Thirteen former University of Texas student-athletes and one former UT System administrator will be inducted this September into the Texas Athletics Hall of Honor. The induction banquet for the 2019 class is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 30.
That class includes Orange’s own Andre Robertson. Robertson was a trailblazer for The University of Texas baseball program, becoming the first African American to earn a baseball scholarship at the school when he enrolled in the fall of 1976. He was a standout infielder for three seasons with the Longhorns, lettering each year from 1977-79. After injuries limited him during the first half of his freshman campaign — playing in just 36 of UT’s 62 games that season — Robertson went on to hold down the Longhorns’ starting second baseman position for his final two seasons in 1978 and 1979. Known best for his spectacular play on defense, Robertson hit .281 (125-of-444) with 74 runs scored, 74 RBI, 15 stolen bases and nine home runs in 146 games over three seasons. During that time, Texas posted a 144-33 (.814) record, including 55 wins in 1979, and 53 in 1977. Robertson shared the team lead in doubles in 1978, and his 50 hits that year were second-best among the Longhorns. In 1979, he helped lead UT to a 55-8 record, the Southwest Conference regular season and tournament titles and a fourth-place finish at the College World Series before being drafted and heading to professional baseball.
Other inductees include:
Derrick Johnson-football
Brian Orakpo-football
Seth Johnson-baseball
Ragan Gennusa-football (from Port Arthur)
Bryant Westbrook-football
Brian Robison-football
Denise LaKeisha Backus-track
Sandy Sureephong Blanton-tennis
Mashevet Hooker Flintall-track
Nancy Hager Hale-golf
Patty Sabo Karsten-swimming
Danielle Viglione-basketball
Don Evans
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