Photo by: Matt Sachs
39th Annual Burgess Banquet Inducts Six Hall of Famers, Three Hall of Honor and Two Lifetime Achievement Award Winners
Nov 18, 2016 | General
COLLEGE STATION, Texas— In the 2015-16 school year, Texas A&M was the only Division I school to advance every athletics program to the post-season. It is appropriate that six different sports were represented in the Texas A&M Lettermen's Association's Hall of Fame Class of 2016. The first representative from equestrian in the Hall of Fame was Quincy Cahill Allen '02, Porscha Lucas '10 from women's track and field, Ryan Palmer '99 from men's golf, Cliff Pennington '06 from baseball, Corey Pullig '96 from football and Julia Wilkinson '10 from women's swimming and diving were the six Hall of Fame inductees.
Tremendous ambassadors and supporters of all Aggie athletic teams, coaches and student-athletes are Sandra and Jerry Griffith '54, and they join Penny King '90, a long-time athletics department administrator, as 2016 inductees into the Hall of Honor.
Two classmates from the early 1980s have achieved success at the highest level of their chosen professions and have been selected as Lifetime Achievement Award winners. Former trainer, manager and longtime athletics fields supervisor Leo Goertz '82 was honored along with the first Aggie head coach to earn a Super Bowl Championship, Gary Kubiak '83.
The organization's 39th annual Burgess Banquet was held Friday, Nov. 18 in the Hall of Champions on the west side of Kyle Field.
QUINCY CAHILL ALLEN '02
Equestrian
Quincy Cahill Allen lettered three years (2000-01-02) in equestrian as the Texas A&M program turned from a fledgling program into a national power thanks to her national success. She was a two-time AQHA National Champion in reining in 2000 and 2002 and is the first Aggie equestrian rider to enter the Texas A&M Hall of Fame. She was a two-time AQHA National Champion in individual open horsemanship in 2001 and 2002. She was the high-point rider in the AQHA in 2000, 2001 and 2002. She still holds three Texas A&M career records: total western points (332); total reining points (184) and total open horsemanship points (148). She helped the Aggie equestrian team win the 2002 Intercollegiate Horse Show Association Western National Championship as well as the Varsity Equestrian Overall National Championship. She graduated from Texas A&M with a degree in animal science in 2002.
PORSCHA LUCAS '10
Women's Track and Field
Porscha Lucas is a four-year letter winner (2007-10) in track and field and was a 19-time All-American. She was a two-time individual NCAA Champion in winning the outdoor 200 meters in both 2009 and 2010 and helped lead the women's track and field team to the team national titles in 2009 and again in 2010. She was a key member of the 4X100 outdoor relay that won four consecutive NCAA Championships from 2007 through 2010. She was also instrumental in the indoor NCAA Champion 4X400 relay in 2009. Her efforts were rewarded as she was named the 2009 South Central Region Track Athlete of the Year by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). She helped the women's track and field team win four straight indoor Big 12 Championships and four straight Big 12 Outdoor Championships. She was named the 2010 Texas A&M Distinguished Letterman at the athletics department annual year-end banquet. She graduated from Texas A&M with a degree in allied health in 2011 and continues to compete professionally.
RYAN PALMER '99
Men's Golf
Ryan Palmer was a three-year letterman (1997-98-99) in men's golf and earned All-Big 12 honors all three years as well as earning All-Big 12 Tournament honors in 1997. He left as the single-season scoring record holder with an average of 73.4 and won two individual titles. Palmer had the opportunity to play with Payne Stewart in a practice round prior to the 1998 U.S. Open. After joining the PGA Tour, Palmer finished work on his degree in 2001 and continues to play on the PGA Tour. He has three wins on tour, eight second-place finishes as well as 45 Top 10 finishes on tour. His lifetime earnings are over $20 million and he finished 16th at the San Antonio Valero Texas Open in 2016. In addition to his play on the tour, Palmer gives back to the golf world and his community with the Ryan Palmer Foundation. He completed work on his degree in recreation, parks & tourism sciences in 2011.
