Notable Alumni
- Billy Sims-(born September 18, 1955 in St. Louis, Missouri) is a former college football and NFL running back. He won the Heisman Trophy in 1978. In the eighth grade he moved to Hooks, Texas, to live with his grandmother. In three years of varsity football at Hooks High School, he rushed 1,128 times (a state record at the time, currently second behind Robert Strait) for 7,738 yards, including 441 carries in 1973 (another state record at the time, currently tied for second behind Ketric Sanford). He continues to hold the state record for most consecutive games with 100 yards or more, 38 (1972-1974). In 1975, he was recruited to the University of Oklahoma by Barry Switzer. After injuries kept him out of the line-up for most of his freshman and half of his sophomore seasons (rushing for only 545 yards in two seasons plus one game of 1976), in his junior season he cut loose, picking up 1,762 yards on 231 carries for an amazing average of 7.6 yards per carry (160.1 yards and 10.9 points per-game) for the regular season.
- Dave Richard Palmer- General of the Army, OFFICER…EDUCATOR…AUTHOR Lieutenant General Dave Palmer (RET), Hooks High School graduate of 1952, has been selected as the first Hooks Distinguished Alumnus. Born in Ada, Oklahoma during the height of the Dust Bowl in 1934, he grew up in New York and Texas. He graduated from Hooks High School, class of 1952, where he participated in football, basketball, and numerous activities. According to the Hornet’s Nest ’52, Dave’s nickname was “The Wheel” because he was known as the big cog around campus. Palmer served two tours in Vietnam, a total of eight years with combat arms units in NATO and six years at Fort Hood, a total of 15 years in troop assignments. He has commanded at levels from platoon through the First Armored Division and served five years in political-military affairs positions in the Pentagon. He served continuously for nearly the entire span of the Cold War, from 1956 until 1991, rising through the ranks from 2nd lieutenant to lieutenant general. General Palmer experienced similar success educating military personnel beginning as an instructor in 1966 at the US Military Academy culminating in Superintendent of the Military Academy at West Point in 1986 until 1991. Areas of lecture include leadership, ethics, military history and character development. General Palmer has also served as the President of Waldon University and CEO of Waldon E-Learning; an institution dedicated to providing graduate-level education and professional development to adult learners.Palmer authored several books, and is recognized as a leading military historian. He has commentated on various television programs, including PBS, A&E, and The History Channel. He received a Honorary Doctorate from Duke University in 1989. Further, Palmer was designated a Distinguished Honor Graduate of West Point in 2005 and an Outstanding Alumnus of the Army War College in 2007.
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Famous quotes containing the word notable:
“In one notable instance, where the United States Army and a hundred years of persuasion failed, a highway has succeeded. The Seminole Indians surrendered to the Tamiami Trail. From the Everglades the remnants of this race emerged, soon after the trail was built, to set up their palm-thatched villages along the road and to hoist tribal flags as a lure to passing motorists.”
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