MPISD Athletic Hall of Fame 2024

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  COURTESY PHOTOS

  COURTESY PHOTOS

MPISD announces the 2024 Athletic Hall of Fame class: Crystal Jackson- James, Huey Keeney, Renese Miller-Brown, Don Newsom, Landy Roberts, and Robin Roberts.

Each inductee will be recognized prior to kick off of the football game against Whitehouse on Friday, September 27 starting at 6:50 p.m. A private, pre-game ceremony will also be held for the honorees, their families, and close friends. The inductees will serve as honorary captains and participate in the pregame coin toss. In recognition of their selections, each inductee will wear a commemorative gold jacket during the pre-game ceremony. Portraits of each inductee will later be displayed in the hallway of the Willie Williams Gymnasium.

Crystal Jackson-James graduated from Mount Pleasant High School in 2001 where she excelled in basketball and was also a member of National Honor Society and Student Council. She earned 1st team All-District honors for three years along with Defensive Player of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year, and District MVP honors. She was also voted Most Athletic.

“Athletics taught me structure, organization and how to overcome adversity,” she said. “I learned there is always value in a well-intended effort, no matter the outcome. And the real purpose of forgiveness is to free yourself from the suffering and irritation that could hold you back. It taught me hard work, passion, empathy, understanding and love on and off the court.”

After graduation, she attended Sam Houston State University on a full scholarship and played basketball for the Bearkats. At Sam Houston, she earned a B.S. in Kinesiology with a minor in Business. Her greatest memory from her time at SHSU was seeing her mom in the stands all four years. “Rain, sleet, or snow I knew when I ran out of the tunnel she would be there,” said Jackson- James.

Jackson-James continued, “The Hall of Fame is a huge honor that I never expected to receive. I am truly humbled and grateful. I hope student athletes will see what hard work can achieve. I want them to know there is no excuse for anyone to work harder than them. Failure will come but your reaction to failure will determine your future. And to always be determined because determination is doing what needs to be done even when you DON’T feel like doing it.”

She concluded with two quotes: “You will face many defeats in life, but never let yourself be defeated,” by Maya Angelou, and “A good coach can change a GAME, but a great coach can change a LIFE.”

Jackson-James and her husband, Travis, live in Mount Pleasant with their two daughters, fourteen-yearold Kennedy Jones and twelve-yearold Tiana James. She teaches and coaches basketball for Mount Pleasant ISD.

Huey C. Keeney, Sr. graduated from Mount Pleasant High School in 1945 where he played football and ran track for the Tigers.

After graduation, Keeney went on to play football and run track at the Rice Institute, now known as Rice University. His family says that he spoke of his favorite memories from his time a Rice including (1) making first team All-Southwest Conference in 1946 as a sophomore running back in the same backfield as SMU’s running back, Doak Walker, and UT’s quarterback, Bobby Layne, and making Honorable Mention All-American the same year; (2) being named Most Valuable Player in the 1948 Blue-Gray All-Star game; (3) scoring the only touchdown in Rice’s 8-0 victory over Tennessee in the 1947 Orange Bowl, which is the only time that Rice ever played in the Orange Bowl; (4) his two punts for the record books in 1946 that traveled over 100 yards including one against Tulane in New Orleans that traveled a total of 140 yards, whichisstilldebatedtoday as being either the longest or second longest punt in either college or professional football history, and the other punt two weeks later against Texas A&M at Kyle Field that made the stadium go completely silent.