CLIFF PENNINGTON '06
Baseball
Cliff Pennington was a three-year letterman in baseball (2003-04-05) before being drafted in the first round of the 2005 Major League Baseball draft by the Oakland Athletics. He was a three-time All-Big 12 selection and earned All-America honors as a shortstop in the spring of 2005. In 2005 he put together a 20-game hitting streak and his name dots the record book in both season and career lists. He was the Aggies' Marion Pugh MVP in 2005. He helped the Aggie team to the 2003 and 2004 NCAA regionals with the 2004 squad advancing to the Super Regionals by virtue of beating Rice in Houston. After being drafted by the A's, Pennington was named to the 2008 Futures All-Star Game and broke into the big leagues later that year. He has played for the A's, the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Toronto Blue Jays and currently with the Los Angeles Angles of Anaheim.
COREY PULLIG '96
Football
Corey Pullig was a four-year football letterman (1992-95) helping put together a team record of 41-6-1 during his four years with the Aggie football team. As a true freshman in 1992, he started the ninth game of the season against Louisville and helped the Aggies win the SWC Championship in 1992 and 1993 and posted the best record in the SWC in 1994 with a 10-0-1 record. Pullig went on to become the winningest quarterback in Texas A&M football history with a record of 33-6-1 (.838) in his starts. After earning his degree in marketing in 1996, Pullig went on to earn his Juris Doctor from the South Texas College of Law and has served as a Marine Judge Advocate in the United States Marine Corps.
JULIA WILKINSON '10
Women's Swimming & Diving
Julia Wilkinson is a two-time Olympian (2008, 2012 Canada), earned 23 All-American honors (tied for the most in school history), 20 individual or relay conference titles and helped the Aggie team to the first three conference team titles in program history during her four seasons (2006-07, 2008, 2010) in Aggieland. Wilkinson was also Texas A&M's first ever swimming NCAA Champion (100 free, 2010). The communications major overcame a shoulder injury that forced her to redshirt between her junior and senior seasons but ultimately she completed her career as a two-time Big 12 Swimmer of the Year (2008, 2010) with two-time Big 12 Outstanding Swimmer of the Meet honors (2008, 2010) along with school records in the 200 freestyle, 100 backstroke and 200 IM. Her school record in the 200 IM still stands today. She displayed an impressive prowess for the Aggies internationally as well, as a two-time Canadian Olympian (2008, 2012), finalist in the 200 IM at the Beijing Summer Olympics and Canadian National Record holder in multiple races. In addition to her athletic achievements, the Stratford, Ontario native was crowned with several academic accolades including the 2010 Distinguished Lettermen award winner, the 2009 Bill Erwin Scholar-Athlete of the Year, 3-time first-team Academic All-Big 12 and two-time Academic All-American (2008, 2010). She earned her bachelor's degree in communication with a double minor in English and sports management.
Sandy & Jerry Griffith '54
A fixture at many Aggie practices, this Aggie couple has been counted on to welcome Aggie teams wherever they may travel on the road. In addition to financial support throughout the years, this couple is always ready with a hearty handshake and a hug. Whether it is football, men's or women's basketball, baseball or any Aggie athletics team, Jerry and Sandra are always there. One of the many letters of support included this quote from Aggie football coaching legend R.C. Slocum, "I came to know Jerry and Sandra as people that cared about Texas A&M, but really cared more about the student-athletes in all sports. They have displayed the highest level of loyalty to Texas A&M, its coaches and athletes. Their support has never been conditional. They are committed win or lose. I would venture to say that there is not another couple that would be better known, loved, and respected than Sandra and Jerry Griffith."
Penny King, '90
Penny King began working for the Texas A&M athletics department in 1972 in the athletic ticket office and transitioned to the business office where she flourished serving as the athletic business manager before being promoted to assistant athletics director for business and reached the level of deputy director of athletics. When she retired in February of 2014, she held the title of senior associate athletics director and senior women's administrator. During her 41 years of service, she thrived in all areas. She raised a family, earned her college degree in business management graduating cum laude from Texas A&M while being a key component of the athletics department. In addition to her role in Aggie athletics, King was an active member of many national intercollegiate organizations and served the Bryan College Station community as a rotary member and served as President of the organization in 2000-01 and was presented the 2005 Service Award for Professional Excellence in celebration of Rotary's centennial year.
