Established in 2004, the Hall of Honor recognizes the men and women who, for decades, built the proud legacy of Snyder Athletics that we wish to honor and preserve for the sake of future Tigers. From 1915 when basketball was the only athletic program to the first football teams in the 1920s to today– when our athletic teams include football, basketball, volleyball, baseball, softball, golf, tennis, track, cross country, powerlifting, and soccer – individual athletes, coaches and teams have created a reputation of playing hard and challenging all competitors. The Hall of Honor provides a lasting tribute to the athletes, the coaches, and the special supporters and fans who have built and supported Snyder’s traditions.
Jerry Owen
Jerry Owen attended all 12 years of school in Snyder, graduating in 1965. As a sophomore, he captained the JV football team and was the starting pitcher for the varsity baseball team. By his junior year, Jerry became the starting center for the varsity football team and continued as the starting pitcher for the baseball team.
During his senior year, Jerry was again the starting center on the football team, and in the spring of 1965, he helped lead his baseball team to the state tournament as the ace pitcher. Though they fell short in a 1-0 loss to Alvin High School, Jerry faced off against none other than future Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan, who led Alvin to victory.
After graduating from Snyder High School, Jerry attended South Plains College on a full scholarship, where he was the starting pitcher for the Texans and was named all-conference pitcher in 1967.
Lifetime Achievement Award: Kim (Bear) Owen
Kim Owen, affectionately known as "Bear," graduated from Post High School in 1972, where he participated in football, basketball, track, and choir. He attended Texas Tech University for one semester before joining the Air Force, where he served for four years.
After his military service, Bear worked in the oil fields until an opportunity arose for him at Snyder ISD. He began working as an aide, where he became the athletes' biggest fan and supporter, a role that transitioned into teaching a small engine class at Snyder High School.
While attending a booster club meeting, Bear was volunteered to film Snyder varsity football games. Over the years, he filmed more than 200 games, working alongside five head football coaches. In addition, Bear drove cheerleaders to games, took tickets for various sporting events, and drove a special education route bus — a role he still enjoys today.
Ricky Vaughn
Ricky Vaughn, a 1984 SHS graduate, competed in football, track and field, and participated in the band. During his senior year, Ricky earned honorable mention all-district in football, became the district champion and school record holder in discus, and was named the Male Track Athlete of the Year.
Ricky went on to compete in track and field at Angelo State University, where he became a two-time Lone Star Conference champion and a three-time all-American in the hammer and discus throws. He continued his athletic endeavors post-graduation at Ashland University and was ranked in the Top 10 in the USA for five consecutive years in the hammer throw. In 1992, Ricky competed at the U.S. Olympic Trials in the hammer throw and represented the South Team in the U.S. Olympic Festival in 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, and 1994.
Ricky coached track and field at the collegiate level for 22 years, working at Ashland University, UTEP, LSU, and UT Pan American. He coached over 70 all-Americans, 10 national champions, and one Olympian in the 1996 Atlanta games.
Randy Courtney
Randy Courtney is a 1978 graduate of SHS, where he competed in basketball and track. He earned all-district honors in basketball during his junior and senior years and was named to several all-tournament teams. In his senior year, Randy excelled in track, becoming the district and regional champion, and finishing as the state runner-up in the high jump. His outstanding performance earned him the title of Male Track Athlete of the Year.
Randy continued his athletic career at South Plains College and Angelo State University, competing in both basketball and track. In 1980, he was crowned the Western Athletic Conference Champion in the high jump, and in 1981, he claimed the Lone Star Conference high jump title.
As a coach, Randy found success in girls' basketball at various West Texas high schools. He led 13 district championship teams and three regional championship teams, with his teams making three state Final Four appearances in 1989, 1991, and 1994. His 1994 team finished as state runner-up. Randy was named Coach of the Year by the Abilene Reporter-News in both 1989 and 1994. While coaching at Mescalero Apache School in New Mexico, Randy’s teams were state runner-up in 2019 and state champions in 2020.