The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Dillard, Whittier to be inducted into San Antonio ISD Athletic Hall of Fame
08.07.2018 | Football, Women's Basketball
The induction ceremony will take place Saturday, August 25 from 4-6:30 p.m. CT at the Alamo Convocation Center.
Former University of Texas standouts Tai Dillard (women's basketball) and Julius Whittier (football) have been selected for induction into the San Antonio ISD Athletic Hall of Fame, Class of 2018.
The induction ceremony will take place Saturday, August 25 from 4-6:30 p.m. CT at the Alamo Convocation Center in San Antonio. Tickets are available for $25 and may be purchased online.
Dillard and Whittier are part of a seven-member class that also includes Fennis Dembo (men's basketball), Delo Dyer (volleyball), Darryl Grant (football), Clifford Johnson (baseball), and David Vela (football).
Established in 2014, the SAISD Athletic Hall of Fame honors alumni who have made a positive impact in sports, either through excellent athletic achievements or excellent athletic program contributions. In addition to outstanding athleticism, inductees were chosen for their distinction and excellence to the District by their conduct both on and off the field, or court, of competition.
Dillard was a four-year letterwinner for the UT women's basketball team from 1999-03, helping the Longhorns to a 92-42 (.687) record and four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, including a trip to the NCAA Final Four in her senior season. In her final campaign with the Longhorns, she started 34 games and helped Texas to a 29-6 tally and a Big 12 Conference Championship. She was a two-time Big 12 All-Academic honoree.
As a pro, Dillard played for the WNBA's San Antonio Silver Stars from 2003-05, appearing in 57 games. She briefly played in the National Women's Basketball League for the Houston Stealth in 2004 and gained more experience overseas while playing in the Israeli Premier Basketball League for the Macabbi Tel Kabir from 2004-05.
Dillard has been an assistant coach at the collegiate level since the 2007-08 season with stops at UTSA, USC, Ole Miss and she currently is beginning her fifth season at Houston.
Dillard, a native of San Antonio, Texas, received her bachelor's degree in kinesiology in 2003.
Whittier, who lettered from 1970-72, was UT's first black letterwinner in football. He played offensive tackle and tight end throughout his career, and was a member of UT's 1970 National Championship Team as an offensive tackle. He moved to tight end for his senior season in 1972 and helped the Longhorns to a No. 3 finish in the AP poll, a 10-1 record and a Cotton Bowl win over Alabama.
Inducted into the Longhorns Hall of Honor in 2013, Whittier was a member of three consecutive Southwest Conference Championship teams. He went on to earn a degree from the LBJ School of Public Affairs in 1976 and completed his law degree. He became a pathfinder for African-Americans and a game-changer in Texas Athletics history.