Austin College Announces Hall of Honor and Joe Spencer Award Recipients

SHERMAN, Texas – The Austin College Athletics A-Board has announced this year's seven inductees into the Kangaroo Athletics Hall of Honor, as well as this year's Coach Joe Spencer Award for Meritorious Service and Lifetime Achievement in Coaching recipient.

Included in this year's Hall of Honor class are Mark Burtner '72, Tresy Ross Capelle '04, Kenneth Hillyard '94, John Leonard '76, Keith Powell '76, Chris Sanders '95, and John Womack '93. David Norman, a 1983 graduate of Austin College and the current athletics director for the Kangaroos, has been honored as the 2016 recipient of the Coach Joe Spencer Award for Meritorious Service and Lifetime Achievement in Coaching. 

"Each of this year's honorees is tremendously deserving of this prestigious recognition," said A-Board president Blake Hyde. "Austin College athletics has a long history of producing outstanding individuals both in sports and in life, and all eight of our recipients this year reflect those qualities. The most difficult task we face as members of the A-Board is determining our Hall of Honor and Coach Joe Spencer honorees, and this year's class shows just how strong Kangaroo athletics are, and will continue to be into the future."

Burtner was a three-year letter winner for the Kangaroo football program, earning NAIA All-America honors in 1971. He also earned NAIA All-District 8 honors, and was All-Texas in 1970 and 1971 while also serving as team captain in 1971.

Capelle was a four-year letter winner for the Kangaroo women's soccer team and was named the ASC Offensive Player of the Year in each of her four seasons. She was a two-time Gene Day Award winner as Austin College's top female student-athlete, and is the program's all-time leading goal scorer.

Hillyard was a four-year letter winner for the Austin College men's basketball program, earning All-TIAA honors for the 1993-1994 season. He scored 1,319 career points and was the team's Pat Hooks Award winner as the team's most valuable player in 1994.

Leonard was a four-year letter winner with the Kangaroo football team, earning NAIA All-America honors in 1975. The lineman was also an NAIA All-District 8 selection in 1976, and was called one of the program's greatest linemen by College Football Hall of Fame member and former Austin College assistant Bill Snyder.

Powell was a dual sport athlete, lettering in both football and track. He started three years at running back, with 14 career touchdowns. On the track, he set the school record in the 220 yard dash and was the Ron Munden Award winner as the program's MVP in 1976. 

Sanders was a three-year letter winner at running back for the Kangaroo football team, earning TIAA All-Conference honors in 1992, 1993, and 1994. He's third in program history with 2,636 career yards. 

Womack was a four-year letter winner for the Kangaroo football team, earning NAIA All-America honors in 1991 and 1992, as well as being named the TIAA Defensive Player of the Year in 1992. He was also a starter on the 1991 NAIA national playoff team.

Norman was a member of the 1981 NAIA National Champion football team, and has coached football, baseball, and cross country during his time at Austin College. Norman has been on the athletics department staff since 1989, assuming assistant athletics director duties in 1996, being named associate athletics director in 2008, and becoming the athletics director in 2010. He also earned his master's degree from Austin College in 1984, and has served as the chair of the Exercise and Sport Science Department.

All eight individuals will be recognized at the 2016 Austin College Legends Gala, which will be held on Saturday, July 9 on the campus of Austin College. More information will follow about how to register for this event.

Austin College athletic teams participate as a member of the NCAA Division III and the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference.