The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Texas Athletics announces 2019 Hall of Honor Class
07.11.2019 | Baseball, Football, Women's Golf, Women's Swimming and Diving, Women's Tennis, T-Association, Track & Field / Cross Country
Thirteen former University of Texas student-athletes and one former UT System administrator are set to be inducted this August.
• Purchase tickets for 2019 Hall of Honor ceremony
AUSTIN, Texas -- Thirteen former University of Texas student-athletes and one former UT System administrator will be inducted this September into the Texas Athletics Hall of Honor. The induction banquet for the 2019 class is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 30. The ceremony starts at 6 p.m. in the Zlotnik Ballroom at the AT&T Hotel and Conference Center on the UT campus (1900 University Ave.).
Tickets for this year's Hall of Honor banquet go on sale Monday, July 15 at TexasSports.com/tickets. Individual tickets to the ceremony are $75 per person, and interested patrons may sponsor a table of 10 for $1,000.
2019 Texas Athletics Hall of Honor Inductees
The 63rd Men's Hall of Honor class includes Derrick Johnson (Football, 2001-04), a two-time consensus first-team All-American who won the Nagurski Trophy and Butkus Award; Seth Johnston (Baseball, 2002-05), a first-team All-American shortstop who led the Longhorns to four-straight College World Series appearances including NCAA titles in 2002 and 2005; Brian Orakpo (Football, 2005-08), a unanimous first-team All-American who won the Nagurski Trophy, Lombardi Award and Hendricks Award; Brian Robison (Football/Track and Field, 2003-06), a two-time All-American and three-time Big 12 Conference champion in track and field who also was a three-year starter at defensive end and helped Texas win the 2005 National Championship in football; and Bryant Westbrook (Football, 1993-96), a second-team All-American and two-time first-team all-conference defensive back who led the Longhorns to three conference championships. Vintage selections Ragan Gennusa (Football, 1966-67) and Andre Robertson (Baseball, 1977-79) in addition to Special Selection Don Evans round out the men's class.
The 20th Women's Hall of Honor class includes Denise LaKeisha Backus (Track and Field, 1996-99), a three-time individual National Champion and 11-time All-American who led Texas to four national team titles; Sandy (Sureephong) Blanton (Tennis, 1995-99), a four-time All-American and two-time Big 12 Conference Player of the Year who paced the Longhorns to three Top-5 NCAA team finishes; Marshevet (Hooker) Flintall (Track and Field, 2004-06), a four-time individual NCAA champion and nine-time All-American who paced the Longhorns to a pair of national team titles; Nancy (Hager) Hale (Golf, 1971-75), the first woman to be awarded an athletic scholarship at UT, and the 1975 Texas AIAW individual champion who led Texas to a fourth-place team finish at the 1975 AIAW National Championship; Patty (Sabo) Karsten (Swimming and Diving, 1983-87), an NCAA individual champion and 15-time All-American who led Texas to four-consecutive NCAA team titles; and Danielle Viglione (Basketball, 1993-97), a three-time all-conference selection who helped UT win the 1996 Southwest Conference title and is still the school record holder in career three-pointers made.
The new members of the Hall of Honor will receive a special salute during the Texas Football game vs. Louisiana Tech on Saturday, Aug. 31.
2019 Hall of Honor Inductee Bios
Denise LaKeisha Backus, Track and Field (1996-99)
Pronunciation: luh-KEE-shuh BACK-us
A key cog in one of the most dominant NCAA Championship track & field runs in history, Denise LaKeisha Backus was an elite sprinter who helped Texas win four national team titles (1998 & 1999 indoor and outdoor) and finish second three other times during her four seasons with the Longhorns from 1996-99. The worst a UT team finished during her time on the Forty Acres was third at the 1996 NCAA indoor meet. The Longhorns also won seven conference crowns during her tenure (five Big 12, two Southwest Conference). Individually, Backus was an 11-time All-American, three-time National Champion and won nine conference titles. Her 22.59 clocking in the 200 meters (1998) still puts her fourth on the UT all-time performers list in that event, while her 11.11 in the 100 meters in 1998 still ranks her seventh-best in school history. Her name is listed on three of the 10 fastest 4x100-meter relays on UT record, including the school-record clocking of 42.76 in 1998. Her indoor time of 7.30 in the 60 meters (1999) ranks her 10th-best in school history. Backus was the 1998 NCAA Indoor 200m Champion and ran legs on Texas' national title winning 4x100m relay teams outdoors in 1998 and '99. The 1998 squad set a school-record time en route to dethroning LSU's six-time NCAA Champion 4x100m relay squad. Backus and the Horns finished second to LSU in the 4x100m relay in 1996 and 1997. She nearly pulled off a double-victory at the 1998 NCAA Indoor Championships when in addition to her 200m title, she was involved in a photo finish in the 60m but came up just short, finishing third. She finished second in the 60m at the 1999 NCAA Indoor Championships and also scored again in the 200m (7th) that year. Backus posted top-eight finishes in the 100m at the 1997 (8th) and 1998 (6th) NCAA Outdoor Championships and took seventh in the 200m at the 1998 NCAA Outdoor meet. Backus swept the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relays at both the 1998 and 1999 Big 12 Outdoor Championships. She won the 100m and 4x100m relay as a freshman at the final Southwest Conference Championship in 1996. A native of Long Beach, Calif., Backus graduated with a degree in Youth & Community Studies in the Spring of 2000.