Leo Goertz '82
Before reaching the pinnacle of his profession and before becoming a longtime Texas A&M athletics staff member and highly decorated field manager, Leo Goertz earned letters as a trainer/manager for Aggie baseball working with legendary Coach Tom Chandler and under the tutelage of Aggie and training mentor Billy Pickard.
Goertz, who also umpired, continued to be the man responsible for the pristine playing surface at Olsen Field as Mark Johnson succeeded Coach Chandler and Johnson went on to become the winningest Aggie baseball coach. Goertz remained close to current Aggie head coach Rob Childress and to all Aggie baseball players who have come through Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park since 1978.
A native of New Braunfels, Goertz graduated from Texas A&M in 1985 and later that year was honored by Diamond Dry Collegiate Baseball as the Groundskeeper of the Year, and then was honored again by the Beam Clay Company in 1987.
In 1996, Goertz was named the athletic field manager for the entire Aggie athletics department including Kyle Field.
In 1997, Goertz and the softball grounds crew were awarded the Turface National Fast Pitch Coaches Association field of the year award at the regional level. They won the same award in 1999, but at the national level. The year 2000 brought them the honor of The College Soccer Field of the Year Award by the STMA (Sports Turf Managers Association). In 2004, the field crew won the Sports Turf Managers Association Football Field of the Year Award and the NFCA Regional Softball Field of the Year.
Called upon to speak at many teaching situations, Goertz hired outstanding assistants and students who have gone on to become groundskeepers across the country. One of his greatest joys was passing along his knowledge to younger turf grass students.
Goertz worked with Aggie football helping move the equipment from College Station to road games, and making sure the coaches' phones worked properly.
Goertz was honored by the Aggie athletics department as the March 2014 Teammate of the Month for his dedication and excellence with the department.
???????Goertz served as an older brother or father figure for the Diamond Darlings, always making sure they were treated with respect and kindness around Olsen Field. Umpires for many years depended on Goertz to provide up to the minute weather updates which allowed games to be played and Goertz responded by always treating the men in blue with respect and anything they needed in their dressing room.
???????Goertz passed away in December of 2015.
Gary Kubiak '83
Before Gary Kubiak led the Denver Broncos to the Super Bowl Championship in 2016, becoming the first Aggie head coach to win the Super Bowl, he earned three letters (1980-82) as a quarterback on the Aggie football team. As a senior, he was honored with the Aggie Heart Award, the most prestigious honor for an Aggie senior football player. The Houston native earned his degree in physical education in 1983 and was drafted in the eighth round of the 1983 NFL draft by the Denver Broncos. He would play quarterback in the NFL from 1983-91 and reached the Super Bowl three times as a player.
After retiring from the NFL, he returned to Aggieland to serve as an assistant coach on R.C. Slocum's staff and the Aggies were 22-3 with two SWC Championships. He returned to the NFL to coach with the San Francisco 49ers in 1994 before making his way back to the Broncos as offensive coordinator from 1995-2005. He would become the head coach of the Houston Texans from 2006-13 and served as the offensive coordinator with the Baltimore Ravens in 2014 before being named the head coach of the Denver Broncos in 2015. With the Super Bowl win in 2016, Kubiak has earned four Super Bowl rings.
An All-State and All-America quarterback at St. Pius High School in Houston, Kubiak was inducted into the Texas High School Sports Hall of Fame in March of 1999.
