Event Program
Tuesday, June 3rd
DOORS
The Coastal Bend Sports Hall of Fame and Awards Show is designed to celebrate Coastal Bend amateur and professional achievements in sports and celebrate the diverse ways that sports enrich our community. This event, hosted by the Corpus Christi Sports Commission, a strategic initiative of Visit Corpus Christi, will also honor non-profit organizations that contribute to the local sports scene, and induct distinguished individuals who have made a lasting impression while celebrating the legacy they’ve created. Join Visit Corpus Christi in commemorating the local sports community and its significant impact on shaping and uniting the Coastal Bend Region.
about coastal bend sports hall of fame event program
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM Doors Open, Championship Circle Open
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Dinner is Served 7:00- 7:25 Welcome & Opening Remarks
7:30 PM - 8:40 PM Awards Show
8:40-9:00 PM Hall of Fame Inductee Announcement & Closing Remarks
A
Message from Brook Kaufman
On Behalf of Visit Corpus Christi and the Corpus Christi Sports Commission
Welcome to the Coastal Bend Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony!
Thank you for joining us for the second annual celebration of the athletes, coaches, and leaders who have helped shape the Coastal Bend’s remarkable sports story. Your support tonight reflects a shared belief in the power of sports to inspire, connect, and elevate our entire region.
As the new President & CEO of Visit Corpus Christi, I’m thrilled to be stepping into this role at such a pivotal time. One of my top priorities is to position Corpus Christi as a premier sports destination—not only across Texas, but globally. Through the work of the Corpus Christi Sports Commission, and with your continued involvement, we’re charting a bold course for the future of sports tourism in the Coastal Bend.
In just two years, the Sports Commission has laid a strong foundation. We’ve hosted impactful events, forged valuable partnerships, and helped shine a spotlight on the Coastal Bend’s unique potential. But this is just the beginning. Together, we’ll continue to grow our presence, attract more sporting events and business, and celebrate the people and moments that define excellence in sports.
Tonight is about honoring those who have brought pride to our community and building on that momentum to shape what comes next. Thank you for being here, for believing in our vision, and for helping us share the Gulf Coast Capital sports story with the world.
Let’s keep moving forward—together.
Brook Kaufman President & CEO
Visit Corpus Christi
2025 INDUCTEES
Brooks Kieschnick
Brooks Kieschnick, a native of Robstown, Texas, and standout athlete at Mary Carroll High School in Corpus Christi, is a Coastal Bend Sports Legend known for his rare talent as both a pitcher and hitter. A three-sport high school athlete, he posted a perfect 12-0 pitching record with a 0.62 ERA and batted .466, earning All-South Texas Player of the Year.
At the University of Texas, he became the only player to win the Dick Howser Trophy twice, compiling a 34–8 pitching record and 43 home runs over three seasons. Drafted 10th overall by the Chicago Cubs, he played in the MLB from 1996 to 2004 and made history in 2003 as the first player to homer as a pitcher, designated hitter, and pinch hitter in one season.
RAY AKINS
Ray Akins, a legendary high school football coach and community leader, is being inducted into the Coastal Bend Sports Hall of Fame for his lasting impact on the game. From 1965 to 1988, he led Gregory-Portland High School to a 208–51–7 record, including 12 straight district titles and a trip to the 1971 state finals. With a career record of 293–102–15, Akins is among the winningest coaches in Texas high school football history.
A U.S. Marine Corps veteran of World War II, his legacy extends beyond the field, with honors including the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame and the President Gerald R. Ford AllAmerican High School Coaches Award. He also helped shape a family of football greatness, as the father of All-American Marty Akins and grandfather of NFL legend Drew Brees.
