Six Aggie Athletic Greats to be Inducted into Athletics Hall of Fame, Two Supporters Inducted into Hall of Honor
Feb 09, 2006 | Baseball, General, Track and Field, Women's Basketball, Volleyball
COLLEGE STATION, Texas—Six former Texas A&M athletic greats and two longtime Aggie supporters will be inducted into the school's Athletic Hall of Fame and Hall of Honor on Friday, Feb. 10 at the 28th annual Burgess Banquet. The banquet will be held at the Bernard C. Richardson Zone at Kyle Field beginning at 7 p.m.
The induction was scheduled for September prior to the Texas State football game but Hurricane Rita forced postponement.
The 2005 Texas A&M Athletic Hall of Fame class includes: Gary Herrington '59 (baseball), Rosa Jolivet '98 (track and field), Trey Moore '94 (baseball), Ryan Rupe '98 (baseball), Stacy Sykora '99 (volleyball, track, women's basketball), and Larry Wade '98 (track and field).
Herrington was a three-time (1957-59) All-Southwest Conference catcher for the Aggies and played for Hall of Fame coaches Beau Bell and Tom Chandler. He was a captain for Coach Chandler's first squad in 1959 and that Aggie team brought home the SWC Championship. He was drafted by the California Angels but honored his military service in 1960-61.
Jolivet won the 1998 400-meter hurdles at the NCAA Championships becoming only the second female Aggie track athlete to win an individual national title. She earned All-America honors in both 1996 and 1998, as well as earning All-America honors in the 1600-meter indoor relay in 1996.
Moore was a hard-throwing lefthander who helped lead the Aggie baseball team coached by Mark Johnson to the 1993 College World Series. Moore hurled a complete-game against Lamar in the 1993 Central Regional to help A&M advance to Omaha. Moore was honored as an All-SWC selection as well as earning All-America honors. He was drafted in the second round by the Seattle Mariners in 1994. He went on to play in Japan and earned All-Star Game recognition in 2002 and was the winning pitcher and MVP of the game.
Rupe had to overcome several hurdles which would have sidelined a weaker athlete. After a severe car wreck as a senior in high school, he was still drafted but chose to come to Aggieland. The hard-throwing righthander was a perfect 5-0 as a freshman. Entering his junior year of 1996, he was injured and missed the entire season but was drafted once again. He chose to return to Olsen Field. In 1997, he earned the Olsen Outstanding Pitcher Award and earned All-Big 12 honors despite missing the final part of the season due to a blood clot. Again, major league baseball drafted him but he came back for his senior season. In 1998, he earned All-America honors and led the Aggies to the Big 12 Championship. Rupe was drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 1998 and reached the major leagues.
Noted for her wonderful personality, quick wit and competitive fire, Sykora earned letters in track (1996) and women's basketball (1997) in addition to her stellar four-year career (1995-98) in volleyball. A two-time member of the USA Olympic volleyball squad, she still holds numerous Aggie volleyball records. An All-America selection as well as an All-Big 12 performer in both 1997 and 1998, Sykora also won the 1996 SWC heptathlon in track and field.
Wade was a four-year letterman in track and field for the Aggies (1994-95, 97-98) and won two NCAA individual titles. Wade won the 110-hurdles in the 1998 NCAA Outdoor Championships and brought home the gold in the 55-meter hurdles in the 1998 NCAA Indoor Championships. A three-time All-America honoree in the 110-meter hurdles, he still holds the school record in the event.
Ed Fulbright '49 is a great example of an Aggie. He entered Texas A&M in January of 1945 from Waco High School, but joined the United States Navy. He returned to A&M after his service and completed his degree in civil engineering and was elected as a Yell Leader in 1950. Not only has Fulbright supported Aggie athletics through the 12th Man Foundation and by his presence at multiple Aggie events, he is a President's Endowed Scholarship donor, a member of the President's Council, and a Charter Member of the University Associates Society along with being active in the Dallas A&M Club and the Association of Former Students and Former Yell Leaders Association.
Tom Light did not graduate from Texas A&M, but was one of the top supporters of Texas A&M and in particular Aggie athletics. Born in 1924, Light endured the Great Depression and learned the value of hard work and faith. He served in the United States Merchant Marines during World War II and after spending some time as a preacher and a teacher, he became a car salesman in 1949. He and his family lived in Port Arthur until they moved to Bryan in 1970 as Light took the general manager position for Corbusier Chevrolet. Light bought the dealership in 1972 and never fully retired often checking on the dealership up until his death in 2004. Accepting on behalf of his father is Tim Light.
In addition to being honored on Friday, the inductees will be introduced at the Saturday baseball game between Texas A&M and Northwestern State at 12 noon. The three baseball inductees, Herrington, Moore and Rupe will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Following the baseball game, the inductees will be introduced at the men's basketball game scheduled for 2:30 p.m. against Oklahoma State at Reed Arena.