Sandy (Sureephong) Blanton, Tennis (1995-99)
Pronunciation: sir-ee-PHONG
A four-time All-American and two-time Big 12 Conference Player of the Year, Sandy (Sureephong) Blanton helped lead the Longhorns to three Top-5 NCAA team finishes and four-consecutive conference regular season and tournament championships. Texas posted a 90-25 overall dual-match record and finished in the Top 10 of the final ITA national rankings in each of her four seasons in Austin. In addition, the Longhorns registered a perfect 40-0 dual-match record in conference play during her career. A native of Haines City, Fla., Blanton tallied a 25-6 overall singles mark (16-3 dual-match) and led Texas to a 22-6 dual-match record (7-0 Southwest Conference) and the quarterfinals of the NCAA Team Championship (tied for fifth) as a freshman in 1995-96. She was named the 1996 ITA Southwest Region Rookie of the Year. Following her freshman year, Blanton represented the United States in the 1996 ITF Maureen Connolly Cup and defeated Great Britain's top player, Lizzie Jeffs, by a score of 6-3, 6-3. Blanton registered a 35-7 overall singles record (24-3 dual-match) and paced the Longhorns to a 24-6 dual-match record (11-0 Big 12) and the semifinals of the NCAA Team Championship (tied for third) in her sophomore season in 1996-97. She earned ITA All-America honors in doubles with partner Laura Berendt, as the duo advanced to the quarterfinals in the NCAA Doubles Championships. Blanton also shared Big 12 Conference Player of the Year honors with teammate Cristina Moros and earned All-Big 12 first-team honors in both singles and doubles. As a junior in 1997-98, Blanton tallied a 26-10 overall singles mark (17-5 dual-match) and led Texas to a 23-6 dual-match record (11-0 Big 12) and the quarterfinals of the NCAA Team Championship (tied for fifth). She ended the season ranked No. 5 nationally in singles and No. 4 in doubles with partner Cristina Moros, earning ITA All-America honors in both singles and doubles. Blanton claimed Big 12 Conference Player of the Year accolades and garnered All-Big 12 first-team honors in both singles and doubles. In her senior season in 1998-99, she battled through injuries that forced her to miss the entire fall season and a portion of the spring season and registered 16-8 overall singles mark (12-6 dual-match). She paced Texas to a 21-7 dual-match record (11-0 Big 12) and the Round of 32 at the NCAA Team Championship, and the Longhorns ranked No. 9 in the final ITA national poll. Blanton advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Singles Championships, earning ITA All-America honors in singles. She also claimed All-Big 12 first-team honors for the third consecutive season in both singles and doubles. Blanton completed her collegiate career with a 102-31 overall singles mark, including a 69-17 record in dual-match action. She received the Texas Athletics' Patricia and Ralph Thomas Endowed Presidential Scholarship in the spring of 1999 and earned a degree in Sport Management in December 1999. Following graduation, she spent two years playing professionally and reached as high as No. 158 in the WTA rankings in doubles and No. 368 in singles. After her professional playing career, she worked as an assistant coach for the women's tennis program at LSU (2001-05). In 2006, Blanton was one of six players named to the Big 12 Conference's 10th Anniversary team in both singles and doubles. She and her husband, Ricky Blanton, currently own and operate an insurance agency in Baton Rouge, La. The couple have three children, Gavin, Claire and Sienna.
