Published: September 03, 2009 12:48 am      

Texas Sports Hall of Fame to induct Martin

COMMERCE — The Harvey Martin Classic is just around the corner and on Wednesday, the Texas Sports Hall of Fame induction committee announced the selection of Harvey Martin as a member of its Class of 2009 induction class.

"We are excited for the Martin family for this latest honor," said Texas A&M-Commerce athletic director Carlton Cooper. "The selection of Harvey Martin for induction into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame is another way for our university to recognize his honor and legacy."

Martin is already a member of the Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame and the athletic Hall of Fame at Texas A&M-Commerce. Among his other accomplishments, he was a NAIA All-American in 1972 and helped the Lions to the national championship. Martin was selected to the Lone Star Conference 75th Anniversary Football Team and was named LSC Defensive Player of the Decade for the 1970s.

He went on to play for the Dallas Cowboys from 1973-1983, where he was a four-time Pro Bowl selection (1976, 1977, 1978, 1979) and four time all-pro (1976, 1977, 1979, 1982). He was named to the 1970's NFL All-Decade Team. Martin was selected as the 1977 NFL Defensive Player of the Year and Co-MVP of Super Bowl XII along with Randy White.

Martin will be inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame along with Bud Adams, Lance Berkman, Lawrence Elkins, Burt Hooton, Chuck Howley, Tommy Kramer, Kim Mulkey, Dan Reeves and Max Williams.

The Harvey Martin Classic festivities begin at noon on Wednesday with a press conference in the flag room of Dallas City Hall. There will be a luncheon on Sept. 10 at the Westin City Center Hotel in Dallas with keynote speaker Rayfield Wright, a former teammate of Harvey Martin and 2004 inductee into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame. Brad Sham, voice of the Dallas Cowboys, will serve as the emcee of the luncheon.

Tickets for the luncheon are available for $100 and table sponsorships are available for $1,000 by contacting the A&M-Commerce Athletic Department.

The Golf Club at Castle Hills in Lewisville will hold a golf outing on Sept. 11 with a 7:30 a.m. shotgun start.

Festivities will conclude with a 2 p.m. tailgate party and 5 p.m. kickoff on Sept. 12 in the Cotton Bowl against Abilene Christian. Tickets for the game are available online at www.lionathleticstickets.com or by contacting the A&M-Commerce athletic department at 903-886-5558.