His son, Randy, said, “My father attended Rice Institute on a full athletic scholarship, entering the school as a 16-year-old freshman and graduating four years later as a 20-year-old. Without a football scholarship, my father would not have been able to attend college. He came to Houston by himself on the train as a 16-year-old with all that he then owned, being the clothes on his back and $5.00 in his pocket. He left Rice Institute four years later with a college degree, a wife, a professional football contract and a high-paying job waiting for him in Houston whenever he wanted to stop playing football. He made all-Southwest Conference as a freshman, sophomore and junior, but not as a senior because he was hurt for half of his senior season when he was projected pre-season to be All-American. He played football as a 17- and 18-year-old against 24 and 25-year-old men who had come back from WWII to complete their college education, some of whom are now in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Many of those men had been in hand-to-hand combat. Those WWII veterans who were on his team mentored him, as did the Rice coaches, and made him into a man by the time he graduated from Rice as a 20-year-old. My father learned character, perseverance and endurance from them. He also learned that an education, a family and a relationship with God were far more important in life than a football career. He fell back on his education after suffering the football injury that ended his pro football career before playing his first pro regular season football game. Football prepared him for a successful career in business and prepared him for success in life. Football in 1945 and 1946 taught my father to sink or swim. Imagine today being a 17- or 18-year-old high school junior or senior with no material possessions whatsoever to your name successfully playing football head-to-head against 24- and 25-year-olds who are already pro football material and future Pro Football Hall of Famers, and that will tell you everything you need to know about my father’s determination, grit and character to succeed in football and in life, whether as an honest businessman, a loving husband, a devoted father or a caring and reliable friend.”

After graduation from Rice in 1949, Keeney was drafted by the New York Bulldogs as the 34th player in the NFL draft. After the draft, the Cleveland Browns traded four players to New York to acquire him. He made the Cleveland Browns team as its starting safety and punter but retired from football the week before the beginning of the 1949 football season due to a severe ankle injury sustained in football practice during that week. He retired as a business executive in 1999 from Coastal Transport.

“If my father was alive today, he would be so pleased and honored to receive the honor,” said Randy. “He would consider the honor to be equal to the honor of being inducted in 1974 into the Rice Athletic Hall of Fame, and it would please him to know that there are people still in Mount Pleasant over 75 years after his high school graduation who still remember him and his football playing days. As much as he loved playing football for Mt. Pleasant High School, he loved his high school friendships and the Mount Pleasant community even more. He always enjoyed returning to Mt. Pleasant to visit. To the students, my father would say to get your high school education and, if possible, a higher education because an education can never be taken away from you. Athletics are fun to play, but athletics can take a toll on your body. An education can shape your mind for life. My father would also say that more important than an education is character and integrity. If you have an education, but you do not have character or integrity, then you will find at the end of life that you never had anything that mattered. Last, my father would say to be kind to everybody and to not think of yourself as better than anybody else or worse than anybody else. Treat everybody as you would want to be treated, including those who do not treat you kindly. Give of yourself to others and help those who cannot help themselves. My father’s word was his bond, and he would say today to every Mt. Pleasant High School student that your word should also be your bond. However, to the football players, he would also say that you always give it 100% in football practices, and you play football games giving it 100% for four quarters (remember, he played a full four quarters both ways as a running back and a safety) with clean hits and no cheap shots (meaning no personal fouls). He would always remind his sons and others that he coached later in life, whether in sports, business or anything else, “to always maintain your composure.” He would also say to let your clean hits, and not your mouth, do the talking on the football field. Nobody will ever make it into the Mt. Pleasant Athletic Hall of Fame because they could trash talk better than anybody else on the team. Stay humble. Stay true to yourself and your values. And, stay true to the Mt. Pleasant Tigers!”

Huey Keeney passed away in 2017 leaving behind two sons, Huey C. Keeney, Jr., and Randolph V. Keeney, five grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Renese Miller-Brown graduated from Mount Pleasant High School in 1997 as a star runner for the Lady Tiger track team. She also served as class secretary and was a Texas Scholar.

For the Lady Tigers, Miller-Brown won the District Championship in the 300-meter hurdles and qualified for regionals three times in the 300 meter hurdles, and the 4x400 and 4x100 relays. She placed 3rd in the regional meet and qualified for state in the 4 x100 relay in 1997. Her greatest memory while participating in athletics at MPHS was her senior year, running her personal best time and setting a meet record in Gladewater in the 300-meter hurdles.

