IRVING, Texas — Irving ISD has announced its Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2026, honoring four athletes and coaches whose accomplishments helped shape the district’s sports legacy.
This year’s inductees are:
- Lance Brown, MacArthur baseball coach
- Jamaal Evans, Irving High football player
- Jeff Mercer, Irving High football player
- Byron “BK” Miles, Nimitz High football player
The inductees will be honored during a banquet Saturday, May 2, at the Irving ISD Transportation Center, 3229 W. Pioneer Drive.
Registration begins at 5 p.m., followed by the program at 6 p.m. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased through the Irving ISD Athletics Department.
Lance Brown
Brown built a distinguished career in baseball as both a player and coach. At TCU, he earned All-American honors as a pitcher and helped lead the Horned Frogs to the 1963 Southwest Conference championship before playing professionally in the Chicago Cubs organization.
At MacArthur High School, Brown served as a history teacher, head baseball coach and assistant football coach from 1969 to 1976, compiling a 113-78 record and leading the school to a bi-district championship in 1973.
He later coached at Rice University and returned to TCU as head baseball coach, where he totaled 517 career wins and led the program to a Southwest Conference title in 1994. Brown is still TCU's all-time winningest baseball coach. He retired in June 2003.
Jamaal Evans
Evans became one of the most accomplished running backs in Irving ISD history, rushing for more than 6,300 yards and scoring more than 60 touchdowns during his career at Irving High School.
A three-sport athlete in football, basketball and track, Evans earned numerous honors, including All-State, high school All-American and District 6-5A Offensive Player of the Year.
He later played college football at Georgia Tech and Southeastern Oklahoma State University and remains active in the Irving community as a mentor and founder of The Irving Heat Youth Basketball Club.
Jeff Mercer
Mercer helped lead Irving High School to a district championship and its first playoff appearance in 22 years as part of the 1991 Irving Tigers.
A standout linebacker, Mercer earned All-District honors three times and set a school record with 213 tackles in a single season.
He also excelled in wrestling before continuing his football career at Rice University, where he earned All-Southwest Conference Academic honors.
Mercer now serves as chief executive officer and owner of Mercer Company, a Dallas-based commercial real estate firm.
Byron “BK” Miles
Miles starred at Nimitz High School as a four-year football letterman and standout multi-sport athlete.
During his senior season, he rushed for 1,271 yards and finished among the top 20 rushers in Texas while helping lead the Vikings on a playoff run.
He later played at Texas Tech and professionally in the Arena Football League with the Fort Worth Cavalry.
Miles now serves as a teacher and coach at Decatur High School, continuing a career focused on mentoring young people.
The Irving ISD Athletic Hall of Fame also includes:
The 2025 Class:
- Carrie Barton Garten, Nimitz High School
- Reginald "Reggie" Finch, MacArthur High School
- Terry Spradlin, Irving High School Coach
- John Randal "Randy" Stipes, Nimitz High School Student Trainer
The 2024 Class:
- Brian Bosworth, MacArthur High School
- Jay Boulware, Nimitz High School
- Steve Grumbine, MacArthur High School
- Sam Morton, MacArthur High School Coach
- Wes Pyfer, Nimitz High School
The 2023 Class:
- Suzie Oelschlegel, MacArthur Coach
- Chris Hall, Irving Athlete
- Terry Knouse, MacArthur Coach
- Rodrick Walker, Nimitz Athlete
The 2022 Class:
- Jim Hart, Irving Athlete
- Les Lancaster, Nimitz Athlete
- Don Reeves, Travis/MacArthur Coach
The 2020/2021 Class:
- Bruce Burns, Community Contributor
- Tom Ladusau, MacArthur Athlete and Nimitz Coach
- Tyson-Thompson: El, Irving Athlete
- Norman Watkins, Irving Athlete
The 2019 Class:
- Tony Arnold, Irving Athlete
- Joe Barnett, Coach
- Stan Cason, Stadium Announcer
- Glenn Sullivan, Irving Athlete
The 2018 Class:
- Ken Dabbs, Coach
- Barry Knott, Nimitz Athlete and Irving Coach
- Don Poe, Coach
- Mike Sartor, Coach
The 2017 Class:
- Brad Knouse, MacArthur Athlete
- Hobart Lytal, Coach
- Duane Miller, Irving Athlete
- Thomas Uhr, Coach
The 2016 Class:
- DeMarcus Faggins, Irving Athlete
- Kelvin Korver, Irving Athlete
- Ray Overton, Coach
- Morris Sloan, Coach and Irving Athlete
The 2015 Class:
- Jim Bennett, Coach
- Mike Phillips, MacArthur Athlete
- Bill Rutherford, Irving Athlete
- Kenny Walters, Irving Athlete
The 2014 Class:
- Brandel Chamblee, MacArthur Athlete
- Ruthie Lobb Davis, Irving Athlete
- Aaron De La Torre, Irving Athlete
- Margie Stipes, Community Contributor
- Randy Waldrum, MacArthur Athlete
- Murphy Webster, Coach
The 2013 Class:
- Michael Huff, Nimitz Athlete
- Kerry Cooks, Nimitz Athlete
- Joe Perryman, Coach
- Anne Uhr, Coach
- Joy and Ralph Ellis, Community Contributors
The 2012 Class:
- Akin Ayodele, MacArthur Athlete
- Cedric Colby, MacArthur Athlete
- Alan Lowry, Irving Athlete
- David Rose, Irving Athlete
- Deeanna Williams, Nimitz Athlete
- Mike Farda, Coach
- Bob Harrell, Coach and Athletic Director
