DALLAS- An all-city baseball player at Bryan Adams High School, turned state-title winning coach at South Oak Cliff High School, current Texas A&M head coach Gary Blair was inducted into the Dallas Independent School District Hall of Fame Friday at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel.
"I am honored that Dallas ISD is remembering the start of my career, because being a student in Dallas was special to me growing up, from elementary school to Bryan Adams," said Blair. "To get a chance to come back as a coach in DISD was a dream come true, knowing that I was there for the start of women's athletics. Not only did South Oak Cliff turn into a national power, so many of our young ladies became success stories after going on to college and graduating. My time in Dallas ISD truly turned me into the coach and person I am today."
Blair helped Bryan Adams win its first Dallas City Championship in baseball during the 1963 season, earning all-city recognition as a centerfielder.
At South Oak Cliff, Blair went 239-18 as the head coach of the girls' basketball team from 1973-80, winning 4A state titles in 1977, 1978 and 1980 and setting a state record with five straight state tournament appearances. Blair also coached the South Oak Cliff's golf, volleyball and track and field squads.
Since leaving South Oak Cliff to begin a collegiate coaching career, Blair has won 791 games—the fifth-most among active Division I women's basketball coaches. As a head coach, Blair has won 17 conference championships, made 12 NCAA Sweet 16 appearances and led the Aggies to the 2011 NCAA Championship.
This is the seventh Hall of Fame Blair has been inducted into, including the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame (2013 inductee), Texas Sports Hall of Fame (2011), Texas High School Basketball Hall of Fame (2002), Southland Conference Hall of Honor (2009), Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame (2014) and the Stephen F. Austin Ladyjack Hall of Fame (2008).
"I am honored that Dallas ISD is remembering the start of my career, because being a student in Dallas was special to me growing up, from elementary school to Bryan Adams," said Blair. "To get a chance to come back as a coach in DISD was a dream come true, knowing that I was there for the start of women's athletics. Not only did South Oak Cliff turn into a national power, so many of our young ladies became success stories after going on to college and graduating. My time in Dallas ISD truly turned me into the coach and person I am today."
Blair helped Bryan Adams win its first Dallas City Championship in baseball during the 1963 season, earning all-city recognition as a centerfielder.
At South Oak Cliff, Blair went 239-18 as the head coach of the girls' basketball team from 1973-80, winning 4A state titles in 1977, 1978 and 1980 and setting a state record with five straight state tournament appearances. Blair also coached the South Oak Cliff's golf, volleyball and track and field squads.
Since leaving South Oak Cliff to begin a collegiate coaching career, Blair has won 791 games—the fifth-most among active Division I women's basketball coaches. As a head coach, Blair has won 17 conference championships, made 12 NCAA Sweet 16 appearances and led the Aggies to the 2011 NCAA Championship.
This is the seventh Hall of Fame Blair has been inducted into, including the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame (2013 inductee), Texas Sports Hall of Fame (2011), Texas High School Basketball Hall of Fame (2002), Southland Conference Hall of Honor (2009), Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame (2014) and the Stephen F. Austin Ladyjack Hall of Fame (2008).