Wes Kittley, Wes Welker make ballot for Texas Sports Hall of Fame
Texas Tech track and field coach Wes Kittley and former Red Raiders football player Wes Welker are among 32 candidates on the ballot for the Texas Sports Hall of Fame's class of 2023.
Kittley and Welker are in a group of 20 on the primary ballot, from which six to eight typically are selected for induction. An additional 12 are the on veterans ballot, from which two are commonly selected. Those on the veterans ballot are 20 years removed from competition.
Kittley's teams at Abilene Christian University won 29 national championships. In 22 seasons at Tech, his teams won one NCAA title and nine Big 12 championships.
During a 12-year NFL career, Welker made the Pro Bowl five times and twice was named All-Pro. He caught 903 passes for 9,924 yards and 50 touchdowns. He ranks 20th in NFL history in all-purpose yards with 16,797.
The ballot was formulated during Tuesday's annual meeting of the Texas Sports Hall of Fame selection committee, a 28-member panel made up largely of sportswriters and electronic media across the state.
The voting period is from July 15 through Aug. 15 and includes a fan vote component. Those interested in becoming a voting member must register before July 15 at tshof.org. Annual memberships are $35 for an individual or $70 for a family.
The induction banquet is scheduled April 15 in Waco, where the Texas Sports Hall of Fame museum is located.
TEXAS SPORTS HALL OF FAME
CLASS OF 2023 BALLOT
Primary ballot
Randy Allen, football coach; Charles Austin, track and field; Steve Austin, professional wrestling; Joe Beaver, rodeo; Josh Beckett, baseball; Jamaal Charles, football; Mark Cuban, basketball administration; Phil Danaher, football coach; Becky Hammon, basketball; Priest Holmes, football; Toya Jones, track and field/football; Wes Kittley, track and field coach; Colt McCoy, football; Adrian Peterson, football; Chris Plonsky, sports administration; Jordan Spieth, golf; Matthew Stafford, football; Wes Welker, football; Christa Williams, softball; Ann Wolfe, boxing.
Veterans ballot
Robert Brazile, football; Jose Cruz, baseball; Chris Gilbert, football; Carlette Guidry-White, track and field; Johnny "Lam" Jones, track and field/football; Charmayne James, rodeo; Dave Marr, golf; Keith Moreland, baseball; Billy Nicks, football coach; Doug Russell, swimming; Ira Terrell, basketball; Wilson Whitley, football.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Wes Kittley, Wes Welker make ballot for Texas Sports Hall of Fame
