The achievements of Yellow Jacket athletes, teams, coaches and supporters--through the decades--will be remembered and celebrated with the establishment of the Cleburne ISD Athletics Hall of Honor.

                Athletic Director Jeri Larrison-Hall presented information on the Athletics Hall of Honor to trustees at Tuesday’s school board meeting.  An 11-member committee has been meeting since the fall to review and establish a nomination criteria and procedure, mission statement and bylaws and the hosting of an annual banquet in which honorees will be inducted. The first banquet is planned for early 2024 and will also serve as a fundraiser for future Hall of Honor celebrations.

                 “We are very excited to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of outstanding student athletes, coaches, teams, administrators and supporters of Cleburne athletics in creating a Hall of Honor for our school district,” Larrison-Hall said. “Our hopes are to renew a connection between these honorees, and their families, with our schools and district.”

                “We also want this to have a positive impact on current and future student athletes,” she said. “They are competing as Cleburne Yellow Jackets, and our hopes are to equip them with a deeper sense and awareness of the pride, tradition and excellence that comes with that. The history and heritage of Cleburne athletics extends beyond 100 years. We’ve had opportunities to bring current athletes together with our athletic alumni, and they have been memorable. In hosting an annual Athletics Hall of Honor banquet and induction ceremony, with students in attendance, a deeper bond between our athletes and their Jacket alumni will hopefully result.”

                Athletes will be eligible for nomination to the Hall of Honor ten years following their graduation from Cleburne High School. They must have lettered in at least one sport twice, or two sports once during their high school athletic career. As a candidate, he or she must have exemplified sportsmanship, leadership, citizenship and teamwork as a CHS athlete.

                Teams that achieved a state championship or post-season qualification may be nominated five years after their championship season.

                “Those teams whose accomplishments raised the bar and set a standard for the teams to follow are ideal candidates for the Hall of Honor,” Larrison-Hall said. “We want to recognize those groups that left a legacy at CHS.”

                The induction criteria for coaching personnel includes former staff whose affiliation with CISD extends beyond five years. Candidates must have made a significant contribution to CHS athletics through their leadership, inspiration and support. While at CHS, their accomplishments raised or set a standard for future coaches, teams, administrators and the athletic program.

                 “Jacket Backers” from the community may also be nominated for their contributions to CHS athletics in the forms of leadership, inspiration and as supportive fans of the black and gold.

                In maintaining the integrity of the Cleburne ISD Athletics Hall of Honor, nominees are required to have exemplified the highest standards of sportsmanship, ethical conduct and moral character during and after graduation. All candidates will be evaluated on their significant and/or long-term contributions to CHS/CISD athletic endeavors. Acknowledgement of leadership in his/her chosen field, community, state and/or national presence will be considered.

                Inductees may be nominated by the Hall of Honor Selection Committee, current CISD faculty, administrators and staff; current members of the community; and alumnus of CHS.

                “In the first couple of years we will need to catch up on groups to be honored, such as the 1920 state championship football team, which will be done in memoriam,” Larrison-Hall said. “The 1959 football team and its players will also be in the first wave of recognition. We’ve had the CHS Ex-Students Association Wall of Fame for years, and as a district, we are excited to add the Hall of Honor to remember those who brought honor to Cleburne High School and our community through their athletic achievements.”

                Information on the Hall of Honor and a nomination packet is in the process of being posted on the Athletics Page of the CISD website: https://www.c-isd.com/Domain/62. All entries, using the Hall of Honor official nomination form, may be emailed to: jlarrisonhall@c-isd.com or mailed to the Cleburne ISD Department of Athletics. Nomination forms and required accompanying documents for the Hall of Honor Class of 2024 must be received/postmarked by November 1, 2023.