Austin College Celebrates Athletics Alumni at Legends Weekend 2016

Mark Burtner, football standout at Austin College, completed a degree in business then a master's degree through the Austin Teacher Program before earning a doctorate in education at New Mexico State University. After 10 years in coaching and education in Texas high schools, he earned a law degree and changed careers. He has practiced law for 31 years, six in private practice and 25 as a prosecutor. Today, he is an assistant county attorney for El Paso County.

Tresy Ross Capelle, a four-year All-Conference honoree in soccer, earned a degree in chemistry and exercise and sport science at Austin College and completed a master's degree in health and movement science at Virginia Commonwealth University in 2009. She served as an assistant soccer coach at Southeastern Louisiana University, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Virginia Military Institute, NCAA Division I schools. She now is a full-time mom and volunteers as a coach at a club near her home.

Kenny Hillyard, a conference leader in basketball and two-time Mason Sportsmanship Award winner, earned his Austin College degree in history and mathematics. He then began a career in banking and finance with JP Morgan Chase as a business system analyst. He has since worked in quality assurance at National City Bank, Whitney Bank and Think Finance. Since 2011, he has worked in application development for PNC Bank.

John Leonard, a Kangaroo football all-district honoree, earned a law degree from The University of Texas in 1980. That year, he began practicing law in Wichita Falls and has been a partner in several firms there. He operated as a solo attorney in his own practice for four years. Since 2007, he has practiced with the firm of Leonard, Key & Key, working in areas including business law, oil and gas probate, and bankruptcy. He twice was named Outstanding Pro Bono Attorney for Wichita County.

Keith Powell, three-year captain of the track team and school record setter in both football and track, earned his Austin College degree in art. Upon graduation, he began a 40-year career in graphic design. He has been self- employed since 1986 and has owned and published Fort Worth Magazine since 1995. He is an active leader in the American Advertising Federation as well as other business organizations.

Chris Sanders, track letterman and three-time All-Conference honoree in football, earned a degree in physical education at Austin College and began his career as a teacher and coach. In 2007, he earned a master's degree in Catholic school leadership and has served as an athletic director; football, soccer, and track coach; teacher; and assistant principal at several schools. In 2015, he was named principal at Saint Pius Catholic School.

John Womack, conference Defensive Player of the Year and two-time football All-American, joined the U.S. Army after graduation, serving as a criminal investigator for more than six years. Upon leaving the Army, he became a federal agent with the U.S. Department of Defense and earned a master's degree in public policy management at Georgetown University. In 2010, John accepted a position with NASA as an investigator assigned to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and was named 2015 Investigator of the Year.

Ross Reedy achieved historic success as the girls basketball coach at Frisco Liberty High School. The team made the school's first appearance in the Texas state tournament, reaching the championship game and finishing as the 5A runner up, with an overall season record of 33-7. Reedy was named the Texas Girls Coaches Association 5A-6A Coach of the Year.

Kirk Thor had a very successful year as head football coach at Mansfield Lake Ridge High School, guiding his team to a 15-1 record and a spot in the Division I 5A championship game, a first for the school. The state runner-up title marked a remarkable turnaround as the team was 0-10 in Thor's first season as coach in 2012.

David Norman was a four-year football letterman at Austin College and was a member of the College's 1981 NAIA national co-champion team. Upon graduating in 1983, he continued at Austin College, earning a master's degree in secondary education in the Austin Teacher Program.

David began his career in the Denison Independent School District, where he spent five years working as head women's track and field coach, assistant varsity football coach, and elementary physical education teacher.

In 1989, David returned to his alma mater as an assistant professor in what is now the Department of Exercise & Sport Science. He also was named head baseball coach and an assistant football coach, serving as offensive coordinator under head coach Mel Tjeerdsma. In 1994, David was named head football coach and assistant athletic director at Austin College, working under Bob Mason and Tim Millerick. In 2006, David stepped down from coaching and devoted himself to work as associate athletic director. In 2010, he was named director of athletics and chair of the Department of Exercise & Sport Science, positions he continues to hold today. David stepped back into coaching briefly in 2013, leading the women's cross country program in its first season.

David has received many honors for his work at the College, including the Social Sciences Division Award for Service, the Outstanding Sponsor Award for his work with Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and the Outstanding Greek Sponsor Award for service to Phi Sigma Alpha. In 2013, he received the Cindy Curtis Bean Service to Alumni Award.