2024 INDUCTEES
AMY ACUFF
EUGENE UPSHAW
KITTY O’NEIL
PHIL DANAHER
Hall of Fame
2024 Winners & Finalists
COMMUNITY AWARDS
Coastal Bend Athlete of the Year
Alecia Westbrook – TAMUCC Women’s Basketball
Ryan Phillips – Trap Shooting 2024 Olympic Team Member
Amos Coleman – TAMUK Football
Coach of the Year
Calallen Softball – Teresa Lentz
TAMUCC Women’s Basketball – Royce Chadwick
Flour Bluff Boys Soccer – Bob Chapman
Athlete with Heart
Dr. Joel Wendell – Corpus Christi Triathlon
Rene “Ricky” Ramirez – London
Madison Avery – Sinton
Rising Star
Aiden Salinas – London
Lucian Cruz – Alice
Julian Delgado – Corpus Christi
Team of the Year
TAMUCC Women’s Basketball Team
Refugio High School Track Program
Alice High School Varsity Football Team
Moment of the Year
Paige Allen – TAMUCC Women’s Basketball Team
Miller HS Football (Trevor Long, Corey Holmes) –3rd Round Playoff Late Victory Comeback vs Victoria West
Calallen Softball Back-to-Back-to-Back Home Runs vs #6 Bullard (Brooklyn Meador, Alaunah Almaraz, and Audryna Almaraz)
Pride of Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi Triathlon Club
Wings of Texas
Corpus Christi RIMZ
Comeback Story of the Year
Ryder Harrison – Gregory Portland
Odem High School Varsity Football Team
Triston Handson – Sinton
HIGH SCHOOL AWARDS
HS Female Athlete of the Year
Libby Foster – King
Autumn Galvan – Sinton
Madilynn Cantu – Moody
HS Male Athlete of the Year
Diego Trevino – Alice
Nic Talavera – Ray
Aidan Moody – Sinton
Girls Cross Country
Nyomi Garcia – Robstown
Izabella Ohler – Sinton
Elaina Lucido – Carroll
Boys Cross Country
Jackson Lovvorn – King
Michael Rodriguez – Veterans Memorial
William Carlough – Port Aransas
Volleyball
Maggie Croft – Flour Bluff
Mia De La Pena – Veterans Memorial
Bella Garcia – Tuloso Midway Football
Jaydon Smith – Ingleside
Broderick Taylor – Miller
Jayden Paluseo – Flour Bluff
Girls Wrestling
Abigail Mendonza – VM
Layla Chapa – Moody
Leah Cisneros – Carroll
Boys Wrestling
Aidan Rodriguez – Veterans Memorial
Isaiah Deleon – King
Cole Ramirez – Ray
Girls Swimming & Diving
Jenny Pickens – Calallen
Emily Hand – King
Bailey Elwood – Flour Bluff
Boys Swimming & Diving
Matteo Nisimblat – Tuloso Midway
Jonah Shelton – London
Jaden Lopez – Flour Bluff
Girls Basketball
Jocelyn Cole – Aransas Pass
Logan Borchardt – Bishop
Maggie Croft – Flour Bluff
Boys Basketball
Shawn Williams – Gregory Portland
Chris “CJ” Vela – Veterans Memorial
Donny Thomas – Bishop
Girls Powerlifting
Annica Gonzales – Beeville
Janessa Vela – Robstown
Jalynn Garcia – San Diego
Boys Powerlifting
Aiden Hinojosa – Calallen
Giancarlo Mirabal – London
Tristian Dalvila – Tuloso Midway
Girls Soccer
Makenzie Ivie – Gregory Portland
Jordin Jarrin – London
Kaylee Ricine – Calallen
Boys Soccer
Cristobal Deleon – Rockport Fulton
Brandon Fonseca – London
Zachary Ewing – Flour Bluff
Girls Golf
Kieli Saenz – Veterans Memorial
Hannah Creekmore – Rockport Fulton
Ava Villegas – London
Boys Golf
Noah Resendez – HM King
Broc Talamantez – Gregory Portland
Taggart Silvas – Woodsboro
Girls Tennis
Jenny Su – Veterans Memorial
Aracely Salinas – West Oso
Emma Rister – Ray
Boys Tennis
Kameron Fernandez – IWA
Ryan Morales – Flour Bluff
Revel Wicks – Gregory Portland
Girls Track & Field
Jazmyn Howard – Refugio
Madison Snody – Gregory Portland
Trinity Anscombe – Robstown
Boys Track & Field
Ernest Campbell – Refugio
Zachary Dewalt – Flour Bluff
Jasiah Rivera – HM King
Softball
Alaunah Almaraz – Calallen
Jamie Burch – Sinton
Adi Mireles – Santa Gertrudis Academy
Baseball
Blayne Lyne – London
Adin Ruiz – Veterans Memorial
Max Lara – Tuloso Midway
thank you to our sponsors GOLD SPONSOR
COACH OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY
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