TVCC press release
Four new members have been selected to become the 2014 class for the Cardinal Hall of Fame at Trinity Valley Community College.
“We are very excited about the inductees selected (for the hall of fame) this year,” said Benny Rogers, sports information officer and chairman of the hall of fame selection committee. “All four played vital roles in contributing to the success and tradition on which our athletic programs are built.
“It will be an honor to have them back on campus and recognize them for their contributions.”
The hall of fame’s seventh induction class is scheduled to be inducted on Saturday, Oct. 18, at 11 a.m. Tickets for the induction luncheon are $10 and will be available at the door of the Student Union Building ballroom.
Inductees this year are:
Thalamus McGhee – Men’s Basketball (1993-95)
At 6 -9, McGhee was more than a big man on campus. He was a giant on the court for the Cardinals in helping them to their first Region XIV title and national tournament appearance in 13 years in 1995.
In the Cardinals’ 30-win season that year, he averaged 14.0 points and 9.9 rebounds a game and shot 58 percent from the floor, which earned him all-region honors. In a 44-point performance, he hit 19-of-21 shots. He also had a game in which he scored 30 points and grabbed 20 rebounds.
As a freshman, he averaged 13.0 points and 9.5 rebounds.
He continued his playing career at the University of Alabama, starting 20 of 29 games as a junior and 29 of 31 as a senior.
McGhee also played several seasons in international pro leagues.
He becomes the second member from the 1995 Cardinals to be inducted into the Cardinal Hall of Fame, joining Tyrone Foster (2010).
John Owens – Football (1949-50)
It didn’t take Owens long to make an impact for the Cardinals. As a freshman, he became the quarterback and also punted and helped them gain a share of the conference championship. They finished second his sophomore season.
Owens led the conference in punting both seasons.
Moving on, he attended East Texas State University, where he played quarterback and defensive back. He was also the punter, setting a school record for an average that stood for 13 years and for total yardage that was not eclipsed until 1979.
In his first season at ETSU, the Lions won the Lone Star Conference and went on a 19-game winning streak, including at 33-0 win over Tennessee Tech in the Tangerine Bowl. The entire 1952 ETSU team was inducted in the college’s hall of fame in 2002.
Owens, who died Sept. 8, 2004, coached for 23 years, including a one-year stint for the Cardinals in 1955 and on the high school level at Troup, Wills Point, Canton, Fruitvale and Garland. Upon retiring from coaching, he became a Church of Christ minister.
He becomes the second member from the 1949 Cardinals to be inducted into the Cardinal Hall of Fame, joining Carl Andress (2013).
Scott Tyner – Football (1990-91)
When it came to punting, Tyner was the real deal. The Cardinals won a conference championship his sophomore season and he earned All-America honors with a 43.0-yard average, which ranked second in the NJCAA.
Tyner led the conference in punting two seasons and earned all-conference honors.
He continued to let his leg do his talking at Oklahoma State University. As a junior, he averaged 41.8 yards on 77 punts, which was the second most in school history. As a senior, he averaged 43.3 yards on 75 punts.
Tyner, who was twice named All-Big 8 Conference, played one season with the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL in 1994.
As a high school coach, he compiled a 31-15 record at Tenaha, which included three playoff appearances and a 10-4 season in 2007. He also had back-to-back 9-3 playoff seasons at Elysian Fields.
Tyner is beginning his ninth year as superintendent at Tenaha.
He is the first member of the 1990-91 Cardinals to be inducted into the Cardinal Hall of Fame.
Eddie Valdez – Football (1965-66)
Valdez was a passing quarterback when being a passing quarterback wasn’t cool like it is today. As a sophomore in 1966, he had a record-setting season that saw him pass for 1,854 yards and 33 touchdowns and lead the Cardinals to a conference championship and a win in the Junior Rose Bowl. The Cardinals were named JC-Grid Wire national champions.
In the 21st annual Junior Rose Bowl – a 40-13 win against Pasadena — in front of a crowd of 40,045, Valdez completed 20-of-28 passes for 334 yards and six touchdowns. He broke five Junior Rose Bowl records for completions (28), yards (334), total yards (411) and longest touchdown pass (75).
He was named to the NJCAA-All America team.
As a freshman, Valdez played defensive back, helping the Cardinals to a conference championship and earning All-America honors.
In his two seasons, the Cardinals were 20-2, won two conference titles and made two Junior Rose Bowl appearances.
He went on to play one season at SMU, rushing 23 times in one game.
Valdez is the fourth member of the 1965 Cardinals to be inducted into the Cardinal Hall of Fame, joining Coach Bob Baccarini (2008), Margene Adkins (2008) and Linzy Cole (2010).