Six Aggie Athletic Greats Inducted into Athletics Hall of Fame
Sep 08, 2006 | Baseball, Football, General, Men's Basketball, Softball
COLLEGE STATION, Texas—Six Texas A&M athletic greats were inducted into the school's Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday, Sept. 8 at the 29th annual Burgess Banquet. The banquet was held at the Bernard C. Richardson Zone at Kyle Field.
The 2006 Texas A&M Athletic Hall of Fame class included: Joe Boring '55 (football, basketball, baseball), Bob Brock (Aggie softball head coach 1981-96), Cindy Cooper '86 (softball), Mark Dennard '78 (football), Shane Lechler '99 (football), and Rodney Thomas '95 (football).
Boring was a three-sport standout lettering in football in 1952 and 1953, basketball in 1954 and baseball in 1955 and 1956. He was a consensus All-SWC defensive back in 1952 and left with the school career interception mark with 11 picks in his two seasons. He still holds the record with four interceptions in one game vs. Arkansas in 1952. He was a team captain on the Aggie baseball team of 1956 and helped the Aggies win the 1955 Southwest Conference Championship.
Bob Brock served as the Aggies' head softball coach from 1981-96 and during his time the Aggies won the 1982 AIAW National Championship and won the 1983 and 1987 NCAA College World Series. He coached nine first-team All-Americans and seven of his players have been named to the Aggie Athletic Hall of Fame.
Cindy Cooper played for Coach Brock and was a three-time (1984-85-86) All-American third baseman for the Aggies helping the Aggies win the 1983 NCAA Championship. She earned her degree in 1987 and was a member of the USA National Softball team in 1989 and again in 1994. Currently she is the CEO and general counsel of Park Associates, Inc. in California.
Mark Dennard was a three-year letterman on the Aggie football team and helped the Aggies to a share of the 1975 SWC Championship. He was a consensus All-SWC selection at center and earned honorable mention All-America honors before being drafted by the Miami Dolphins. He played professionally for the Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles. He currently owns the Wings 'N More chain of restaurants.
Shane Lechler was an All-American punter for the Aggies and was a four-year letterman from 1996-99. He ended his Aggie career with an NCAA record 45.9 yards per punt and was drafted by the Oakland Raiders and continues to play for Oakland. A four-time All-Pro punter, he has been to the Pro Bowl twice in his career.
Rodney Thomas was a four-year letterman from 1991-94 and helped the Aggies win three consecutive SWC Championships (1991-92-93). The 1994 Aggie Heart Award winner was noted for giving everything he had on every single play. He was drafted by the Houston Oilers and played with the Oilers before making the move with the club to Tennessee and he finished his career in 2001 with the Atlanta Falcons.
The inductees will be honored at the Saturday, Sept. 9 football game against Louisiana-Lafayette. The inductees will sign autographs at the Aggie Fan Zone prior to the game.
The 2006 Texas A&M Athletic Hall of Fame class included: Joe Boring '55 (football, basketball, baseball), Bob Brock (Aggie softball head coach 1981-96), Cindy Cooper '86 (softball), Mark Dennard '78 (football), Shane Lechler '99 (football), and Rodney Thomas '95 (football).
Boring was a three-sport standout lettering in football in 1952 and 1953, basketball in 1954 and baseball in 1955 and 1956. He was a consensus All-SWC defensive back in 1952 and left with the school career interception mark with 11 picks in his two seasons. He still holds the record with four interceptions in one game vs. Arkansas in 1952. He was a team captain on the Aggie baseball team of 1956 and helped the Aggies win the 1955 Southwest Conference Championship.
Bob Brock served as the Aggies' head softball coach from 1981-96 and during his time the Aggies won the 1982 AIAW National Championship and won the 1983 and 1987 NCAA College World Series. He coached nine first-team All-Americans and seven of his players have been named to the Aggie Athletic Hall of Fame.
Cindy Cooper played for Coach Brock and was a three-time (1984-85-86) All-American third baseman for the Aggies helping the Aggies win the 1983 NCAA Championship. She earned her degree in 1987 and was a member of the USA National Softball team in 1989 and again in 1994. Currently she is the CEO and general counsel of Park Associates, Inc. in California.
Mark Dennard was a three-year letterman on the Aggie football team and helped the Aggies to a share of the 1975 SWC Championship. He was a consensus All-SWC selection at center and earned honorable mention All-America honors before being drafted by the Miami Dolphins. He played professionally for the Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles. He currently owns the Wings 'N More chain of restaurants.
Shane Lechler was an All-American punter for the Aggies and was a four-year letterman from 1996-99. He ended his Aggie career with an NCAA record 45.9 yards per punt and was drafted by the Oakland Raiders and continues to play for Oakland. A four-time All-Pro punter, he has been to the Pro Bowl twice in his career.
Rodney Thomas was a four-year letterman from 1991-94 and helped the Aggies win three consecutive SWC Championships (1991-92-93). The 1994 Aggie Heart Award winner was noted for giving everything he had on every single play. He was drafted by the Houston Oilers and played with the Oilers before making the move with the club to Tennessee and he finished his career in 2001 with the Atlanta Falcons.
The inductees will be honored at the Saturday, Sept. 9 football game against Louisiana-Lafayette. The inductees will sign autographs at the Aggie Fan Zone prior to the game.
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