2016 Inductees into the Texas A&M University Athletic Hall of Fame
Quincy Cahill Allen '02, Equestrian
Porscha Lucas '10, Track & Field
Ryan Palmer '99, Golf
Cliff Pennington '06, Baseball
Corey Pullig '96, Football
Julia Wilkinson '10, Swimming
2016 Texas A&M Hall of Honor Inductees
Sandy & Jerry Griffith '54
Penny King, '90
2016 Texas A&M Lifetime Achievement Award
Leo Goertz '82, Baseball
Gary Kubiak '83, Football
Tremendous ambassadors and supporters of all Aggie athletic teams, coaches and student-athletes are Sandra and Jerry Griffith '54, and they join Penny King '90, a long-time athletics department administrator, as 2016 inductees into the Hall of Honor.
Two classmates from the early 1980s have achieved success at the highest level of their chosen professions and have been selected as Lifetime Achievement Award winners. Former trainer, manager and longtime athletics fields supervisor Leo Goertz '82 was honored along with the first Aggie head coach to earn a Super Bowl Championship, Gary Kubiak '83.
The organization's 39th annual Burgess Banquet was held Friday, Nov. 18 in the Hall of Champions on the west side of Kyle Field.
2016 TEXAS A&M LETTERMEN'S ASSOCIATION HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
QUINCY CAHILL ALLEN '02
Equestrian
Quincy Cahill Allen lettered three years (2000-01-02) in equestrian as the Texas A&M program turned from a fledgling program into a national power thanks to her national success. She was a two-time AQHA National Champion in reining in 2000 and 2002 and is the first Aggie equestrian rider to enter the Texas A&M Hall of Fame. She was a two-time AQHA National Champion in individual open horsemanship in 2001 and 2002. She was the high-point rider in the AQHA in 2000, 2001 and 2002. She still holds three Texas A&M career records: total western points (332); total reining points (184) and total open horsemanship points (148). She helped the Aggie equestrian team win the 2002 Intercollegiate Horse Show Association Western National Championship as well as the Varsity Equestrian Overall National Championship. She graduated from Texas A&M with a degree in animal science in 2002.
PORSCHA LUCAS '10
Women's Track and Field
Porscha Lucas is a four-year letter winner (2007-10) in track and field and was a 19-time All-American. She was a two-time individual NCAA Champion in winning the outdoor 200 meters in both 2009 and 2010 and helped lead the women's track and field team to the team national titles in 2009 and again in 2010. She was a key member of the 4X100 outdoor relay that won four consecutive NCAA Championships from 2007 through 2010. She was also instrumental in the indoor NCAA Champion 4X400 relay in 2009. Her efforts were rewarded as she was named the 2009 South Central Region Track Athlete of the Year by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). She helped the women's track and field team win four straight indoor Big 12 Championships and four straight Big 12 Outdoor Championships. She was named the 2010 Texas A&M Distinguished Letterman at the athletics department annual year-end banquet. She graduated from Texas A&M with a degree in allied health in 2011 and continues to compete professionally.
RYAN PALMER '99
Men's Golf
Ryan Palmer was a three-year letterman (1997-98-99) in men's golf and earned All-Big 12 honors all three years as well as earning All-Big 12 Tournament honors in 1997. He left as the single-season scoring record holder with an average of 73.4 and won two individual titles. Palmer had the opportunity to play with Payne Stewart in a practice round prior to the 1998 U.S. Open. After joining the PGA Tour, Palmer finished work on his degree in 2001 and continues to play on the PGA Tour. He has three wins on tour, eight second-place finishes as well as 45 Top 10 finishes on tour. His lifetime earnings are over $20 million and he finished 16th at the San Antonio Valero Texas Open in 2016. In addition to his play on the tour, Palmer gives back to the golf world and his community with the Ryan Palmer Foundation. He completed work on his degree in recreation, parks & tourism sciences in 2011.
CLIFF PENNINGTON '06
Baseball
Cliff Pennington was a three-year letterman in baseball (2003-04-05) before being drafted in the first round of the 2005 Major League Baseball draft by the Oakland Athletics. He was a three-time All-Big 12 selection and earned All-America honors as a shortstop in the spring of 2005. In 2005 he put together a 20-game hitting streak and his name dots the record book in both season and career lists. He was the Aggies' Marion Pugh MVP in 2005. He helped the Aggie team to the 2003 and 2004 NCAA regionals with the 2004 squad advancing to the Super Regionals by virtue of beating Rice in Houston. After being drafted by the A's, Pennington was named to the 2008 Futures All-Star Game and broke into the big leagues later that year. He has played for the A's, the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Toronto Blue Jays and currently with the Los Angeles Angles of Anaheim.
