Coaches Association Convention. He suggested the group start a Texas Sports Hall of Fame.

With the 1951 selection of baseball great Tris Speaker as its inaugural inductee, the ball was rolling so to speak.

The museum was once located in Irving, but has since moved to its present location adjacent the Brazos River near the Baylor University campus, 1108 S. University Parks Drive.

There are many exhibits from Texas Stadium and the Astrodome — to seeing how you match up against George Gervin or Elvin Hayes or David Robinson to golf to football. There’s even a bobble head of Arp’s own Guy V. Lewis, coach of the great University of Houston basketball teams.

When first entering the building, there are the colorful mascots of the colleges and universities in Texas. There’s the Apache fight song for TJC, and, of course, there’s Texas Fight, Baylor’s Fight Song, etc. (Don’t want to offend anyone, but it’s a long list).

It’s interesting the Aggies are still represented by Ol’ Sarge on the board. It doesn’t say “Howdy” but it does play The Aggie War Hymn.

There are also special areas honoring legendary coaches as Darrell Royal, Grant Teaff, and Harvey Penick. There’s George Foreman and Doak Walker areas, and so many more like Earl Campbell, Davey O’Brien, Mary Lou Retton, and on and on.

For Dallas Cowboys fans there’s a treat with the Tom Landry Theater. You can view their triumphs (Super Bowl VI and Super Bowl XII wins under Landry) or the bitter losses (Ice Bowl) and there’s even the American Express commercial that included Coach Landry.

The museum includes the Texas High School Football of Fame and the Texas Tennis Hall of Fame (you’ll spot a Kniffen or two in that section of the building).

Although Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin are not in the building, the museum houses many individuals who have helped build the legacy of our great state.

Notes — Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon-5 p.m. on Sunday. It is open year-round with the exception of Easter, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. … Admission prices are $6 (adults), $5 (seniors 60 and over), $3 (students), and free (children under 6 and active military). … There’s also a gift shop.

HONORING A LEGEND: The Texas Sports Hall of Fame in Waco has a special exhibit for SMU great and Heisman Trophy winner Doak Walker.
((Staff Photo By Phil Hicks))