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11/8/01

Eight Longhorn Hall of Honor inductees to be recognized during Saturday's Kansas game

AUSTIN, Texas - A class of eight University of Texas men will be inducted into the Longhorn Hall of Honor on Friday, Nov. 9, during the Hall of Honor Enshrinement Ceremony at the Four Seasons Hotel. The Class of 2001 will then be recognized along with the four-member Women's class during a pregame ceremony prior to Saturday's football game against Kansas.

This year's class includes five members of the current era (those who have played in the last 40 years), two vintage choices and one member, who is being enshrined as a special exception to the rules that require an athlete or staff member to have finished their tenure before becoming eligible.

This year's honorees are Bill Atessis (football), Britt Hager (football), Terry Tausch (football), Ike Sewell (football), Dennis Cook (baseball), Ron Baxter (basketball), Col. John Payne (golf) and Charles Craven (administration).
The Longhorn Hall of Honor charter states that a selection is done "in recognition of those qualities that brought credit and renown to The University of Texas."

2001 Longhorn Hall of Honor Inductees (Men's Athletics)
Bill Atessis (Football)
Powerful defensive end on the 1968-70 teams that had a school-record 30-game winning streak … consensus All-American as a senior after being selected to Playboy's Preseason All-America team … two-time consensus All-SWC choice (1969, 70) … moved to defensive tackle as a sophomore after missing chance to play much on freshman team because of injury … shifted to end midway through his sophomore season, a move that solidified the defensive line … made several All-America teams as junior after missing spring training due to knee surgery … played before defensive statistics were recorded but was at his best in defending the run … was biggest player on team at 260 pounds … selected in the second round of NFL Draft but was with New England Patriots for only one season … involved in insurance/annuities business in Houston.

Britt Hager (Football)
Speedy and savvy middle linebacker who stood out although undersized for the position … named All-Southwest Conference in 1987 and '88 and was an All-American on the American Coaches Association team as a senior … his 195 total tackles and 120 solo stops in 1988 are school records … 187 tackles and 95 solos in 1987 are second-best … UT's career tackles leader (499) … had a 25-yard interception return for a touchdown against Oregon State in 1987 … part-time starter as a sophomore in 1985, but an ankle injury in '86 opener led to fifth-year hardship grant … played nine seasons in NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles (1989-94), Denver Broncos (1995-96) and Los Angeles Rams (1997) … in private business and resides in Austin.

Terry Tausch (Football)
Speedy, dependable offensive tackle who capped his four seasons as a starter with consensus All-America honors in 1981 … named a Football News All-American as a junior … also earned consensus All-Southwest Conference honors his final two seasons … came to UT as tight end prospect with 4.7 speed, but a knee operation delayed his freshman season … full statistics are not available, but he had 27 pins in 1979 and 18 the following year … had tremendous signature game in 16-7 win against third-ranked Oklahoma in 1979 when he had seven pins while UT relied on the counter dive play over him for yardage … played with the Minnesota Vikings (1982-88) and the Super Bowl Champion San Francisco 49ers (1989) during his NFL career … now a sales manager for an Austin medical supply company.

Ike Sewell (Football)
A three year starter at guard from 1926-29 … an All-Southwest Conference selection in 1927 … outstanding lineman on the 1928 SWC Championship team … member of the first team to wear Texas burnt orange (1928) … following graduation, he entered the business world with American Airlines for six years and then Fleishman Distilling … retired as vice president of the company in 1965 … known as the creator of the "Chicago-style" deep-dish pizza … dedicated to numerous charities in Chicago … the 1987 National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame Distinguished American Award recipient.

Dennis Cook (Baseball)
A two-time all-Southwest Conference outfielder from 1984-85 who also pitched on a regular basis for the Longhorns during his two seasons … posted a 9-1 career record on the mound to go along with a 3.34 ERA and 74 strikeouts in 94.1 innings … hit .351 for his career (currently ranks 11th on school career list) and helped Texas finish as the runner-up for the National Championship in 1984 and '85 … helped UT to back-to-back SWC crowns in 1984-85 … in 1984, he hit .341 in helping lead the Horns to a 60-14 record … in 1985, he hit .364 (.406 in league play) … began a major league pitching career with the San Francisco Giants in 1988 … has played for nine clubs during his 14-year career … currently a member of the Philadelphia Phillies … has helped his professional clubs reach four Divisional Playoff Series, three League Championships and two World Series … played a critical relief role in helping the Florida Marlins capture the 1997 World Championship by pitching 3.2 scoreless innings with one victory (three appearances) … Major League record is 63-45 with a 3.93 ERA, nine saves and 726 strikeouts in 987.2 innings.

Ron Baxter (Men's Basketball)
Four-year starter at small forward for the Longhorns … helped UT post a 79-37 mark in his four seasons … left Texas as the all-time career leader in scoring (1,897) and rebounding (919) … currently ranks fourth on the all-time UT scoring list and third in rebounding … two-time All-SWC selection (1977-78, '79-80) … his 16.7 point and 8.5 rebound averages during his freshman season still rank as the second-best totals by a frosh in school history … still holds UT's freshman record for most double-doubles (13/1976-77) … as a sophomore, averaged 19.0 points per game , while leading Horns to a 26-5 record and NIT Championship … averaged 11.7 points per contest as a junior while guiding Texas to a 21-8 record and the second round of the NCAA Tournament … led team in scoring (17.8 ppg) during his senior season … selected by the Los Angeles Lakers in the fourth round of the 1980 NBA Draft … currently resides in Austin and works for a local computer company.

Col. John Payne (Men's Golf)
Captain of the UT golf team that won three straight Southwest Conference Championships … graduated in 1935 and left during first year of Law School to join Army Air Corps in 1936 … assigned to duty in Africa in 1942 … led first attack of his bomber group against Italian fleet … awarded Silver Star and made Lt. Col … completed tour of combat duty, but in January, 1943, volunteered to lead old unit over Italy and was transferred to Cairo … killed in action during a bomber run … Army airfield near Cairo was named "The John H. Payne Field" … when airfield was turned over to Egypt, the plaque that hung there was given to UT and displayed in Gregory Gym for many years.

Charles Craven (Administration)
Associated with The University of Texas for more than 40 years … student, teaching assistant and associate professor have been some of his titles as he has split his time between academics and athletics … co-founder of the Strength and Conditioning Program for Intercollegiate Athletics for Men in 1965 … founding member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association … author of numerous publications on strength and conditioning … founded the Physical Rehabilitation program for Intercollegiate Athletics for Men in 1971 … currently associate professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Education at UT … also the Supervisor of the Physical Rehab program in the Men's Athletics Department.

To view this year's women's inductees, click here.