Don Evans, Special Selection
Joining a precedent set with the induction of its second class over six decades ago, the Honorable Don Evans becomes only the third chairman of The University of Texas Board of Regents to be inducted into the Longhorn Hall of Honor. Evans joins Lutcher Stark, who was inducted in 1958 as one of the first eight honorees, and Frank Erwin, who was inducted in 1978. He is being inducted as a university administrator who fills the Hall's charge of being one who has "Brought Credit and Renown" to The University of Texas. Prior to his service as the nation's 34th Secretary of Commerce during the first term of the presidency of George W. Bush, Evans was appointed to the UT Board of Regents by then Governor Bush in 1995. As has been his nature, Evans soon followed in the footsteps of Stark and Erwin. Both were builders who focused on the needs of the greater UT system, and they also saw the value of a strong athletics program at the main campus in Austin. Stark was chairman of the Regents when Texas Memorial Stadium was built in 1924. Erwin was chairman when the stadium's west side upper deck was added in 1971. During his time as a regent, Evans was part of an amazing renaissance in Longhorn Athletics. In 1996, Texas Memorial Stadium underwent a massive remodeling, including the addition of the east side upper deck and suites and the renaming as Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in honor of the legendary former coach. But Evans' most powerful contribution came during his tenure as Chairman of the Board of Regents. During his time from 1997 until he resigned in 2001 and joined the Cabinet of President Bush, he oversaw the beginning of what has been termed perhaps the greatest decade of Longhorn Athletics. That included the hiring of football coach Mack Brown, the beginning of the Texas career of baseball coach Augie Garrido, and the hiring of men's basketball coach Rick Barnes. From 2000-09 under these three coaches, Texas won three National Championships and all three sports made the NCAA postseason every year. The Longhorns also finished in the Top 10 in football seven times and won seven bowl games, appeared in the College World Series six times, reached the 2003 Final Four and advanced to the "Sweet 16" of the NCAA men's basketball tournament five times. A native of Houston, Evans received a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from UT in 1969. He earned an MBA from the McCombs School of Business in 1973. Evans was at Texas during the glory era of Longhorn football under Darrell Royal and was involved in many campus activities. In 1975, he moved to Midland and started in the oil business working on an oil rig. Ten years later, he was running the company. His close friendship with George W. Bush led him to the White House as a member of the Cabinet and a close adviser to the President. Near the end of the first term of President Bush, Evans chose to step away and return to Texas, and his many energy and business interests. In 2002 he was named Distinguished Alumnus by the Texas Exes, and he has been named to the Red McCombs School of Business Hall of Fame. During his career, he has been a good-will ambassador as an American patriot and diplomat, but he has also never forgotten his roots. Through all his travels and success, he and his family have continued a passion for The University and the Longhorns. Evans' Texas friends are legion, and his unbending loyalty to UT has never wavered.
Marshevet (Hooker) Flintall, Track and Field (2004-06)
Pronunciation: MARSH-uh-vet
A three-time NCAA individual champion, one NCAA relay champion and nine-time All-American, Marshevet (Hooker) Flintall excelled both on the track and in the field for the Longhorns from 2004-06. As a team, she helped lead Texas to the 2005 NCAA Outdoor Championship and the 2006 NCAA indoor title during her time on the Forty Acres. She won the 100m, was second in the long jump and anchored the winning 4x100m relay in helping Texas claim the 2005 NCAA Outdoor team title. In the Winter of 2006, Flintall won the 60m and long jump and finished fourth in the 200m as UT brought home the 2006 NCAA Indoor Championship. She earned 2006 USTFCCCA Regional Athlete of the Year honors. Flintall finished third in the 100m to help Texas to a fourth-place NCAA outdoor finish in 2004. At the 2005 NCAA Indoor Championship, she recorded a second-place finish in the long jump and finished fifth in the 60m to help the Horns to a Top-10 team finish. Flintall still holds the UT indoor (22-0 ¼) and outdoor (21-11 ¾) school records in the long jump and is one of the Longhorns' all-time top-six ranked performers in the 200m indoors (22.86/4th), 60m indoors (7.20/6th) and 100m outdoors. She ran the anchor leg on two of the six fastest 4x100m relays squads on Longhorn record, including the third-fastest time ever in 2006. A 10-time Big 12 Individual Champion and three-time relay winner, Flintall led Texas to three Big 12 team titles (2004 & 2006 Outdoor/2006 Indoor). She won Big 12 outdoor titles in the 100m, 200m, long jump and 4x100m in 2005 and 2006. Flintall was the 2005 Big 12 Outdoor Performer of the Year. The 2006 Big 12 Indoor Performer of the Year, she earned victories in the 60m and 200m at the conference indoor meet that year and also won the long jump at the 2005 conference indoor meet. Flintall was a part of the Horns victorious 4x100m squad as a freshman at the 2004 Big 12 Outdoor Championship. A native of San Antonio, Texas and younger sister of fellow Longhorn Hall of Honor member Destinee Hooker, she was a member of Team USA at the 2008 Olympic Games, finishing fifth in the 200m in Beijing that year. She finished second in the 100m at the 2011 USATF Championships and was a member of the gold-medal winning 4x100m relay at the IAAF World Championships that year.
