Houston Academy Athletic Hall of Fame
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The purpose of the Hall of Fame is to recognize and honor those athletes, coaches, administrators and supporters who excelled in their respective areas and who helped to bring honor, recognition and excellence to Houston Academy.
To be considered for the Houston Academy Hall of Fame, anyone may submit the nomination form to the athletic department by July 1st. All nomination forms received by July 1st will be considered for the induction class. You can submit a nomination online by clicking here. For more information on the Athletic Hall of Fame, email Director of Advancement, Kristyn Clark, at clarkk@houstonacademy.com. Nominees must have an application on file to be considered. Nominees will be kept on file for three years and will be eligible for consideration during those three years if not chosen.
Nomination Criteria
Individual Athlete
An athlete may be eligible for nomination after five years following graduation from Houston Academy.
Coach
A coach may be eligible for nomination after having been a part of the HA athletic department for at least two years & has been retired for at least three seasons.
HA Athletic Contributor
A sports contributor is an individual or group who has helped to develop and foster growth of athletics in the HA athletic community may be eligible for nomination.
Ceremony for Inductees
A reception for inductees will be held in December of 2018 on Houston Academy’s campus. Inductees will be introduced at halftime of the boys varsity basketball game. More ceremony details will be posted here after inductees have been chosen.
2020 Hall of Fame Class
Johnny Oppert
Glenn Northcutt
Lavon Kelley
Stanley Jones
Ron Watson
2019 Hall of Fame Class
Kristen Flowers Crowder | Class of 1993
Sport(s): Tennis
Accolades: 4-time state champion
Offered multiple college scholarships
Started as #1 and #2 singles player
Birmingham Southern College
Ned Jenne | 1972-2013
Sport(s): Football Coach/Teacher/Contributor
Accolades: Coached HA Football for 17 years
Chemistry and Physics Teacher
Ned Jenne Memorial Chemistry Lab
John John Steensland | Class of 1996
Sport(s): Basketball
Accolades: 4 Year Starter
Leads HA with most career 3 pointers
Scholarship to Georgia College
3 year starter and 2 time Captain
2018 Hall of Fame Class
Victor Newman | Class of 1991
Sport(s): Basketball (5 Year Starter)
Accolades: 1987-88 AHSAA State record holder for most consecutive free throws in one year 58
1987-88 AHSAA State record holder for most consecutive free throws in one game 23
First Team All State 1990 & 1991
1991 State Championship Team
1991 AHSAA Mr. Basketball
North Carolina State University / UNC Asheville
1996 UNC Asheville AVG 7.1 pts. and 5.3 rebounds as a Senior
Paul Lennicx | Class of 1988
Sport(s): Tennis
1988 Houston Academy State Championship
1888 #1 Singles Champion 1A-5A
1988 #1 Doubles Champion 1A-5A
1999 Head Tennis Coach Boys1A-3A Runner-Up
1987 USTA State Closed Champion
1987 Ranked #1 in Alabama Boys 18 & Under
1990 Ranked#1 U.S. Men’s Amateur
1995 USTA 25 and over Southern Open Champion
Rollins College
1991 Rollins College NCAA DII National Champion
1992 NCAA DII National Player of The Year
1990,1991,1992 NCAA DII All American
1989,1990,1991,1992 Sunshine State Conference Team
2003 Rollins College Sports Hall of Fame
2004 Sunshine State Conference Silver Anniversary Team
Ernest Ponder | Class of 1975
Sport(s): Football and Basketball
Accolades: All State as a Junior and Senior
Lions Bowl MVP 1974
19 Touchdowns Senior year
Scholar Athlete Award Senior year
Prep All American Team
Football Scholarship at University of Georgia
Basketball
4-year starter
High School career avg. 23.3 a game
All State senior year
Alabama High School All Star Game Dothan Progress Best Athlete Award Senior Year
HA Raiders
Home to 25 State Championships and 16 State Runners–Up
State Championships
Baseball – 1993, 2014
Boys Basketball – 1991
Golf – 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2018, 2019
Softball – 1998, 1999, 2002
Boys Tennis – 1988, 2018, 2019
Girls Tennis – 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2014
State Runners-Up
Girls Basketball – 1991
Girls Cross Country – 1983, 1985
Football – 1973
Golf – 2006
Boys Tennis – 1987, 2004
Girls Tennis – 1999, 1993, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015