The induction was scheduled for September prior to the Texas State football game but Hurricane Rita forced postponement.
The 2005 Texas A&M Athletic Hall of Fame class includes: Gary Herrington '59 (baseball), Rosa Jolivet '98 (track and field), Trey Moore '94 (baseball), Ryan Rupe '98 (baseball), Stacy Sykora '99 (volleyball, track, women's basketball), and Larry Wade '98 (track and field).
Herrington was a three-time (1957-59) All-Southwest Conference catcher for the Aggies and played for Hall of Fame coaches Beau Bell and Tom Chandler. He was a captain for Coach Chandler's first squad in 1959 and that Aggie team brought home the SWC Championship. He was drafted by the California Angels but honored his military service in 1960-61.
Jolivet won the 1998 400-meter hurdles at the NCAA Championships becoming only the second female Aggie track athlete to win an individual national title. She earned All-America honors in both 1996 and 1998, as well as earning All-America honors in the 1600-meter indoor relay in 1996.
Moore was a hard-throwing lefthander who helped lead the Aggie baseball team coached by Mark Johnson to the 1993 College World Series. Moore hurled a complete-game against Lamar in the 1993 Central Regional to help A&M advance to Omaha. Moore was honored as an All-SWC selection as well as earning All-America honors. He was drafted in the second round by the Seattle Mariners in 1994. He went on to play in Japan and earned All-Star Game recognition in 2002 and was the winning pitcher and MVP of the game.
Rupe had to overcome several hurdles which would have sidelined a weaker athlete. After a severe car wreck as a senior in high school, he was still drafted but chose to come to Aggieland. The hard-throwing righthander was a perfect 5-0 as a freshman. Entering his junior year of 1996, he was injured and missed the entire season but was drafted once again. He chose to return to Olsen Field. In 1997, he earned the Olsen Outstanding Pitcher Award and earned All-Big 12 honors despite missing the final part of the season due to a blood clot. Again, major league baseball drafted him but he came back for his senior season. In 1998, he earned All-America honors and led the Aggies to the Big 12 Championship. Rupe was drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 1998 and reached the major leagues.
Noted for her wonderful personality, quick wit and competitive fire, Sykora earned letters in track (1996) and women's basketball (1997) in addition to her stellar four-year career (1995-98) in volleyball. A two-time member of the USA Olympic volleyball squad, she still holds numerous Aggie volleyball records. An All-America selection as well as an All-Big 12 performer in both 1997 and 1998, Sykora also won the 1996 SWC heptathlon in track and field.
Wade was a four-year letterman in track and field for the Aggies (1994-95, 97-98) and won two NCAA individual titles. Wade won the 110-hurdles in the 1998 NCAA Outdoor Championships and brought home the gold in the 55-meter hurdles in the 1998 NCAA Indoor Championships. A three-time All-America honoree in the 110-meter hurdles, he still holds the school record in the event.
Ed Fulbright '49 is a great example of an Aggie. He entered Texas A&M in January of 1945 from Waco High School, but joined the United States Navy. He returned to A&M after his service and completed his degree in civil engineering and was elected as a Yell Leader in 1950. Not only has Fulbright supported Aggie athletics through the 12th Man Foundation and by his presence at multiple Aggie events, he is a President's Endowed Scholarship donor, a member of the President's Council, and a Charter Member of the University Associates Society along with being active in the Dallas A&M Club and the Association of Former Students and Former Yell Leaders Association.
Tom Light did not graduate from Texas A&M, but was one of the top supporters of Texas A&M and in particular Aggie athletics. Born in 1924, Light endured the Great Depression and learned the value of hard work and faith. He served in the United States Merchant Marines during World War II and after spending some time as a preacher and a teacher, he became a car salesman in 1949. He and his family lived in Port Arthur until they moved to Bryan in 1970 as Light took the general manager position for Corbusier Chevrolet. Light bought the dealership in 1972 and never fully retired often checking on the dealership up until his death in 2004. Accepting on behalf of his father is Tim Light.
In addition to being honored on Friday, the inductees will be introduced at the Saturday baseball game between Texas A&M and Northwestern State at 12 noon. The three baseball inductees, Herrington, Moore and Rupe will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Following the baseball game, the inductees will be introduced at the men's basketball game scheduled for 2:30 p.m. against Oklahoma State at Reed Arena.
Road to 26 Announcement Press Conference
Thursday, April 09
Fightin' Texas Aggie Band Halftime: Florida
Saturday, October 11
Fightin' Texas Aggie Band Halftime: Mississippi State
Saturday, October 04
Fightin' Texas Aggie Band Halftime: Auburn
Saturday, September 27