Ragan Gennusa, Football (1966-67)
Pronunciation: JUH-noose-uh
It was his hands and his speed that earned Ragan Gennusa a football scholarship to Texas. And it would be those same hands that would dictate a career path, but in an entirely different way than some might have imagined. Gennusa came to Texas in 1964 after playing quarterback for the famed Clarence "Buckshot" Underwood in Port Arthur, where he had earned all-state honors in both football and track. But a broken nose and injuries to both knees threatened his career before it got started as he played on the Yearlings, the UT freshman team in the years before freshmen were eligible to play for the varsity. More than a year later, he was back on the varsity roster. In fact, he was WAY back. Gennusa was listed as the ninth-string quarterback in 1965. He wound up on the "scout" team playing on the defense against the starting offense. Soon he was back on the injured list. Then, he caught a break—only not the kind that involved bones. Longhorn coach Darrell Royal, who was known as a coach who employed an offense which heavily featured the running game, decided to throw the ball and he put in some plays with a split receiver. And Gennusa jumped at the chance to try out a new position. By 1966, Gennusa was the starting split end and was the team's leading receiver in both 1966 and 1967—although Royal's commitment to pass didn't turn UT into an aerial circus. But football dreams gave way to other things as his college career was near the end. Life is, after all, what happens when you are busy planning other things. The Longhorn letterman's real gift turned out to be as an artist. After receiving his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1968, Gennusa went on to become one of America's foremost painters of wildlife and western art. His works hang in private and corporate collections nationwide, including at the Briscoe Western Art Museum, the New York Life Insurance offices in New York City and the national office of The Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America. Among his many awards, Gennusa has been honored by the Texas Legislature as "The Texas State Artist" and has been presented the Texas Historical Foundation's award for his outstanding achievement in historic preservation. His commissioned works have sold for as much as six figures, and he has helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for numerous causes including The DKR Research fund for Alzheimer's with paintings he has donated for auction. His paintings also hang in UT dorms and in the offices of the Texas Exes. His life's work has also featured his passion for Texas Longhorns—both in his paintings and as a breed of cattle which he has owned since 1984. Perhaps the most memorable of his creations involving Longhorn cattle came with his alliance with football during the Mack Brown era at Texas. During the rise of Brown's teams to the top of college football, Gennusa began creating a series of three paintings symbolizing the Horns successful ascent which culminated with the BCS National Championship in 2005. The Trilogy series, included "Longhorn Storm," "The Climb to the Top," and "Dawn of a new Longhorn Era." The limited-edition prints were signed by both Mack Brown and Darrell Royal, and originals of the paintings hang in the Texas Athletics offices.
Nancy (Hager) Hale, Golf (1971-75)
A true trailblazer in the sport of golf, Nancy (Hager) Hale was the first woman to be awarded an athletic scholarship at The University of Texas. She competed for the Longhorns from 1971-75 and was a member of the program's first varsity team in 1974-75. The 1975 Texas AIAW individual champion, she won the Texas Invitational – now the Betsy Rawls Invitational – in each of its first two years of its existence. Hale was named her team's Most Valuable Player as a senior in 1974-75, a year in which she won all five tournaments in the spring portion of the schedule. She led the Longhorns to a fourth-place team finish at the AIAW National Championship in 1975 – the program's first varsity season – and placed fifth individually. She is one of only two golfers in program history (Michiko Hattori is the other) to win five tournaments in a single season. Hale was a highly accomplished golfer prior to coming to UT, playing in seven-consecutive USGA Junior Girls Championships from 1964-70. She won three Texas Junior Girls Championships in 1967, 1968 and 1970 and holds the all-time scoring record in the Texas Junior Girls Championship. She was a two-time Dallas City Junior Girls Champion and a medalist at the 1968 USGA Girls Junior Championship. Hale was a semifinalist in the 1969 USGA Women's Amateur and a member of the 1970 USGA Curtis Cup Team. While playing for the Longhorns, she was the runner-up at the 1972 Women's Western Amateur Championship and an alternate for the USGA Curtis Cup Team that same year. She also claimed the 1974 WTGA State Amateur Championship at Austin Country Club. In her final State Amateur appearance in 1977, Hale was a semifinalist. She earned a degree in Interior Design from The University of Texas and resides in her hometown of Dallas.
