Lion Athletics unveils 2025 Hall of Fame class
East Texas A&M University has announced the 2025 Lion Athletics Hall of Fame class, with the induction ceremony set for October 11.
This year’s athletics Hall of Fame class features former football players Duane Hicks and Jimmy Hooker as well as volleyball player Amy Wallace Adkins, soccer player Meagan Lasley, and the 2014-15 men’s track and field team.
The Hall of Honor welcomes longtime Lion athletics supporters KarolAnn and Chris Delong, while this year’s Bobby Fox Award winner is Mike Miller.
2025 HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY
The 2025 Lion Athletics Hall of Fame Ceremony is set for 11 a.m. inside the Conference Rooms at the Rayburn Student Center on October 11, prior to the Lion Football team playing Lamar
Tickets for the ceremony can now be purchased HERE. All past inductees interested in attending the ceremony should contact Assistant Athletics Director of Development Tre’ Johnson ([email protected]) for more information.
Membership in the Lion Athletics Hall of Fame is limited to former Lion student-athletes, coaches, and athletics administrators. Student-athletes must have completed their eligibility 10 years prior to nomination, while coaches and administrators must have served East Texas A&M for a minimum of five years. In addition, the nominee must be a person of such integrity, character, and sportsmanship that the East Texas A&M family will be inspired by the recognition.
The full list of honorees in the Lion Athletics Hall of Fame can be found HERE.
2025 LION ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CLASS
Amy Wallace Adkins, Volleyball, 2001-03
- Wallace Adkins competed in three seasons for the Lion volleyball program, putting together one of the best careers in a Lion uniform. She was a three-time first team all-conference selection, while being named to First Team All-Region in 2001, 2001 Lone Star Conference Most Valuable Player, two-time academic all-conference, and ranks second all-time in program history for kills, hitting percentage, points, and sixth all-time in blocks.
Duane Hicks, Football, 1990-93
- Hicks was a two-time All-American for the Lions, including being a third team All-American in 1993 as a defensive tackle. He was also a three-time all-conference selection, being named to the first team twice. He ranks ninth all-time in sack yardage, 10th all-time in assisted tackles, 11th all-time in total tackles, and 12th all-time in sacks in Lion Football history.
Jimmy Hooker, Football, 1988-91
- Hooker played four seasons for the Lion Football program and was a two-time all-conference, being named to the first team in 1991 as a strong safety. He still ranks 10th all-time in program history in interceptions and 40th all-time in total tackles.
Meagan Lasley, Soccer, 2008-09
- One of the all-time greats in Lion Soccer history, Lasley was a third team All-American in 2008, while earning all-region honors three times, including being named to the first team twice. She was the 2009 Lone Star Conference Offensive Player of the Year and was named to the all-conference team three times, including twice on the first team. To this day, she ranks second all-time in points, second in goals, fourth in assists, while during the 2008 season, she totaled 52 points, which is an all-time single season record and her 20 goals that season are second in program history.
2014-15 Men’s Track and Field Team
- The 2014-15 men’s track and field team was the first team in school history to win both the Lone Star Conference Indoor Championship and the Outdoor Championship in school history. As a team, the Lions finished eighth at the indoor NCAA National Championships and 12th at the outdoor National Championships.
- Individually, three individuals earned first team All-America honors at the indoor National Championships: Tyler Rambo (shot put), Matt Rich (heptathlon), and DeVontae Steele (triple jump) as well as the 4×400 meter relay team (Ravi Dubose, Soren Gnoss, Dexter Lee, John David Rollins).
- At the Outdoor National Championships, six individuals earned first team All-America honors: Masoud Moghaddam (hammer throw), Hendrik Nungess (javelin and decathlon), DJ Richardson (400m hurdles), Luis Romero (800m), DeVontae Steele (triple jump) and the 4×400 meter relay team of Soren Gnoss, Dexter Lee, John David Rollins, and Eric Williams.
2025 HALL OF HONOR INDUCTEES
KarolAnn and Chris DeLong
- Longtime supporters of Lion Athletics, KarolAnn and Chris DeLong are officially inducted into the Lion Athletics Hall of Honor. A former basketball player at East Texas A&M, Chris has been connected with the university ever since. He and KarolAnn met in Commerce and rank among the top contributors to Lion Athletics. Along with their financial contributions to the university, the DeLongs have also served on several leadership councils at the university including the Lion Athletics Champions Circle, the School of Business Leadership Council and being active members of the East Texas A&M Alumni Association.
2025 BOBBY FOX AWARD WINNER
Mike Miller
- Miller arrived at East Texas A&M as a sophomore and played three seasons on the men’s basketball team, including being a member of the 1984 Lone Star Conference Championship team. He began his illustrious coaching career at Cistercian Prep in Irving in 1987 and has had stops at various colleges and professional teams including being a head coach at Texas State, winning two Southland championships and earning SLC Coach of the Year honors in 1997, and Eastern Illinois, as well as serving as the interim head coach of the New York Knicks in 2019-20. He is currently an assistant coach for the Sacramento Kings.