The Dayton ISD Sports Hall of Fame welcomed its newest members during an induction ceremony held on the morning of Sept. 27 at the Performing Arts Center at Dayton High School. The event celebrated former Dayton athletes and supporters whose achievements and dedication have left a lasting impact on the district’s athletic programs.
Larry Wadzeck, a founding member of the Sports Hall of Fame, announced this year’s inductees. He told the audience that the ceremony felt like a family reunion, with several relatives joining each other in the hall.
“We have a father joining his son in the Hall of Fame, a brother joining his brother, a sister joining her sister, parents joining their daughter, a husband joining his wife, and some moms and aunts joining their family members,” Wadzeck said. “We have a lot of family ties here today. Not only that, but up here on the stage, we have two quarterbacks who quarterbacked their Bronco teams to undefeated seasons. We have three offensive linemen and we have three who are head coaches at high schools around the area.”
Ryan Williams
Among the honorees was Ryan Williams, whose name is already familiar to the Hall of Fame — his twin brother, Bryan, was inducted previously. Williams earned his place through his achievements in cross country and track. A four-year letterman in both sports, Williams received a track scholarship to McNeese State University. In high school, he was a two-time district runner-up in cross country, a three-time regional qualifier and a two-time state qualifier, finishing eighth in the state during his senior year.
At McNeese, Williams was part of two Southland Conference championship cross country teams and scored points in every conference track meet in the 1,600- and 3,200-meter races, as well as the steeplechase. After graduating, he spent 13 years in education, including time at Dayton ISD, before joining The Woodlands High School in Conroe ISD. There, he served as assistant cross country coach for a program that went on to win three consecutive 6A state championships.
Williams has also been recognized for teaching excellence in Conroe ISD and has served as a children’s minister at his church. Wadzeck noted that Williams’ passion for running continues — he has even posted a qualifying time for the Boston Marathon.
“He hasn’t stopped running,” Wadzeck said. “He’s posted a qualifying time for the Boston Marathon on top of that, and he’s been a scholar athlete in high school and college.”
Michael Asbill
Another inductee, Michael Asbill, was praised not only for his athletic ability but for his character and leadership on and off the field.
“If you looked up ‘character’ in the dictionary, Michael’s picture would pop up beside it,” Wadzeck said. “He is a young man of faith, not only talking the talk, but this young man walks the walk.”
Asbill was a four-year letterman in track and cross country at Dayton High School. In 1997, he was a member of the fifth-place state cross country team. The following year, he became the district cross country champion, earned a spot on the all-region team and qualified individually for the state meet. In 1999, Asbill captured district titles in both the 800-meter and 1,600-meter runs.
He continued his athletic career at McNeese State University, where he competed in cross country. After graduation, Asbill returned to Dayton High School, where he has served as cross country coach since 2009. Under his leadership, the program has produced individual record holders in the girls’ and boys’ 3,200-meter and boys’ 1,600-meter events.
His teams have also achieved back-to-back district cross country championships in 2023 and 2024, and Wadzeck said Asbill and the Broncos are hoping for a three-peat this year. Asbill has coached individual state cross country qualifiers for five consecutive years.
“And above all of that, above the ability to run, the ability to coach runners, he is a positive role model for our present and future athletes,” Wadzeck said.
Brian Clark
Brian Clark was also welcomed into the Dayton ISD Sports Hall of Fame, recognized for his accomplishments on the field and the integrity that has guided him throughout his life.
“Brian was persistent in saying that his coaches and teachers deserve the credit for giving him the foundation to be successful in life, that they instilled in Brian the values of hard work, persistence, endurance, ethics and commitment that he’s been able to build a foundation on to go not just in high school, but for the rest of his life,” Wadzeck said.
Clark was a three-time all-district football player, earning all-area honors as both a junior and senior, and all-state recognition his senior year. He was elected Bronco football captain in both his junior and senior seasons. In track and field, he was a three-time district champion in the shot put.