Derrick Johnson, Football (2001-04)
One of the premier defensive players in Texas Football history who went on to play 13 years in the NFL, Derrick Johnson was the winner of the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (nation's top defensive player) and Butkus Award (nation's top linebacker) as a senior. A two-time consensus first-team All-American (2003-04), he was a two-time finalist and three-time semifinalist for the Butkus Award as well as a finalist for the Bednarik Award (nation's top defensive player), Lombardi Award (nation's top lineman) and Lott Trophy (defensive player of the year) in 2004. He also finished 12th in the 2004 Heisman Trophy balloting and was listed among the 10 finalists for that year's Walter Camp Football Foundation Player of the Year, the only defensive player on both of those groups. A unanimous selection as the 2004 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, he led UT to an 11-1 record with a 38-37 victory over Michigan in the Rose Bowl. He also was selected as the 2004 Big 12 Male Athlete of the Year. From 2001-04, Johnson played in 50 career games (40 starts) during a four-year stretch that saw the Horns win 11 games three times, at least 10 games all four years and post an overall record of 43-8 (27-5 in Big 12). UT won three bowl games, finished in the Top 12 nationally all four years and among the Top 6 three times. Johnson tallied 458 career tackles (No. 3 on UT's career list), 280 solo tackles (No. 4 on UT's career list), 65 TFLs (No. 1 on UT's career list), 10.5 sacks, 39 QB pressures, 30 PBUs (UT record for LBs), nine interceptions (UT record for LBs), 11 forced fumbles (T-No. 3 on UT's career list) and five fumble recoveries. He started all 12 games as a senior and posted 130 tackles (73 solo), 19 TFLs and an NCAA-record nine caused fumbles. As a junior, he started all 13 games and recorded 125 tackles, 20 TFLs, and four interceptions, tying his own UT record for LBs. In 2002, he started all 13 games and registered 120 tackles, 13 TFLs, and four interceptions (UT record for LBs) en route to first-team All-Big 12 honors. As a true freshman in 2001, he played in all 13 games, including two starts. He was selected the Defensive MVP of the Holiday Bowl as a freshman. Johnson earned National Freshman of the Year, first-team Freshman All-America and was the Big 12 co-Defensive Freshman of the Year. Johnson went on to become the 15th overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. He played 13 full seasons in the NFL, all with the Chiefs, before finishing his career in 2018 with the Oakland Raiders. A four-time Pro Bowl selection, he is the Chiefs' all-time leading tackler. For his career, he totaled 194 games (176 starts), 1,279 tackles, 27.5 sacks, 40 QB pressures, 78 passes defended, 23 forced fumbles, 14 interceptions and scored four TDs. A native of Waco, Texas, the Waco High School star was a Parade All-American who once posted 30 tackles in a high school game. He was inducted into the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame in 2015.
Seth Johnston, Baseball (2002-05)
The consummate leader, infielder Seth Johnston helped the Longhorns to four-straight NCAA College World Series appearances from 2002-2005. In 2004, Johnston hit .296 with 16 doubles, three triples and seven homers while driving in a team-high 51 runs. The Boerne, Texas, native was a key part in taking the Longhorns to the College World Series championship that year. After the Horns fell to Cal State Fullerton in the finals, and despite being named to the College World Series All-Tournament team, Johnston left Omaha unsatisfied. The junior was drafted in the seventh round by the Baltimore Orioles, but in lieu of signing, Johnston elected to return for his senior season with eyes on another National Championship. In 2005, his final season at Texas, he delivered. Named team captain by his fellow Longhorns, Johnston started all 72 games for UT, earning first-team All-America honors in a standout senior season. His 115 hits in 2005 are a single-season record at Texas and he led the squad with a .378 batting average, to go along with a team-best 66 RBI on the year. He is the last Texas player to top 100 hits in a year, with 34 of his 115 knocks going for extra bases (20 doubles, five triples and nine home runs). The Horns' shortstop led his team back to Omaha once again that season and set the tone in game one versus Baylor when he hit a two-run blast in the first inning to put Texas ahead. The Longhorns would go on to defeat Florida in two games to win their sixth national title, and Johnston was once again named to the CWS All-Tournament team to close out his final year on the Forty Acres. A two-time All-Big 12 Conference selection, Johnston capped his career year by becoming a fifth-round selection of the San Diego Padres in the 2005 MLB Draft. He would go on to play five seasons in the Padres organization, reaching as high as Triple-A Portland in 2009, before retiring from professional baseball. Johnston graduated from Texas in 2005 with a bachelor's degree in corporate communications and is currently a Senior Vice President with the Lincoln Property Company in Austin. A two-time National Champion, Johnston will always be remembered as the undisputed leader of the 2005 title-winning Texas Longhorns. Seth is active in the community. He has served on the board for CASA Travis County and is a founding member of Community for CASA.
