Calallen's Phil Danaher, Refugio's Toya Jones on ballot for Texas Sports Hall of Fame

Quinton Martinez, Corpus Christi Caller Times
·1 min read
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Calallen's Phil Danaher and Refugio's Toya Jones are two of 32 nominees for the 2023 class of the Texas Sports Hall of Fame, announced Wednesday.

Danaher, the recently retired longtime head football coach at Calallen, is the winningest coach in Texas high school football history (490-118-4).

Calallen won 422 games under Danaher including 24 district championships and two state championship game appearances.

Voting runs between July 15 and Aug. 15 and a maximum of 10 finalists will be selected for induction in the 2023 class. The induction banquet is scheduled for April 15, 2023 in Waco.

The committee announced 20 finalists to the primary ballot and an additional 12 on the veterans ballot.

Calallen's head football coach Phil Danaher speaks to his team after the team's loss against Fredricksburg, Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, in Jourdanton. Fredricksburg won, 14-10.
Calallen's head football coach Phil Danaher speaks to his team after the team's loss against Fredricksburg, Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, in Jourdanton. Fredricksburg won, 14-10.

Jones, a track and field and football star at Refugio and later Texas A&M, holds the record with 14 gold medals at the UIL State Track meet, part of 17 medals overall.

The other primary ballot nominees include: Randy Allen (coach), Charles Austin (track and field), "Stone Cold" Steve Austin (professional wrestling), Joe Beaver (rodeo), Josh Beckett (baseball), Jamaal Charles (football), Mark Cuban (administration), Becky Hammon (basketball), Priest Holmes (football), Wes Kittley (coach), Colt McCoy (football), Adrian Peterson (football), Chris Plonsky (administration), Jordan Spieth (golf), Matthew Stafford (football), Wes Welker (football), Christa Williams (softball), Ann Wolfe (boxing).

On this day in 1995, Refugio's Toya Jones capped his illustrious high school track career with his 17th medal at the UIL State Track & Field Championships
On this day in 1995, Refugio's Toya Jones capped his illustrious high school track career with his 17th medal at the UIL State Track & Field Championships

Veterans nominees include: Robert Brazile (football), Jose Cruz (baseball), Chris Gilbert (football), Carlette Guidry-White (track and field), Johnny "Lam" Jones (track and field/football), Charmayne Jones (rodeo), Dave Marr (golf), Keith Moreland (baseball), Billy Nicks (football), Doug Russell (swimming), Ira Terrell (basketball), Wilson Whitley (football).

Quinton Martinez covers all things sports in South Texas. Support local coverage like this by checking out our subscription options and special offers at Caller.com/subscribe  

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Phil Danaher, Toya Jones on ballot for Texas Sports Hall of Fame