Austin College Inducts Seven to the Athletics Hall of Honor
The Austin College Athletics Department and the Alumni “A” Athletics Association Board held its annual Legends Weekend on July 28-30, 2023, to induct seven athletes into the Hall of Honor and name the recipient of the Coach Joe Spencer Award for Meritorious Service and Lifetime Achievement in Coaching.
In addition to the Awards Dinner on Saturday, The Legends Weekend included a welcome event for the newest members of the Robert T. Mason Society, ’Roo Reception in memory of Danny Gilstrap from the class of ’67 at The Gar Hole in Anna, Texas, on Friday, July 28; and on Sunday, ’Roos gathered at Stone Creek Golf Club for the 40th Slats McCord Golf Tournament.
Hall of Honor inductees are chosen from a field of nominees and recognized for their athletic record while at Austin College and outstanding work in their professions and service to others. The 2023 Hall of Honor inductees are:
Paul Burns, former Austin College Women’s Soccer coach, 1996-2013, led the teams on a 14-season winning streak, and finished under .500 only three times. His career record with the ‘Roos stands at 175-117-29 which includes winning the ASC East Division in 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001; and the ASC crown in 2000 which lead to a berth in the NCAA Championship.
Gordon Eiland ’79 was a 4-year athlete in football and ran one year of track. He earned a B.A. from Austin College in biology/psychology, a B.A. in physical therapy at The University of Texas Medical, and an M.A. in exercise physiology at Kent State University. His career achievements include work as a physical therapist, athletic trainer, adjunct instructor, and editorial advisor for professional journals. He has worked at many high-profile athletic events across the nation and internationally.
Matt Finke ’10 was a four-year, two-sport athlete in football and baseball. He earned a B.A. in business from Austin College. He has been in the U.S. Army since 2015 and now serves as an Orthopedic Technician. In 2019 he deployed to Iraq, in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, where he served as the Movement and Security Non-Commissioned Officer In-Charge. There he received a Battlefield Promotion for his accomplishments.
Reed Heim ’00 was a four-year football letterman. He earned a B.A. in business administration from Austin College and an M.A. in education/sports management from Baylor University. He has worked as a coach and recruiter on the college level and has shaped the lives of high school athletes in Texas, now serving as Head Coach at Denton Guyer High School in Denton, TX.
Dyke McMahen ’86 was a four-year athlete in football and track. He earned a B.A. in sociology and physical education from Austin College. He has a 30-year career as a Texas Game Warden and has been honored as the Game Warden of the Year for Region 6 and the Shakir Safari Club International Texas Officer of the Year. He has helped in rescues at major weather catastrophes such as Hurricanes Rita, Ike, Harvey, and others.
David “Scooter” Means ’09 was a four-year athlete in football and played three years of baseball. He earned B.A. in economics/business administration from Austin College, and completed his AIF through Cannon Financial Institute, and CLU through The American College of Financial Planning. Scooter is a member of Dallas Estate Planning Council, Top of the Table-Million Dollar Round Table, National Association of Plan Advisors, Finseca and Forum 400.
Colleen Walsh ’07, was a four-year athlete in Women’s Soccer. She earned a B.A. in Exercise sports science/biology, and later completed an M.A. in Information Systems and Security/Information Assurance, and an M.E. in Curriculum, and Instruction, both from Our Lady of the Lake University. Since 2014, she has worked for USAA in various roles including systems analyst, software development and integrator, IT project implementation lead, security, operations, and investigations.
Coach Joe Spencer Award for Meritorious Service and Lifetime Achievement in Coaching Award recipient Kim Randolph ’75 has served as head softball coach at Episcopal High School in Bellaire, Texas, and principal and biology teacher during his career there since 1996. The EHS Knights softball team has won the Southwest Preparatory Conference Championship 17 times in the years Randolph has had coaching influence there.
As a coach, administrator and faculty member, he has worked alongside students on service projects including home repair, food collection, hurricane and flood relief, and athletic events designed for disabled children. He was recently awarded the school’s Hexagon Distinguished Faculty and Staff Award. Reaching beyond the campus of EHS, Randolph has donated equipment and coached clinics at public schools with limited facilities and equipment.