Patty (Sabo) Karsten, Swimming and Diving (1983-87)
Pronunciation: SAY-bow
An NCAA individual champion and 15-time All-American, Patty (Sabo) Karsten helped lead the Longhorns to four-consecutive NCAA team titles from 1984-87. Karsten, who excelled in the distance freestyle and individual medley events, earned four All-America honors as a freshman in 1983-84. She placed third in the 1,650 freestyle, fourth in the 500 freestyle and eighth in the 400 individual medley and was on the 800 free relay that took third at the 1984 NCAA Championship while helping the Longhorns claim the national title. Karsten also won three individual titles (400 individual medley, 500 freestyle, 1,650 freestyle) and was on the winning 800 free relay at the Southwest Conference Championship in her freshman year. As a sophomore in 1984-85, she placed fourth in both the 500 freestyle and the 1,650 freestyle and finished 14th in the 400 individual medley at the national meet to help the Longhorns claim the 1985 NCAA team title. Karsten also won the 1,650 freestyle at the 1985 SWC Championship. In the summer after her sophomore season, she won a gold medal in the 400 freestyle for Team USA at the 1985 World University Games in Kobe, Japan. Karsten garnered five All-America honors, including the individual national title in the 400 individual medley (4:16.58), to lead Texas to the NCAA team title during her junior year in 1985-86. In addition to her individual championship, she placed third in the 1,650 freestyle, fourth in the 500 freestyle and seventh in the 200 butterfly and was on the 800 free relay that took second at the 1986 NCAA meet. Karsten also was named the team's Swimming MVP as a junior. As a senior and team co-captain (with Kara McGrath) in 1986-87, she placed second in both the 400 individual medley and the 1,650 freestyle and fifth in the 500 freestyle at the national meet to pace the Longhorns to the NCAA team championship. Karsten also won three individual titles (1,650 freestyle, 500 freestyle, 400 individual medley) and was on the winning 800 free relay at the 1987 SWC Championship. She shared SWC Championship meet high-point accolades (60 points) with teammate Betsy Mitchell. Karsten earned a bachelor's degree in Journalism from Texas in 1988. A NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship honoree, she received a Master of Science degree in sport management from the University of Massachusetts in 1989. Karsten currently serves as Vice President, Industry Relations at BI WORLDWIDE Events. She and her husband, Joel, reside in Minneapolis, Minn.
Brian Orakpo, Football (2005-08)
Pronunciation: oh-RACK-poh
One of the most dominant and decorated defensive players in UT football history who went on to play 10 years in the NFL, Brian Orakpo won the Nagurski Trophy (nation's top defensive player), Lombardi Award (nation's top lineman) and Hendricks Award (nation's top defensive end) and was a finalist for the Lott Trophy (defensive IMPACT player of the year) as a senior in 2008. He also was a unanimous first-team All-American, the consensus Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and a unanimous first-team All-Big 12 selection. Orakpo was renowned as one of the strongest players in college football and was named the nation's top workout warrior by ESPN with a bench press of 515 lbs., squat of 600 lbs. and power clean of 380 lbs. During his time at Texas, he was part of four bowl victories, including the Rose Bowl over No. 1 USC for the National Championship and Fiesta Bowl over No. 10 Ohio State. During his four years as a letterman, Texas was 45-7 (26-6 in Big 12), won at least 10 games all four years and finished in the Top 10 nationally three times, including a No. 3 ranking in 2008 and the 2005 national title. Orakpo played in 47 career games, starting 21, and posted 132 tackles (93 solo), 22 sacks (T-No. 10 on UT's all-time list), 38 TFL, 62 pressures, six PBU, six forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. During his senior year, he started 12 games, missing the better part of two and a half games due to a knee injury, but still tallied 42 tackles (31 solo) and led the team with 11.5 sacks (sixth NCAA), 19 TFL (t-seventh NCAA), 30 pressures and four forced fumbles. He battled a knee injury for the entire 2007 season, but capped the year by earning Defensive MVP honors at the Holiday Bowl, which was a win over No. 12 Arizona State. That year, he appeared in nine games, starting eight, but missing four, while recording 37 tackles, nine TFL, 5.5 sacks, and 12 pressures. He played in all 13 games in 2006 and recorded 26 tackles, six TFL and 4.5 sacks. Orakpo was selected Defensive Freshman of the Year and first-team Freshman All-America in 2005. He was also named Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year in a year where he registered 27 tackles, four TFL, a half sack and nine pressures. He would go on to become the 13th overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins. Orakpo had a tremendous 10-year NFL career during which he spent six seasons in Washington and the last four with the Tennessee Titans. A four-time Pro Bowl selection, most recently in 2016, he posted 423 tackles, 66 sacks, 31 passes defended, 12 forced fumbles and a defensive touchdown during his career. A native of Houston, Orakpo graduated from UT with a degree in Youth & Community Studies in 2008. Now living in Austin with his family, he is involved in several businesses, most notably drawing national recognition for partnering with former teammate and Longhorn Hall of Honor member Michael Griffin to open a Gigi's Cupcakes shop in Bee Cave, Texas.