COREY PULLIG '96
Football
Corey Pullig was a four-year football letterman (1992-95) helping put together a team record of 41-6-1 during his four years with the Aggie football team. As a true freshman in 1992, he started the ninth game of the season against Louisville and helped the Aggies win the SWC Championship in 1992 and 1993 and posted the best record in the SWC in 1994 with a 10-0-1 record. Pullig went on to become the winningest quarterback in Texas A&M football history with a record of 33-6-1 (.838) in his starts. After earning his degree in marketing in 1996, Pullig went on to earn his Juris Doctor from the South Texas College of Law and has served as a Marine Judge Advocate in the United States Marine Corps.
JULIA WILKINSON '10
Women's Swimming & Diving
Julia Wilkinson is a two-time Olympian (2008, 2012 Canada), earned 23 All-American honors (tied for the most in school history), 20 individual or relay conference titles and helped the Aggie team to the first three conference team titles in program history during her four seasons (2006-07, 2008, 2010) in Aggieland. Wilkinson was also Texas A&M's first ever swimming NCAA Champion (100 free, 2010). The communications major overcame a shoulder injury that forced her to redshirt between her junior and senior seasons but ultimately she completed her career as a two-time Big 12 Swimmer of the Year (2008, 2010) with two-time Big 12 Outstanding Swimmer of the Meet honors (2008, 2010) along with school records in the 200 freestyle, 100 backstroke and 200 IM. Her school record in the 200 IM still stands today. She displayed an impressive prowess for the Aggies internationally as well, as a two-time Canadian Olympian (2008, 2012), finalist in the 200 IM at the Beijing Summer Olympics and Canadian National Record holder in multiple races. In addition to her athletic achievements, the Stratford, Ontario native was crowned with several academic accolades including the 2010 Distinguished Lettermen award winner, the 2009 Bill Erwin Scholar-Athlete of the Year, 3-time first-team Academic All-Big 12 and two-time Academic All-American (2008, 2010). She earned her bachelor's degree in communication with a double minor in English and sports management.
2016 TEXAS A&M LETTERMEN'S ASSOCIATION HALL OF HONOR INDUCTEES
Sandy & Jerry Griffith '54
A fixture at many Aggie practices, this Aggie couple has been counted on to welcome Aggie teams wherever they may travel on the road. In addition to financial support throughout the years, this couple is always ready with a hearty handshake and a hug. Whether it is football, men's or women's basketball, baseball or any Aggie athletics team, Jerry and Sandra are always there. One of the many letters of support included this quote from Aggie football coaching legend R.C. Slocum, "I came to know Jerry and Sandra as people that cared about Texas A&M, but really cared more about the student-athletes in all sports. They have displayed the highest level of loyalty to Texas A&M, its coaches and athletes. Their support has never been conditional. They are committed win or lose. I would venture to say that there is not another couple that would be better known, loved, and respected than Sandra and Jerry Griffith."
Penny King, '90
Penny King began working for the Texas A&M athletics department in 1972 in the athletic ticket office and transitioned to the business office where she flourished serving as the athletic business manager before being promoted to assistant athletics director for business and reached the level of deputy director of athletics. When she retired in February of 2014, she held the title of senior associate athletics director and senior women's administrator. During her 41 years of service, she thrived in all areas. She raised a family, earned her college degree in business management graduating cum laude from Texas A&M while being a key component of the athletics department. In addition to her role in Aggie athletics, King was an active member of many national intercollegiate organizations and served the Bryan College Station community as a rotary member and served as President of the organization in 2000-01 and was presented the 2005 Service Award for Professional Excellence in celebration of Rotary's centennial year.
