Texas Tech University Athletics
Gameday Feature: The 2016 Texas Tech Hall of Fame Class
November 05, 2016 | Football
The tapestry that is Texas Tech athletics is woven within nearly a century of memories and moments that collectively make up the tale we all share. It's an ongoing march, a bold drive, to uphold our creed of excellence, as Red Raiders and Lady Raiders each answer their own call within the larger scarlet and black narrative.
That call is something each member of the 2016 Texas Tech Hall of Fame and Hall of Honor class answered as Fearless Champions.
The class includes an All-American catcher, a U.S. Olympian, an All-American Lady Raider guard, All-American safety, a Super Bowl Champion and perhaps the most beloved administrator in Tech athletics history.
Now, their names – Josh Bard, Jonathan Johnson, Jia Perkins, Ted Watts, Wes Welker and Jennie Bailey – will be permanently etched into the Texas Tech story. Bailey, a 28-year football administrator will be inducted into the Tech Hall of Honor while the remainder of the inductees will make up the 2016 Hall of Fame class.
Texas Tech will formally introduce the Hall of Fame and Hall of Honor class Nov. 4 inside the Overton Hotel and Conference Center. The event will be followed by a celebration at Jones AT&T Stadium during the Red Raiders' game against Texas Saturday, Nov. 5.
"This is a great opportunity for Texas Tech fans and the city of Lubbock to embrace and honor these outstanding individuals for their accomplishments wearing the scarlet and black," said Rodney Allison, director of the Double T Varsity Club. "We look forward to honoring this year's class on Nov. 4."
Wes Welker
There's nothing quite like the Hall of Fame call – a moment that solidifies a career for eternity. That's how Welker describes it, as he recalls the day Allison reached out to him at his Florida home. He was in his car when it came, and even for the immensely decorated receiver, this particular recognition ranked among the top moments of his football career.
"Nothing beats being able to play the game," Welker said. "But as far as awards and accomplishments this has to be No. 1. It is just such an honor to be able to be named to a Hall of Fame class at Texas Tech."
Welker was the very last high school recruit taken in his class before joining Mike Leach and the Red Raiders in 2003. He would go on to rewrite the receiving and punt return record books as part of the most prolific offensive attack in the country. His imprint on the South Plains includes 3,069 receiving yards (3rd in program history) and he still stands as the NCAA all-time leader in punt return yards with 1,761 – including an iconic touchdown return against the Aggies in a 2002 victory in College Station.
He went on play 12 seasons in the NFL, earning five Pro Bowl selections and appearing in three Super Bowls.
Joining Welker in the 2017 Hall of Fame class is one of the most decorated guards in Lady Raider history. Jia Perkins enters the Texas Tech Hall of Fame in the top-5 in program history scoring, (1,768 points) and steals (305), and seventh in assists (376). During her iconic career, she helped lead the 2002-03 Lady Raiders to the Elite Eight and was named an honorable mention All-American by the Associated Press.
Also being inducted into the Tech Hall of Fame is one of the most iconic athletes to compete in the scarlet and black. Abilene, Texas native and 800-meter star Jonathan Johnson was crowned Tech's first male national champion in 2004. He went on to finish first at the U.S. Olympic Trials to become Tech's first male Olympian for Team USA in a career that served as the catalyst to Tech's rise to national prominence.
Johnson also helped guide the Red Raider track and field to its first Big 12 team title in school history in 2005. He finished his career as a nine-time All-America, 16-time All-Big 12 runner and won four individual Big 12 outdoor titles in the 800-meter run.
"I hope people will look at me not for my individual achievements, but more for what I did for the team and the program," Johnson said. "Texas Tech gave me the opportunity to compete on the collegiate level. As a young man from West Texas, I had dreams that many would say were unrealistic, but Tech gave me an opportunity to run and to get my college degree and perform at the highest level during my career."
Joining Welker from the Red Raider football team, safety Ted Watts is an All-American and two-time All-Southwest Conference selection. A speedy, hard-hitting defender, Watts is just the second Red Raider defensive back to earn All-America honors after combining for 149 tackles and 19 pass breakups in the final two seasons of his campaign.
Meanwhile, as a cornerstone of the Red Raider baseball team during its rise to national prominence in the 1990s, Josh Bard served as an anchor behind the plate. With Bard anchoring the Red Raiders, Tech won the inaugural Big 12 title in 1997 and advanced to the NCAA Regionals three straight years.
Bard was tabbed as the 1997 Big 12 Freshman of the year before twice earning All-America First Team honors. He is still No. 1 in school history in doubles (73) while ranking second in hits (268), home runs (43), RBI (232) and total bases (478)
Finally, the very heart of the Texas Tech football program and offices for nearly three decades, Jennie Bailey was a warm, joyous friend to countless student-athletes. 'Momma Bailey' as she was affectionately called over the years, she faithfully assisted in myriad of day-to-day operations including recruiting letters, official recruit visits – always with a smile. In 2015, Momma Bailey passed away following a courageous and inspirational battle with cancer. Her spirit remains with the Jennie Bailey 'Be Brave' Lifetime Scholarship Endowment in September 2015.