As a senior, Clark was voted Most Athletic, received the Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Award and was named Mr. DHS.
“After high school, he found his calling in the United States Air Force, served two tours of duty in the Mideast, and while he was in the Air Force, not only serving and protecting our country, he earned his undergraduate degree and two master’s degrees and retired from the Air Force as a captain,” Wadzeck said. “Since then, he has used his training, not only from Dayton, but of course, in the biotech industry, where he has been quite successful. In fact, he is close to finishing his doctorate degree in that area.”
David “Rabbit” Godfrey
Next to be recognized was David “Rabbit” Godfrey, whose speed on the field earned him his memorable nickname.
“I had a coach with over 35 years of coaching experience who told me flat out that David Godfrey was the absolute best high school athlete he’d ever seen,” Wadzeck said.
Godfrey began his athletic career playing for the Colbert Tigers, the campus for black students prior to school integration. When he transitioned to Dayton High School, he quickly continued his reputation for athletic excellence.
He was a backup quarterback and starting safety for the Tigers before becoming a three-year letterman at Dayton, earning honors in basketball and baseball—where he excelled as a pitcher — and in football, where he quarterbacked the Broncos to an undefeated regular season.
“David handled the kickoffs, the punts, the extra points, the field goals. He was a punt returner, a kickoff returner, starting safety on defense and starting quarterback on offense. He never left the field,” Wadzeck said. “When I asked the coach about it, he said, ‘I wasn’t going to take the best player we had off the field.’”
Jolie Kennard
Jolie Kennard was also among this year’s honorees, though she was unable to attend the ceremony due to illness and was represented by her mother. Kennard was a three-year letterman in volleyball for the Lady Broncos and served as team captain in both her junior and senior seasons.
As a junior, she was named Most Improved Player, and as a senior, she earned First Team All-District honors. Her leadership and determination on the court helped set the tone for her team’s success during those years.
Kennard has continued her dedication to the sport beyond her playing days. She now serves as the head volleyball coach at Hull-Daisetta ISD, inspiring and mentoring the next generation of student-athletes.
Lloyd Liggons
Introducing Lloyd Liggons, Wadzeck noted that many of the inductees shared a common trait—quiet leadership.
“A lot of these people up here are just like that,” Wadzeck said. “They are not braggarts. They are quiet. They go out and do the job, and do it right. They don’t have to brag. You don’t have to brag if you do your job right.”
Liggons, an honor graduate of Dayton High School, was among the school’s most accomplished athletes, particularly during his senior year. He served as the starting quarterback for the Broncos and excelled in track and field as both a triple and long jumper. He was a regional qualifier for two years in the triple jump.
After graduation, Liggons continued his athletic career at Stephen F. Austin State University, where he played football for the Lumberjacks and averaged more than eight yards per catch as a wide receiver.
Today, Liggons remains dedicated to fitness and athletics as the owner of Species Gym in Baytown.
Kharylake Martin
Kharylake Martin was also inducted into the Dayton ISD Sports Hall of Fame, remembered by coaches and teammates alike for his strength, skill and leadership on the field.
One coach told Wadzeck that in his 35 years of experience, Martin was “the best lineman I ever coached.”
Martin was a standout in multiple sports, lettering in football, track and powerlifting. As a sophomore, he earned All-District honors in football, but it was during his senior year that he truly distinguished himself. He was named All-District, All-Greater Houston First Team and All-State.
High school scouting organizations ranked Martin among the top players in Texas and across the country. He was selected to the All-Midlands and All-Southwest teams and was ranked the 78th best high school senior in Texas, the 13th best offensive lineman in the state, and the 66th best offensive lineman nationally.
Wadzeck added that Martin was one of the best athletes to ever don a Dayton Broncos jersey.
Chance McCormack
Chance McCormack was also honored for his contributions to Dayton football, remembered as a hardworking, intelligent and dominant presence on the offensive line.