2016 Texas A&M Lifetime Achievement Award Winners
Leo Goertz '82
Before reaching the pinnacle of his profession and before becoming a longtime Texas A&M athletics staff member and highly decorated field manager, Leo Goertz earned letters as a trainer/manager for Aggie baseball working with legendary Coach Tom Chandler and under the tutelage of Aggie and training mentor Billy Pickard.
Goertz, who also umpired, continued to be the man responsible for the pristine playing surface at Olsen Field as Mark Johnson succeeded Coach Chandler and Johnson went on to become the winningest Aggie baseball coach. Goertz remained close to current Aggie head coach Rob Childress and to all Aggie baseball players who have come through Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park since 1978.
A native of New Braunfels, Goertz graduated from Texas A&M in 1985 and later that year was honored by Diamond Dry Collegiate Baseball as the Groundskeeper of the Year, and then was honored again by the Beam Clay Company in 1987.
In 1996, Goertz was named the athletic field manager for the entire Aggie athletics department including Kyle Field.
In 1997, Goertz and the softball grounds crew were awarded the Turface National Fast Pitch Coaches Association field of the year award at the regional level. They won the same award in 1999, but at the national level. The year 2000 brought them the honor of The College Soccer Field of the Year Award by the STMA (Sports Turf Managers Association). In 2004, the field crew won the Sports Turf Managers Association Football Field of the Year Award and the NFCA Regional Softball Field of the Year.
Called upon to speak at many teaching situations, Goertz hired outstanding assistants and students who have gone on to become groundskeepers across the country. One of his greatest joys was passing along his knowledge to younger turf grass students.
Goertz worked with Aggie football helping move the equipment from College Station to road games, and making sure the coaches' phones worked properly.
Goertz was honored by the Aggie athletics department as the March 2014 Teammate of the Month for his dedication and excellence with the department.
???????Goertz served as an older brother or father figure for the Diamond Darlings, always making sure they were treated with respect and kindness around Olsen Field. Umpires for many years depended on Goertz to provide up to the minute weather updates which allowed games to be played and Goertz responded by always treating the men in blue with respect and anything they needed in their dressing room.
???????Goertz passed away in December of 2015.
Gary Kubiak '83
Before Gary Kubiak led the Denver Broncos to the Super Bowl Championship in 2016, becoming the first Aggie head coach to win the Super Bowl, he earned three letters (1980-82) as a quarterback on the Aggie football team. As a senior, he was honored with the Aggie Heart Award, the most prestigious honor for an Aggie senior football player. The Houston native earned his degree in physical education in 1983 and was drafted in the eighth round of the 1983 NFL draft by the Denver Broncos. He would play quarterback in the NFL from 1983-91 and reached the Super Bowl three times as a player.
After retiring from the NFL, he returned to Aggieland to serve as an assistant coach on R.C. Slocum's staff and the Aggies were 22-3 with two SWC Championships. He returned to the NFL to coach with the San Francisco 49ers in 1994 before making his way back to the Broncos as offensive coordinator from 1995-2005. He would become the head coach of the Houston Texans from 2006-13 and served as the offensive coordinator with the Baltimore Ravens in 2014 before being named the head coach of the Denver Broncos in 2015. With the Super Bowl win in 2016, Kubiak has earned four Super Bowl rings.
An All-State and All-America quarterback at St. Pius High School in Houston, Kubiak was inducted into the Texas High School Sports Hall of Fame in March of 1999.
2016 Inductees into the Texas A&M University Athletic Hall of Fame
Quincy Cahill Allen '02, Equestrian
Porscha Lucas '10, Track & Field
Ryan Palmer '99, Golf
Cliff Pennington '06, Baseball
Corey Pullig '96, Football
Julia Wilkinson '10, Swimming
2016 Texas A&M Hall of Honor Inductees
Sandy & Jerry Griffith '54
Penny King, '90
2016 Texas A&M Lifetime Achievement Award
Leo Goertz '82, Baseball
Gary Kubiak '83, Football
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
