China Spring ISD has gained state recognition recently for the football team winning back-to-back state championships and the baseball team securing the state title, but China Spring has been recognizing the outstanding performance of student-athletes and athletic staff since 2019. Steve May joined the China Spring Athletic Booster Club in 2018. After visiting numerous schools throughout the state with his kids’ athletic teams, May noticed many schools having a wall of honor, or a dedicated space to celebrate their athletes.
In 2019, May led the China Spring Athletic Booster Club in implementing an Athletics Hall of Fame at China Spring, welcoming the first round of inductees. “China Spring has a rich athletic history and we should honor those that made an impact,” says May.
The China Spring Athletics Hall of Fame inducts a class each year. The process of selecting a class starts with the Athletic Booster Club sending a public call for nominations via their social media channels. A committee reviews all received nominations. This review looks at nominees’ resume, statistics and sports awards. The committee ultimately selects six to eight individuals who will be recognized at the upcoming banquet.
The goal of the hall of fame is to, “Honor the student-athletes that do something exceptional. That can be setting records, winning state championships, or any number of other things,” notes May. Nominees include student-athletes, coaches, and anyone who has made a positive impact on China Spring athletics. Student-athletes are eligible five years after graduation, if they have played at least two years on varsity. Inductees to the hall of fame will be featured on a Wall of Honor in the new competition gym at China Spring.
The China Spring Athletics Hall of Fame welcomes the next class of inductees on Saturday, August 12, 2023. Tickets are already sold out.
The China Spring Athletic Booster Club is responsible for supporting China Spring student-athletes. Through parent and community participation, the booster club raises funds for student scholarships and athletic facilities. May encourages parents and community members to get involved. “The booster club tries to focus on giving back in a way that benefits all student-athletes. The best thing parents and community members can do is get involved and volunteer at different sporting events to support our student-athletes,” says May. For information about the China Spring Athletics Hall of Fame or getting involved with the booster club, contact Steve May directly at gocscougars@gmail.com.
China Spring Athletics Hall of Fame Members:
Class of 2019: Shawn Bell, Coach Jim Bird, Jared Clements, Mike Hicks, Jimmy Holcomb, Coach Randy Leasley, Sorrel Richman Peterson, Jessica Hanna Sifers
Class of 2020: Shelli Balch Smith, Ryan Boutwell, Dr. Eric Wieser, Karlyn Meyers Wilkes, Coach James Limmer, Terry Nightingale, Coach Ronnie Cawthon
Class of 2022: Coach Teresa Durham, Coach Jimmie Carpenter, Coach Billy Dyer, Linda Beatty, Kyal Meyers, Dustin Eskew, Gilby Beckham, Kelly Lloyd Sparkman
Newest Inductees Class of 2023: Corey Beckham, Devon Hunt, Shannon Barr Gonzalez, Coach Brad Talbert, Nate Self and Larry Weikel
Note: There was no Class of 2021 due to Covid