“I believe that being an active participant in athletics helped to develop my character and skills that are necessary for life,” said Miller-Brown. “It taught me self-motivation, respect, discipline, accountability, dependability, and integrity. It helped to mold me into being a faithful Christian women, wife, nurse, and mother. Athletics showed me how to persevere, never give up, and always strive to do my best!”

After graduation, Miller-Brown attended Northeast Texas Community College, receiving an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN), and the UT Health Science Center in Houston earning a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN) in 2010.

“I am truly honored to receive such a recognition for my athletic achievements in track and field,” she said. “I now know that my hard work, dedication, and commitment to the sport did not go unnoticed. Additionally, I am very thrilled to be a permanent part of the history of Mount Pleasant High School. I would tell other student athletes to always keep GOD as the center of your life. Next, I would inform them that nothing comes easy and that they must work hard, remain humble, disciplined, and committed to their goals. In addition, I would tell them to carry yourself with pride and respect because you never know who’s looking up to you. Lastly, I would want them to know that you can do anything you set your mind to.”

Miller-Brown continued, “I would like to give a special thanks to Coach David Whiting, head coach for the girls’ varsity track team. He continuously encouraged us, pushed us, fussed at us, and prayed with us. We were truly ‘his girls!’ I want to thank Coach Cathy Lawrence (girls sports coach) and Coach Jesse Morris (hurdler coach) for their guidance and skills they instilled in me at P.E. Wallace Jr. High. I am grateful they always pushed me to be my best. Also, I would like to give recognition to all my Lady Tiger teammates because we were a sisterhood. We worked hard to reach a common goal of winning all the track meets and we were always there for each other through the wins and the losses. Again, I would like to thank MPHS for this great honor.”

Miller-Brown has been a Registered Nurse for 23 years. She has been married to her husband, Cornell, for 11 years and has a daughter, Brooklyn, and a son, Braxton.

Don Newsome graduated from Mount Pleasant High School in 1960 where he played football and baseball for the Tigers. He was active in Key Club, was named the school’s outstanding athlete, served as president of the Student Council, and was voted Male All-School Favorite.

In football, he served as a Captain, was a starter for two years, and played both offense and defense as a senior. In addition, that year, the Tigers won the district championship and advanced all the way to the state semifinals. He earned All-District recognition as a junior and a senior and was recognized as an All-State Guard in football his senior year.

In baseball, he was the starting catcher for three years and served as a Captain. He earned All-District recognition as a junior and senior.

“I have great memories of events and people my entire career in high school, but my senior year was special,” said Newsome. “The football, basketball, baseball and track teams were not expected to win district in any sport. We won district in all four sports. We had less than 100 in our senior class, most of the boys were involved in athletics, and, like me, most participated in more than one sport. We were and remain a close-knit class and supported each other on the athletic field, in the classroom and in the community.”

After graduation, Newsome attended Austin College in Sherman, Texas, where he started and lettered four years in baseball, three years in football, and one year in track. His senior year in college, he served as Captain of the baseball team that played in the national playoffs and he was voted the school’s outstanding athlete.

Following his freshman year in college, he had the opportunity to play professional baseball with the Washington Senators, now the Texas Rangers, organization but decided to continue his college career as a student athlete. Newsome graduated from Austin College in 1965 with a Bachelor of Arts in history, physical education and math with a teaching certificate. He went on to earn a Master of Arts in history in 1971 and has earned both principal and superintendent certificates and has completed doctoral work.

“Athletics turned a small, average ability kid into a person who learned the importance of showing up every day with a positive attitude; giving a 100 percent effort; get back up when you are knocked down; be the best teammate possible; and utilize the talents you have in a positive manner to make every situation and group better than it was when you started or joined,” said Newsome. “I am humbled to be recognized knowing the talents and contributions of others I played with and supported during my career at MPHS. My message to a current and future student athlete is that your high school experience is a once in a lifetime event; enjoy the experience, but make sure your contribution is positive and makes the experience for those coming after you better than it was when you got there.”

