Texas Tech reveals eight inductees for Hall of Fame, Hall of Honor 2022 class

Seven letterwinners will join the Texas Tech Hall of Fame, while former director of football operations Tommy McVay will be inducted into the Hall of Honor to make up the 2022 class, the athletics department announced Tuesday.

The induction ceremony is set for Oct. 28.

The Hall of Fame is decided on by former Texas Tech athletes, coaches, trainers and managers who were letterwinners during their time in the athletic department. Rodney Allison, executive director of the Double T Varsity Club, said this year's ballot ‒ which can typically include up to 100 or so initial nominations ‒ wound up with 10 on the men's ballot and four on the women's.

"This is my ninth year," Allison said, "and this is probably as solid of a class as we've had."

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McVay, who died in August 2020, spent more than 20 years at Tech. He handled administrative duties under five head coaches. According to a release, McVay convinced then-coach Mike Leach to sign the under-recruited Wes Welker.

"Calling Tommy McVay's wife, Chele, is one I think I'll always remember," Allison said, "because she obviously still misses Tommy and it's a really neat story, but that really was a neat phone call to make to her."

This year's Hall of Fame inductees include Kevin Curtis (football), Oscar Floren (golf), Patience Knight (track and field), Gene Knolle (basketball), Chris Martin (volleyball), Matt Miller (baseball) and Norman Reuther (basketball).

A Coronado grad, Curtis twice earned all-America honors and was a three-time all-Big 12 defensive back from 1998-2001. The safety finished his Tech career with 430 tackles — which is third all-time in the program.

Floren was a three-time all-American and two-time all-Big 12 selection from 2004-07. His 72.2 average score ranks fourth in Red Raiders history.

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Knight, a throws standout from 2006-09, overcame cancer to become one of the program's greats. A four-time Big 12 champion in the event, Knight is responsible for the best three indoor shot-put distances in Tech history. She achieved all-America status three times.

Allison said that the inclusion of athletes like Knight who competed at Texas Tech less than 15 years ago is the way the Hall of Fame is trending. This is due in part to the recent successes other athletic programs like track & field, volleyball and women's tennis have experienced.

"You're starting to see some of the younger folks get in as a result of great programs that we've got here," Allison said. "Not just football, basketball or baseball. You're starting to see some of those other sports."

Knolle was the first Black student-athlete to compete for Tech's men's basketball program. He is the Red Raiders' leader in career scoring average at 21.5 points per game over two seasons from 1969-71.

Martin led Tech volleyball to the NCAA tournament second round twice during her career from 1988-91. She is the only Red Raider in the top 10 for career blocks and digs. She also ranks fourth in all-time aces.

After graduating from Monterey, Miller went on to become an ace for the Red Raiders from 1994-96. The left-hander has the second most wins all-time (25) and fourth-best winning percentage (.781) in program history. The two-time all-American is also in the top 10 for starts, innings pitched, strikeouts and complete games.

Ruether, a member of the men's basketball team from 1964-66, is regarded as "one of the most beloved figures" in the program. He was an all-Southwest Conference performer as a senior and twice earned all-district honors. He averaged 16.6 points and 8.1 rebounds, good for 13th and 12th, respectively, in Tech history.

Texas Tech Hall of Fame 2022 class

Kevin Curtis (football, 1998-2001)

Oscar Floren (golf, 2004-07)

Patience Knight (track and field, 2006-09)

Gene Knolle (basketball, 1969-71)

Chris Martin (volleyball, 1988-91)

Matt Miller (baseball, 1994-96)

Norman Reuther (basketball, 1964-66)

Texas Tech Hall of Honor 2022 class

Tommy McVay (director of football operations, 1997-2020)

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech athletics announces 2022 Hall of Fame class