Andre Robertson, Baseball (1977-79)
Andre Robertson was a trailblazer for The University of Texas baseball program, becoming the first African American to earn a baseball scholarship at the school when he enrolled in the fall of 1976. He was a standout infielder for three seasons with the Longhorns, lettering each year from 1977-79. After injuries limited him during the first half of his freshman campaign — playing in just 36 of UT's 62 games that season — Robertson went on to hold down the Longhorns' starting second baseman position for his final two seasons in 1978 and 1979. Known best for his spectacular play on defense, Robertson hit .281 (125-of-444) with 74 runs scored, 74 RBI, 15 stolen bases and nine home runs in 146 games over three seasons. During that time, Texas posted a 144-33 (.814) record, including 55 wins in 1979, and 53 in 1977. Robertson shared the team lead in doubles in 1978, and his 50 hits that year were second-best among the Longhorns. In 1979, he helped lead UT to a 55-8 record, the Southwest Conference regular season and tournament titles and a fourth-place finish at the College World Series before being drafted and heading to professional baseball. Robertson was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the fourth round of the 1979 Major League Baseball Draft and traded to the New York Yankees in 1980. Considered to be the best Yankees shortstop since Baseball Hall of Famer Phil Rizzuto, Robertson played five seasons for the Yankees from 1981-85. A 1983 automobile accident and ensuing injuries the following two seasons had a significant impact on his career. As a rookie in 1981, Robertson appeared in Game 4 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He went on to play in 254 big league games, batting .251 for his career with 32 doubles, four triples and five home runs. Robertson played in a career-high 98 games during the 1983 season and finished with 22 RBI and 37 runs scored. His MLB playing days were cut short after the 1985 season, and he finished his career in the minor leagues from 1986-89, last playing in the Texas Rangers organization for the Oklahoma City 89ers. Robertson, who was a multi-sport star at West Orange High School before attending Texas, returned to his hometown of Orange, still resides there and continues to be a visible supporter of Longhorn baseball. After finishing his professional baseball career, Robertson returned to UT and completed his degree in 1992.
Brian Robison, Track and Field / Football (2003-06)
Pronunciation: ROB-eh-son
When it comes to Longhorn two-sport athletes in the modern era, there were few as successful as Brian Robison. He was a track & field All-American who helped the Longhorns to as high as an NCAA third-place team finish, while also being a three-year starter in football, including being a key contributor on the 2005 National Championship team. Robison transitioned his versatility and skill set from The University of Texas into a highly productive 11-year career in the NFL. Vince Young's winning touchdown in the 2005 National Championship Game was memorable, but Robison was a part of the Longhorns' famous defensive surge that halted USC on fourth down and set up Texas' game-winning drive. A few short months later, he finished second in the shot put at the 2006 NCAA Outdoor Championships to help the Longhorns to one of its best-ever track & field finishes and a team trophy (3rd place). A four-year track & field letterman, he won three Big 12 titles and twice earned All-America status during his throwing career for the Longhorns. On the gridiron, he lettered four times from 2003-06 and helped the Longhorns post 10 wins every year, a 44-8 overall record (28-4 in the Big 12) and three bowl wins that included a pair of historic Rose Bowl victories. Texas ranked among the Top 13 nationally in all four of his seasons, including No. 1 in 2005 and No. 4 in 2004. Robison started 36 games in his career, totaling 181 tackles, 42 tackles for loss and 14 sacks. A starter on the 2005 National Championship team, Robison helped the Horns to a perfect 13-0 season and contributed a career-best 58 tackles, team-leading 15 tackles for loss, seven sacks, 10 QB pressures, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He was named honorable mention All-Big 12 by the Associated Press in 2005, one of three times (2004-06) he garnered that distinction in his career. Robison burst onto the scene as a freshman in 2003, tying the school record with four blocked kicks that season. He totaled 38 tackles with four tackles for loss and six QB pressures. In 2004, Robison started all 12 games for the Longhorns' team that beat Michigan to win the Rose Bowl. He totaled 48 tackles with 14 tackles for loss, 18 QB pressures and an interception returned for a touchdown against Missouri. Robison finished his UT career with six blocked kicks, second-most in school history. His success on the football field, though, was rivaled by his accomplishments as a collegiate thrower. Robison garnered All-America recognition in track & field during both the indoor and outdoor seasons in 2006. He was a three-time Big 12 champion, winning the 2005 and 2006 shot put titles outdoors and also the 2006 discus crown. His two titles in 2006 helped the UT men to the Big 12 Outdoor Track & Field Championship. To this day, Robison is the No. 2 performer in the outdoor shot put (68-3.75) and the No. 7 performer in the discus (195-10), as well as ranking No. 7 indoors in the shot put (63-8.25) and weight throw (58-9.25). Robison was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings with the 102nd pick (4th round) of the 2007 Draft. He spent his entire 11-year career with the Vikings, playing in 173 games (103 starts) and totaling 287 tackles, 68 tackles for loss, 60 sacks and 112 QB hits. Robison was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2007 after totaling 26 tackles, eight TFL and 4.5 sacks. During his six-year prime (2011-16), Robision started 95 of 96 games for the Vikings. He is also a professional angler and founded The Brian Robision Reel 'Em In Foundation in 2015 with his wife, Jayme. The foundation was formed to provide financial, emotional and physical support to those in need. The mission is to make a positive impact through partnerships with existing organizations in local communities in Minnesota and Texas. Robison currently lives in the Tomball/Magnolia area outside of Houston where he is participating in professional fishing tournaments and soon will be creating a YouTube video fishing series.