Newsome concluded, “My dad was a teacher at the junior high and high school for nearly forty years. During most of that time he was the bus driver for extracurricular events. He looked forward to going to school every day. My brother and I felt the same. I loved the educational experience as well as the extracurricular experience that I received in the MPISD.

To receive this honor from an organization that meant so much and was the livelihood for the Newsome family is ‘icing on the cake’ for me.”

Newsome has been married to his wife, Carol Campbell Newsome, for 62 years and lives in Lake Kiowa, Texas. They have two sons, Tim Newsom and wife Judy, and Dr. Thomas Newsom and wife Victoria, and 5 grandchildren.

Landy Roberts graduated from Mount Pleasant High School in 1972 and was a stand-out athlete in in Tiger Tennis. As a junior, Roberts was the doubles district champion and qualified for the regional tennis tournament where he and his partner placed 2nd. As a senior, he was the back-to-back doubles district champion, went on to win the regional tournament, and earned the 4A state silver medal with his partner, brother Robin Roberts. His greatest memory from MPHS athletics was competing in the UIL State tennis tournament.

“MPHS started the process of learning to compete in a sport that would last a lifetime,” said Roberts. “Competing against some top-level amateur players from all over the state helped me to learn what it takes to become a better athlete, person and how to survive in the competitive world.”

After graduation, Roberts attended Trinity Valley College in Athens, TX on a tennis scholarship. He went on to graduate from East Texas State University with a B.S. in Business in 1976. His greatest memory from collegiate tennis is competing with players from all over the country, giving him a different perspective on the different levels of play.

“The Mt. Pleasant Tiger Athletic Hall of Fame honor is truly one I never saw coming,” said Roberts. “MPHS will be at the top of my memories. All of my classmates from 1972, teachers and coaches helped to encourage me. This is truly an honor I will cherish forever. Go TIGERS!”

Roberts continued, “To the upcoming student athletes, pick a sport that you have a passion for, learn how to play the sport, then practice, set goals and enjoy the game and relationships you make. Always remember, it is just a game. I would like to thank my parents, Earl and Rose Roberts, my family, along with William Love, High School tennis coach, for their support throughout my high school years.”

Roberts is retired from owning MP Insulation, operated from 1976 until 2023. He and his wife, Cindy Welch Roberts, MPHS Class of 1973, have been married for 49 years and currently reside in Longview. They have a son, Ryan Burke Roberts, and a daughter, Rachel Roberts French, along with three grandchildren.

Robin Roberts graduated from Mount Pleasant High School in 1974 where he played basketball and tennis for the Tigers. He won the district championship in tennis four times, was the regional champion three times, and made three trips to Austin for the state tennis tournament, earning two state silver medals. His favorite athletic memory was playing the district final in Sulphur Springs as a senior. “All classes at Sulphur springs were canceled and brought out to watch,” said Roberts. “It was a good feeling to have another school show that kind of respect.”

After graduation, Roberts attended Grayson College on a tennis scholarship winning the conference championship in doubles in 1975 and the conference championship in men’s singles in 1976.

Roberts said, “As a young athlete I learned you only got the result you wanted through practice. Working harder and longer than your opponent is the most important ingredient to success.”

“It has been 50 years since my days at MPHS,” he continued. “I can’t tell you how touched I felt when the phone call came that I was being recognized for my contribution to MPHS athletics. I never expected this. If you are currently playing sports for MPHS, I wish you all the luck in your chosen field. When these years are over be sure you look back with pride in yourself and your teammates at your achievements. Even though I no longer remember the names and faces of those that I beat, I’ll never forget the losses. I sincerely thank the members of Mt. Pleasant High who voted to honor me by inducting me into this hall of honor and congratulate those who came before me and are walking in with me.”

Roberts founded TEN Construction in 1992. He has four daughters, Melanie, Michelle, Monica, and Ashley, and four grandchildren. He is retired and lives in Rockwall.