The “H” association in Hallsville, Texas

The “H” Association was founded in 1933 at Hallsville High School by Ben Pannell. Pannell was the athletic coach and Hallsville High School principal. He initiated the Association with these three objectives:

1. All lettermen are to meet on the Saturday night before Easter of each year for a banquet and rundown on the past athletic season. The purpose is to renew old friendships and to meet present day athletes.
2. Strive to help the school athletic program.
3. Always try to remember athletes of the past.

In 1963 an H association board of trustees was formed. Hulon Blalock, Joel Dorsey, Winnifred Haggard, William Lawrence, Bill Dick Parker, Elgin Poole, Willie Steven, D.M Summers, Pres Young and Edd Young were elected to the board. Edd Young was elected as chairman and remained chairman till his death on January 2, 2002. Harrison County Commissioner, James Greer was elected to take his place as chairman in 2002.

In 1963 the board started the H Association Hall of Fame. After determining a crteria for inductees, Bill Dick Parker, Joel Dorsey, and Neal Henigan were chosen as the 1963 indutees, In the preceding years, the following former athletes from Hallsville have been inducted into the Hall of Fame: 1964, Ross “Larry” Parker, Perry “Peck” Bunt, Barney Oliver; 1965, Clayton “Shag” Coon, Hulon Blalock, Edd Young; 1966, Clyde Kinsy, Murray Know, Brad Horner; 1967, Dick Hays; 1968, James Greer; 1969, Votto Gaddis, Ed Ferges, Corky Ford; 1970. Gene Palmer, Randle Walker; 1971, Mike Buchanan, Lindsey Roberts; 1972, Rueben Bussey, Bobby Price, Avery Downing; 1973, Maurice Jones; 1974, Coach Ben Pannel, Roy Green, Bobby Hunt, Stanley Lawrence; 1975, James Brack, Bobby Mowrey, Jerry Malone; 1976, Pres Young, Rex Scroggins, Dick Ford; 1977, Robert Knight; 1979, Jackie Walker, Gregg McNeal; 1980, Windy Haggard, Syd Keasler, Zell Roberts, Wilber Ingram; 1981, Kenny Rowe, Martin Luther King Jr, Danny Malone; 1982, Jimmy Killion, Gene Grammer; 1983, David Powell, Jerry Bunt; 1984, Doug Floyd, Ken Jones; 1985, Mike Trice, Scooter Taylor; 1986, Brian Koechel, Bryon Lawrence; 1987, Donald Taylor; 1988, Jimmie Tallant; 1989, Tommy Roberts; 1990, Chris Shafer, Larry Gideon; 1991, Randy Clark, Clifford Shaw; 1992, Jimmy Lynn Grimes, Ricky Lawrence; 1993, Linty Ingram; 1995, Jeff Brownlee, Ron Gideon; 1996, John Martin; 1997, Rob Floyd; 1998, Steve Green, Patrick Gill; 1999, J.B. Rodgers; 2000, Les Langley; 2001, Rodney Flake; 2002, Donnie Muckleroy

The annual H Association banquet is held the Saturday before Easter each year H Association members and Hallsville Lettermen from all over the area attend this annual banquet. Each year at this banquet, the new inductee or inductees are announced.

Also, a tradition that was started in 1950 takes place at the banquet. The athlete of the year (who is chosen by the Hallsville coaches) is announced.

Source: Wikipedia