Danielle Viglione, Basketball (1993-97)
Pronunciation: VIG-lee-own
One of the most prolific scorers in program history, Danielle Viglione averaged 15.8 points per game during her Texas career from 1993-97, helping the Longhorns to 77 victories, three NCAA Tournament appearances and a Southwest Conference Championship in 1996. She played in 105 career games with 98 starts. She holds the University of Texas school record for most points in a single game, pouring in 48 against Houston in her freshman season. Viglione also knocked down 11 three-pointers in that game and remains the only player in program history to have recorded double-digit three-pointers in a single game. In her rookie year of 1993-94, she averaged 21.0 points per game and was named the Southwest Conference Freshman of the Year. She is the only player in program history to record multiple 40-point single-game performances. Viglione is the school's all-time career three-pointers made leader with 293 treys in her 105 games on the Forty Acres. She ranks 14th on the school's all-time scoring list with 1,658 career points. She was equally as effective of a scorer from the free-throw line, ranking seventh all-time in school history with an 81.2 percent (259-319) clip from the charity stripe. Viglione was a three-time all-conference selection, earning First-Team All-SWC honors as a freshman in 1993-94. Following her collegiate days, she signed with the WNBA's Sacramento Monarchs, playing one season, before beginning an impressive 10-year professional career playing internationally in Israel, Turkey and Italy. She is a member of the Sacramento Sports Hall of Fame. Viglione graduated from The University of Texas in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology and was a recipient of the prestigious NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship. She is co-owner of the Sacramento Skills Academy, where she teaches and guides more than 4,000 boys and girls in the game of basketball. Viglione resides in her hometown of Sacramento, Calif. She was a decorated high school player, holding 10 California State scoring records and five national high school marks. She broke Cheryl Miller's single-season state scoring record and totaled 3,089 points for her three-year prep career.
Bryant Westbrook, Football (1993-96)
A hard-hitting, lockdown, four-year starter at cornerback, Bryant Westbrook was a key part of a group that led a Longhorn football resurgence in the mid-1990s. The San Diego native and Parade High School All-American helped Texas to three conference championships (two Southwest Conference/one Big 12), including the final SWC and the first-ever Big 12 titles. Westbrook played a role in two games for the ages in UT annals that set up those titles, as in 1995 Texas snapped Texas A&M's 31-game home winning streak to secure the SWC Championship and in 1996 the Longhorns upset two-time defending National Champion and No. 3-ranked Nebraska to claim the 1996 Big 12 crown. Prior to 1994, Texas had finished the year ranked in the Top-25 nationally just once in the previous 10 seasons. Westbrook was a major contributor as the Longhorns recorded three-straight Top-25 finishes from 1994-96, including earning berths in two "New Year's Day" bowl games, the Sugar Bowl and Fiesta Bowl. A two-time first-team all-conference selection (1995 SWC and 1996 Big 12) and second-team All-American in 1996, Westbrook was a team captain as a senior. In 43 career games (36 starts), he posted 183 tackles (145 solo), nine interceptions, 34 pass breakups, six caused fumbles, one fumble recovery, 10 tackles for loss, a sack and blocked two punts (one he recovered and returned 35 yards for a touchdown). After a stellar true freshman campaign in 1993, Westbrook was in the midst of a breakout sophomore season that saw him intercept four passes in that season's first six games before a knee injury ended his year. He still earned second-team All-SWC honors that year before becoming a first-teamer as a junior and senior. The fifth overall pick of the 1997 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions, Westbrook was the earliest a Longhorn was selected in 15 years (since Kenneth Sims in 1982). He played six NFL seasons but his career was cut short by a series of injuries, including two season-ending Achilles' tendon tears. Despite the injuries, Westbrook made the best of his six seasons, playing in 74 career NFL games and starting 55, mostly with the Lions. He also had a short stint with the Dallas Cowboys and finished his career with the Green Bay Packers. He recorded 13 career interceptions, three of which he returned for touchdowns. Of his 233 career tackles, 197 were solo stops. Selected to the All-Rookie team in 1997, Westbrook started 30 of 31 games in his first two seasons and had 119 tackles (100 solo), five interceptions (two returned for TDs) and 39 PBU. His best year came in 2000 when he recorded a career-best six interceptions, including one he took back 101 yards for a score. A Pro bowl alternate that year, Westbrook sustained a season-ending ruptured left Achilles tendon which cost him the latter part of what was on pace to be an All-Pro campaign. Despite the premature ending of the 2000 season, he registered 52 tackles (43 solo), and a career-high of 21 PBU. After his NFL career, Westbrook has spent nearly a decade as a high school coach, now coaching the secondary at perennial Arizona powerhouse Sagauro High School in Scottsdale.