UTA Holds Hall of Honor Ceremony

UT Arlington hosted its Hall of Honor ceremony this past Friday in the Bluebonnett room on campus, inducting Val Whitfield-Dunn, Elston Cawley, Hunter Pence, Mike Stamps, and the 1996-2000 Men's Track and Field teams.

The night, which included video tributes to each inductee, was also attended by several past inductees of the UTA Hall of Honor.

Val Whitfield-Dunn took the Southland Conference by storm during the 1990 season, picking up Southland Conference Volleyball Player of the Year honors during her freshman campaign with UT Arlington. Whitfield-Dunn, a three-time Southland Conference first team performer, will enter the UTA Hall of Honor as one of five Maverick players to end her career with 1,000 kills, 1,000 digs and 100 service aces. The Waller native has led a successful life after her time as a Maverick as she enters her 15th year as the head volleyball coach at Louise S. McGehee School in New Orleans, La. where she has guided the Hawks to three state championships and six state title match appearances.

"When I arrived on the campus of UTA, the campus itself was huge, but it was the people of UTA who amazed me and they still do to this day," Whitfield-Dunn said. "I felt truly like I was on the big screen. Upon reflection, my supporting cast members were the UTA community. Then and now UTA is made of wonderful people who are there to help you succeed."

Elston Cawley ended his illustrious career at UTA as the most decorated athlete in the track & field program's history. Cawley, who represented his native Jamaica in the 200 meters at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, was a seven-time All-American for the Mavericks under coach John Sauerhage.

The 1996-2000 men's track & field teams were also honored after having won four of the five indoor Southland Conference championships, a pair of outdoor league titles and the 1999 cross country crown.

"First of all I'd like to thank the selection committee for this induction," Cawley said. "I'd like to thank the UTA athletic department, coaching staff and athletic trainers who kept me healthy for most of my athletic career here. I'd also like to thank my teammates, a lot of whom are here tonight. Thank you for pushing me on the track and keeping me focused."

Hunter Pence, a three-time MLB All-Star and 2004 Southland Player of the Year, was honored with the induction just months after his second World Series title with the San Francisco Giants during the 2014 season. The Arlington High native hit .444 with five RBI in the seven-game series against Kansas City in the World Series with his best performance coming in a crucial Game 4 as he went 3-of-5 at the plate with one double and three RBI.

"He didn't miss tonight because he didn't want to be here," said Chris Gay, who accepted the award on behalf of Pence. "He told me he's behind schedule and needs to get ready for next season and that's what made him who he is and that's why he's going to be representing UTA for the rest of his life in this unbelievable atmosphere."

Mike Stamps enters the UTA Hall of Honor after picking up All-American and All-Southland Conference honors during his time donning a Maverick uniform. Stamps spent four years playing football for UTA and helped his team win the college division National Championship in 1967 when they beat North Dakota State 13-0 in the Pecan Bowl.

"This is a very special evening for me, to be here with my family, my friends and to be inducted into UTA's Hall of Honor," Stamps said. "I want to thank Jim Baker and Pete Carlon and their staff for just putting this evening together. My days at UTA had a major influence on my life."