That call is something each member of the 2016 Texas Tech Hall of Fame and Hall of Honor class answered as Fearless Champions.
The class includes an All-American catcher, a U.S. Olympian, an All-American Lady Raider guard, All-American safety, a Super Bowl Champion and perhaps the most beloved administrator in Tech athletics history.
Now, their names – Josh Bard, Jonathan Johnson, Jia Perkins, Ted Watts, Wes Welker and Jennie Bailey – will be permanently etched into the Texas Tech story. Bailey, a 28-year football administrator will be inducted into the Tech Hall of Honor while the remainder of the inductees will make up the 2016 Hall of Fame class.
Texas Tech will formally introduce the Hall of Fame and Hall of Honor class Nov. 4 inside the Overton Hotel and Conference Center. The event will be followed by a celebration at Jones AT&T Stadium during the Red Raiders' game against Texas Saturday, Nov. 5.
"This is a great opportunity for Texas Tech fans and the city of Lubbock to embrace and honor these outstanding individuals for their accomplishments wearing the scarlet and black," said Rodney Allison, director of the Double T Varsity Club. "We look forward to honoring this year's class on Nov. 4."
Wes Welker
There's nothing quite like the Hall of Fame call – a moment that solidifies a career for eternity. That's how Welker describes it, as he recalls the day Allison reached out to him at his Florida home. He was in his car when it came, and even for the immensely decorated receiver, this particular recognition ranked among the top moments of his football career.
"Nothing beats being able to play the game," Welker said. "But as far as awards and accomplishments this has to be No. 1. It is just such an honor to be able to be named to a Hall of Fame class at Texas Tech."
Welker was the very last high school recruit taken in his class before joining Mike Leach and the Red Raiders in 2003. He would go on to rewrite the receiving and punt return record books as part of the most prolific offensive attack in the country. His imprint on the South Plains includes 3,069 receiving yards (3rd in program history) and he still stands as the NCAA all-time leader in punt return yards with 1,761 – including an iconic touchdown return against the Aggies in a 2002 victory in College Station.
He went on play 12 seasons in the NFL, earning five Pro Bowl selections and appearing in three Super Bowls.
Joining Welker in the 2017 Hall of Fame class is one of the most decorated guards in Lady Raider history. Jia Perkins enters the Texas Tech Hall of Fame in the top-5 in program history scoring, (1,768 points) and steals (305), and seventh in assists (376). During her iconic career, she helped lead the 2002-03 Lady Raiders to the Elite Eight and was named an honorable mention All-American by the Associated Press.
Also being inducted into the Tech Hall of Fame is one of the most iconic athletes to compete in the scarlet and black. Abilene, Texas native and 800-meter star Jonathan Johnson was crowned Tech's first male national champion in 2004. He went on to finish first at the U.S. Olympic Trials to become Tech's first male Olympian for Team USA in a career that served as the catalyst to Tech's rise to national prominence.
Johnson also helped guide the Red Raider track and field to its first Big 12 team title in school history in 2005. He finished his career as a nine-time All-America, 16-time All-Big 12 runner and won four individual Big 12 outdoor titles in the 800-meter run.
"I hope people will look at me not for my individual achievements, but more for what I did for the team and the program," Johnson said. "Texas Tech gave me the opportunity to compete on the collegiate level. As a young man from West Texas, I had dreams that many would say were unrealistic, but Tech gave me an opportunity to run and to get my college degree and perform at the highest level during my career."
Joining Welker from the Red Raider football team, safety Ted Watts is an All-American and two-time All-Southwest Conference selection. A speedy, hard-hitting defender, Watts is just the second Red Raider defensive back to earn All-America honors after combining for 149 tackles and 19 pass breakups in the final two seasons of his campaign.
Meanwhile, as a cornerstone of the Red Raider baseball team during its rise to national prominence in the 1990s, Josh Bard served as an anchor behind the plate. With Bard anchoring the Red Raiders, Tech won the inaugural Big 12 title in 1997 and advanced to the NCAA Regionals three straight years.
Bard was tabbed as the 1997 Big 12 Freshman of the year before twice earning All-America First Team honors. He is still No. 1 in school history in doubles (73) while ranking second in hits (268), home runs (43), RBI (232) and total bases (478)
Finally, the very heart of the Texas Tech football program and offices for nearly three decades, Jennie Bailey was a warm, joyous friend to countless student-athletes. 'Momma Bailey' as she was affectionately called over the years, she faithfully assisted in myriad of day-to-day operations including recruiting letters, official recruit visits – always with a smile. In 2015, Momma Bailey passed away following a courageous and inspirational battle with cancer. Her spirit remains with the Jennie Bailey 'Be Brave' Lifetime Scholarship Endowment in September 2015.
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