He was a two-time All-District lineman for the Broncos and a key member of one of the best offensive lines in Dayton history. McCormack also played a vital role on the team that finished as state runner-up.
After high school, he continued his football career at Blinn College, where he earned All-Southwest Junior College Team honors as an offensive lineman. He later transferred to Lamar University, where he became the starting center and was named to the All-Southern Conference First Team his senior year.
At Lamar, McCormack anchored an offensive line that helped power one of the top-ranked offenses in the nation, finishing fifth overall.
Coaches described McCormack as a player who combined strength and intelligence with humility and dedication. They called him a quiet leader who always took care of his responsibilities and put his team first.
Kristen Reno
Kristen Reno was also inducted into the Dayton ISD Sports Hall of Fame, recognized for her outstanding achievements in volleyball and her continued dedication to education.
Reno was a three-time medalist and earned district honors in volleyball during her sophomore, junior and senior years. As a junior, she led the team in serving aces and was named Most Improved Player and All-Tournament at the YMBL Lamar University Tournament. She capped her senior season with First Team All-District recognition.
A three-year member of the Lady Broncos varsity volleyball team, Reno helped lead Dayton to 84 victories during her high school career –the second-most ever recorded by a player. During those three seasons, the team captured three consecutive district titles, remained undefeated in district play each year and secured one area championship, with Reno playing a major role in each accomplishment.
In addition to volleyball, Reno was also a member of the first Dayton Bronco softball team.
After earning her college degree, Reno pursued a career in education — something Wadzeck lightheartedly noted she did “for all the big money.” Today, she serves as the academic dean at Robert E. Lee High School in Baytown.
Mike Ripkowski
Mike Ripkowski was also remembered and honored for a lifetime defined by service, leadership and community spirit.
“In Dayton, when you hear the name Ripkowski, there’s a thing you think of — patriotism, service, hard work, athletics. He embodied all of those,” Wadzeck said. “He was one of 12 brothers that served our country in the military. He was a member of the United States Air Force.”
Ripkowski, a 1950 graduate of Dayton High School, lettered two years in basketball and three years in football. As a junior, he earned All-District honors, and as a senior, he quarterbacked the 1949 Dayton Broncos to an undefeated regular season — nine wins, no losses and one tie. Despite their remarkable season, the Broncos missed the playoffs after losing a coin flip to Tomball, which also finished 9-1-1.
Beyond football, Ripkowski was instrumental in reviving baseball as a sport at Dayton High School. His contributions extended far past his playing days — he devoted much of his life to supporting youth sports in Dayton, particularly baseball, and was an active member of the Dayton Athletic Booster Club.
A proud veteran and member of the American Legion, Ripkowski’s legacy of service and community involvement continues through his family. Though he is now deceased, his sons Robert and Gary were present to accept the honor on his behalf.
Andrew Walker
Andrew Walker was also recognized for his skill, competitiveness and drive both on and off the court.
“His coach said not just a great athlete, but a fierce competitor,” Wadzeck said. “I don’t see fierce — I mean, I see a nice kid. But a great athlete, a fierce competitor who worked hard and put extra time into every aspect of his game in order to make himself better and to make his team better.”
Walker was a three-year letterman in both basketball and baseball at Dayton High School. In basketball, he earned All-District honors as a junior and senior, was voted team MVP his senior year and earned the title “Chairman of the Boards” for his dominance in rebounding.
He went on to play basketball for one year at the University of Houston–Victoria before discovering his true calling in baseball. After a friend encouraged him to try out, Walker’s 90-mile-per-hour pitches caught the attention of the coach — former Houston Astros player Terry Poole — who recruited him to join the baseball team. By his senior year, Walker was named Most Valuable Pitcher.
After graduation, he began a coaching career at Huffman High School, where he served as assistant baseball coach for the team that went on to become state finalists. Today, Walker continues to share his passion for the sport as head baseball coach at Huffman High School.
