The Texas Panhandle has long been home to athletes, coaches, and sports figures whose accomplishments have stretched far beyond the region. From football stadiums and basketball courts to golf courses and national championships, generations of competitors from the Panhandle have built a proud sports tradition rooted in excellence, toughness, and community pride.
That legacy will once again be celebrated when Kids, Inc. hosts the 68th annual Texas Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame ceremonies on June 7 at the Amarillo Civic Center’s Grand Plaza. The annual event not only honors the newest Hall of Fame inductees, but also recognizes the top athletes, coaches, teams, and inspirational figures from across the region.
This year’s Hall of Fame class reflects the broad reach of Panhandle athletics, featuring standout achievements in football, basketball, and golf. The 2026 inductees — Harold Lewis, Sherwin Cox, Teresa Tinner, and Ryan Palmer — each left a lasting imprint on their respective sports while representing the Panhandle with distinction on local, collegiate, and professional stages.
Among the most celebrated names in the class is Ryan Palmer, whose professional golf career elevated him into national prominence while never losing touch with his Amarillo roots. Palmer’s journey began on local courses, where he developed his game through junior clinics and tournaments organized by fellow inductee Sherwin Cox at Ross Rogers Golf Course.
Palmer emerged as one of Amarillo High School’s top golfers before continuing his career at Texas A&M University. From there, his rise through professional golf was steady and impressive. After success on developmental tours, Palmer earned his PGA Tour card in 2004 and spent more than two decades competing against the world’s best players.
His career accomplishments are remarkable by any standard. Palmer captured four PGA Tour victories, competed in 30 major championships, and qualified for The Masters seven times. He earned nearly $34 million during his professional career while making more than 300 cuts on tour. His best major finish came at the 2014 PGA Championship, where he finished fifth, and he also recorded a top-10 finish at Augusta National in 2011.
Beyond the numbers, Palmer’s career symbolizes what is possible for athletes from the Panhandle. He also used his platform to give back through the Ryan Palmer Foundation, supporting breast cancer initiatives and dental care programs for children.
While Palmer became one of the biggest names in professional golf, Sherwin Cox spent decades shaping the game at the local level.
Cox’s introduction to golf came as a fifth grader caddying at Pampa Country Club. What began as a childhood opportunity eventually turned into a lifelong career dedicated to growing the sport in Amarillo and throughout the region.
Over nearly five decades in golf, Cox became one of the area’s most respected professionals. He served as golf pro at Ross Rogers Golf Course and later as director of golf operations for the City of Amarillo. During his tenure, he promoted course improvements, organized tournaments, expanded junior golf opportunities, and helped make the game more accessible to everyday players.
His influence extended well beyond Amarillo. Cox earned multiple honors from PGA organizations across Texas and served for nearly two decades on the North Texas PGA board, including one year as president.
Perhaps his greatest contribution, however, came through mentorship. Generations of young golfers benefited from Cox’s clinics and instruction, including Palmer himself. The connection between the two inductees highlights the impact coaches and mentors can have on shaping athletic success across generations.
Football fans in the Panhandle will also remember the accomplishments of Harold Lewis, whose athletic career began during one of the most successful eras in Pampa High School sports history.
Lewis starred in multiple sports for the Harvesters during the 1950s, contributing to a state championship basketball team while also excelling in track and football. On the football field, he became one of the region’s top players, earning all-state honors and serving as co-captain during his senior season.
His talent led him to the University of Houston, where he became a key contributor before advancing to professional football. Lewis was selected in the seventh round of the 1959 NFL Draft by the defending world champion Baltimore Colts and later played for the Buffalo Bills, Oakland Raiders, and a Canadian Football League team in Montreal.
Lewis eventually returned to Pampa and built a successful career away from athletics, but his sports legacy remained an important chapter in Panhandle history. His induction recognizes not only his athletic achievements, but also the era of excellence that helped define Pampa athletics during the 1950s.
Basketball standout Teresa Tinner rounds out the Hall of Fame class after helping establish one of the greatest eras in West Texas State women’s basketball history.
Known by many fans as “Triple T,” Tinner became one of the most complete players in Lady Buffs history thanks to her scoring ability, rebounding dominance, and defensive intensity.
After developing as an athlete in Tulia and Amarillo, Tinner joined the Lady Buffs program in the mid-1980s under legendary coach Bob Schneider. Alongside a talented core that included Vanessa Wells, Von Tucker, and Angela Seay, Tinner helped transform West Texas State into a national powerhouse.
During her four-year career, the Lady Buffs compiled a stunning 116-10 record while making deep postseason runs year after year. The team reached the NCAA Division II national semifinals during her freshman season and advanced to the national championship game the following year.
Individually, Tinner became one of the program’s most decorated players. She earned Kodak All-America honors in 1989 and finished her career as the school’s all-time leading rebounder. Decades later, her accomplishments remain among the greatest in school history.
Her impact on Panhandle athletics has also continued through family. Her daughter, Jade, later starred at Canyon High School before continuing her own collegiate basketball career.
While the Hall of Fame inductees will headline the June ceremonies, the event will also spotlight many of today’s rising stars across Panhandle athletics.
Athletes and coaches of the year will be honored, recognizing excellence from programs throughout the region. State champions, national champions, special award winners, and inspirational figures will also receive recognition for their accomplishments during the 2025-2026 school year.
The annual Hall of Fame ceremonies have become more than a celebration of athletic achievement. They serve as a reminder of how deeply sports are woven into the identity of the Texas Panhandle. Whether competing on local fields or national stages, the athletes honored each year represent the work ethic, resilience, and pride that define the region.
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