Call of Athletics Hall of Honor Nominations!

Austin College and the Alumni "A" Athletic Association are now accepting nominations for the 2026 Athletics Hall of Honor and Coach Joe Spencer Award for Meritorious Service and Lifetime Achievement in Coaching! 

For a nominee to be considered for the Class of 2026, all nominations must be received no later than April 15, 2025. Nominations for those candidates not selected will be retained for future consideration for at least three years, and automatically roll over. Resubmission of nominations within this timeframe is not necessary.  

The nominator should submit the following: 

1. A completed nomination form (required), which can be found linked below. 
2. One or more additional letters of support detailing the nominee's qualifications and accomplishments (optional but highly recommended). Note that two nomination forms from separate nominators for the same athlete or coach are the equivalent of a letter of support. 
3. Any additional information that would be helpful to the Hall of Honor Voting Committee in making its selection (optional but highly recommended). Examples: Newspaper clippings, old programs, personal observations, etc. Our goal is to have a broad base of distinguished former athletes, representing the many programs the College now sponsors. Former Austin College coaches, managers, trainers, or ardent supporters are also eligible for selection as "honorary" members of the Hall of Honor. The Board also has the option of selecting one honorary recipient if it feels compelled to act on a nomination. The criteria for the Hall of Honor award is stated broadly and appears on the award plaque as follows: 

The athletes and coaches honored here possess,
in addition to outstanding ability in a sport or sports,
the qualification of sportsmanship, character, and integrity,
and are those who have brought great distinction
to (themselves) and Austin College.  

To be considered for the Hall of Honor, nominees should be submitted based on the following criteria: 

1. At least five years must have passed since the nominee attended Austin College. 
2. A nominee must be an Austin College graduate and have participated in athletics for a minimum of two years (unless extenuating circumstances can be provided). 
3. A nominee should have been recognized for accomplishments while at Austin College:   
4. If the nominee's Austin College sport was part of a conference, the nominee should have received post-season recognition (All-Conference, All-American, etc.) 
   • If the nominee's sport was not part of a conference, the nominee should have received recognition from Austin College and/or their teammates. This could include having received any post-season awards, been selected team captain, etc.  
   • A nominee may also be considered on the basis of the number of years as a starter and/or the nominee's contributions to a successful team record. 
5. One slot on the Hall of Honor inductee list should be reserved for an alumnus or alumna who attended 40 or more years ago. If possible, a few candidates who meet this qualification should be identified for inclusion on the ballot. The board has the option to forgo this reserved slot if suitable candidates have not been identified. 

The Coach Joe Spencer Award for Meritorious Service and Lifetime Achievement in Coaching is a lifetime award, and is given to a coach who has had an association with the College in some way and who possesses consistent evidence of a successful career in the coaching profession. While competitive records can be considered for this award, related meritorious service, the success of former players, longevity, and other personal achievements will be considered as the board seeks to honor someone who is truly outstanding in the coaching profession. 

Qualifications for the Joe Spencer Award include: 

1. A nominee must have been affiliated with Austin College Athletics. 
2. A nominee should have been recognized for coaching/athletic administration accomplishments during his/her career. 
3. The nominee must have spent part of their career actively coaching, but is not required to have retired from coaching. This award is intended to reflect lifetime achievement in coaching/athletic administration. 

For both the Hall of Honor and the Joe Spencer Award, the following also apply to all nominees: 

1. Athletic or coaching/athletic administration prowess should take precedence over life experiences. 
2. Reputation should be a factor in overall consideration. 
3. Nominee's induction and subsequent recognition would have a positive impact on the College. 
4. Stewardship and support of Austin College should have minimal consideration. 

You may submit your nomination information for either or both awards by filling out the online nomination Form. If you have any questions about these awards, please feel free to contact David Norman at 903.813.2499.