Jeremy Winters
Jeremy Winters was also honored for his drive, versatility and deep commitment to his community.
Wadzeck joked that “Jeremy’s low level was 100 percent effort in everything he did, every job that was required of him.” On the football field, basketball court, or on the track, you got everything that Jeremy had, plus some.
He was a letterman in football, basketball and track at Dayton High School. In basketball, he said he set teeth-rattling picks on the basketball court. In football, he was a two-time all-district selection.
He played two years at Tyler Junior College and was named to the all-conference team on the defensive line. He went on after Tyler and played two years at Texas A &M-Commerce, where he led the team in quarterback sacks and tackles for loss.
Wadzeck added, “One thing that Jeremy is very involved in is youth sports in Dayton. To him, it’s always been bigger than sports. It’s been about helping young people believe that they can do their best both on and off the field. He has a heart for mentorship in sports. This past spring, he was a coach at the Nico Collins Youth Football Camp in Houston. At Tyler Junior College, he received the Homes for Heroes Humanitarian Award. A sense of community, a sense of service, a sense of youth development marks Jeremy Winters. Not just an outstanding athlete, but someone that wants to contribute, give back to his community.”
Eddie and Dorothy Goulder
The Hall of Fame also recognized Eddie and Dorothy Goulder, who were not athletes themselves but were longtime supporters of Dayton Bronco athletics.
“Dayton sports have a large number of supporters and boosters that we always want to recognize each year,” Wadzeck said as he introduced the couple.
Eddie Goulder, a World War II veteran who fought at Iwo Jima, graduated from North Texas State University before beginning a career in the oil industry. While working outside of Livingston, he met the love of his life, Dorothy. The couple moved frequently to different oil company towns across Texas before settling in Dayton in 1962.
From that point forward, the Goulders became devoted supporters of Dayton’s youth and high school sports programs. They remained active in the community for decades, attending countless games and cheering on generations of Bronco athletes.
Wendell Neal
Wendell Neal was also inducted, honored for both his time as a Dayton athlete and his decades-long career supporting collegiate athletics across the country.
Neal was a two-sport letterman for the Broncos in baseball and golf, and also served as the student manager for Dayton’s athletic programs — a role that would shape the course of his professional life. His experience as student manager prepared him for a 40-year career in athletic equipment management at the collegiate level.
He began his career at the University of Houston, later working at Sam Houston State University and the University of Washington before spending 25 years as associate athletic director at the University of Arizona.
“Wherever he went, whether it’s at Houston or Huntsville, Washington, Arizona, he was bleeding that purple, always supporting the Dayton Broncos and athletes in Dayton,” Wadzeck said.
The 1978 Girls’ Track Team
The 1978 Dayton High School Girls’ Track Team was also honored as one of the new inductees into the Sports Hall of Fame. The team’s success that season set a high standard for athletic excellence in Dayton’s history.
In seven meets, the talented group placed first in five — including the district championship — second in one, and third in another. The team’s dominance reflected the strength, dedication and teamwork of its members, who consistently performed at the top of their events.
“This was an outstanding collection of young ladies with great athletic ability,” Wadzeck said, noting that the team collected a large number of district medals, sending several athletes on to compete at the regional and state levels, where they earned one individual state championship.
Dr. Jessica Johnson
The final recognition of the morning went to former Dayton ISD Superintendent Dr. Jessica Johnson, whose support made a lasting impact on the Sports Hall of Fame itself. Johnson was instrumental in providing a home for the ever-growing Hall of Fame at Nottingham Elementary, ensuring that Dayton’s athletic history would be preserved and accessible for future generations.
Wadzeck praised her contributions, saying, “We wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for Jessica. She’s always been a cheerleader. She’s been an outstanding board member, a tireless worker for our organization. And like I said, she’s the reason we’re here.”
