2023 Hall of Honor Inductees
LEGACY MEMBERS
E.H. Hanby
Mesquite High School Alum & Benefactor
Considered to be the founding family of Mesquite, the Hanby name can be found on several MISD facilities, including E.H. Hanby Stadium. Eugene Haynes Hanby graduated from Mesquite High School in 1920, one year after his cousin and Hall of Honor class of 2020 inductee, John L. Hanby, was born. E.H. Hanby was a standout player and captain of the 1918 and 1919 Skeeter football teams. A long-time business and civic leader in Mesquite, he supported the district, especially Mesquite’s football team. He was a constant fixture on Friday nights, and in 55 years, Hanby missed only two football games – both on the road. Hanby served as the Skeeter Stadium announcer during the 1940s, and in 1970, the stadium was named in his honor. The Hanby reputation looms large in Mesquite, and Eugene Haynes Hanby was a significant benefactor in the foundation of MISD athletics.
COACHES
Rick GEER
Mesquite High School Head Baseball Coach
Rick Geer defines the phrase “Made in Mesquite.” A 1974 graduate of North Mesquite High School, he has played a significant role in the district’s history with the sport of baseball. An All-District catcher at North, Geer stayed close to home as he attended SMU and had a successful tenure as a second baseman for the Mustangs baseball team. He returned to Mesquite in 1982 as a coach for Mesquite High School. Over the next 17 years, Geer established a penchant for winning baseball, serving as head baseball coach for his alma mater in 1989 before returning to the Skeeters in 1990. For 10 seasons as head coach, he accumulated an impressive 235 wins, winning district coach of the year five times during that span. Geer led MHS to eight playoff appearances and five district championships. In his final year at the helm, the Skeeters made an impressive run in the playoffs, reaching the regional finals. Geer went on to Forney ISD as an administrator and served as head baseball coach at North Forney for one season.
Lisa Lisewsky
Poteet High School Head Volleyball Coach
Lisa Lisewsky is a winner. The most successful volleyball coach in district history spent 29 years on top. Arriving at Poteet in 1991, Lisewsky began her winning ways immediately and received nominations to be the Texas Girls Coaches Association (TGCA) all-star coach only three years into the job. Her teams won district several times and were UIL Regional Runners-Up in 2000. Lisewsky was named district Coach of the Year nine times and was selected as TGCA all-star coach in 2006. She served on the TGCA All-State committee three times and, in 2014, received the honor of DFW clinic coach of the year. A gifted coach in track and field, she also had the opportunity to speak several times at state and national clinics on both volleyball and track. In 2017, Lisewsky earned her 600th head coach win, averaging 23 wins per season during her 29-year career as head coach.
PLAYERS
Terri PORTER
North Mesquite High School Basketball (Class of 1986)
The list of accolades is long for Terri Porter. Described as a “scoring machine” by legendary coach and fellow Hall of Honor inductee Donna Capps, Porter had the respect of everyone on the basketball court. Exploding onto the scene in 1983, she was named the district Sophomore of the Year. Over her junior and senior years, Porter led the Lady Stallions to playoff appearances and earned herself spots on several all-tournament teams. As a senior, she was the Dallas Morning News Offensive Player of the Year and was ranked 52nd in the nation in free throw percentage. Upon graduation, Porter attended McLennan Community College before transferring to Texas Wesleyan in 1988, where she was First-Team All-Conference and Second-Team NAIA All-American. Porter ended her playing career at East Texas State University (now known as Texas A&M-Commerce) but continued to make a difference in the sport as she coached in many districts, including Mesquite, Frisco and currently in Junction.
Clint Hallum
Poteet High School Swimming (Class of 2007)
No aquatic athlete had reached the pinnacle of state champion in Mesquite until Clint Hallum came along. A lifelong competitive swimmer, he was an All-American in all four seasons at Poteet High School. His sophomore season saw him finish third and fourth in the 200 and 500-meter freestyles, respectively. He upped his time in his junior season, taking home the silver medals in both events in 2006. As a senior, he made his impressive third consecutive appearance at the state meet, yet this time, he took home gold in both events, boasting a nine-second victory in the 500 freestyle. Outside of school, Hallum was a USA Swimming Academic All-American and team captain, winning the Junior National Championship with his Dallas Mustangs club team in 2007. This success led to him being named the Texas 4A Swimmer of the Year and earned him a scholarship to Louisiana State University, where he served as the team’s co-captain in his senior year. Hallum still holds the school record in the 800-meter freestyle relay.
Ashley Norris
Poteet High School Basketball (Class of 1995)
The history of girls’ basketball at Poteet High School could not be told without Ashley Norris. A sharpshooter from deep and a scorer from anywhere, Norris holds several high school and collegiate records. Starting all four years for the Pirates, Norris improved every season. As a sophomore, she won District Defensive Player of the Year and matched that success on the other side of the ball as a junior, winning District Offensive Player of the Year. She wrapped up her high school career by earning a spot on the All-State team and was named the District Player of the Year. A skilled volleyball player as well, Norris started for fellow nominee Lisa Lisewsky’s team in her freshman and sophomore seasons. To this day, Norris is Poteet’s all-time leader in points, steals and assists. Upon graduation, she attended the University of North Texas, where she excelled academically and athletically. Starting her entire career at North Texas, Norris holds the school record for 3-point field goals made and was named an Academic All-District.
Stan Singleton
Mesquite High School Football (Class of 1974)
Stan Singleton never left the field. The Skeeters’ talented playmaker was so valuable to the team that they played him on both sides of the ball for just about every snap. Singleton was a skilled receiver on offense and a ballhawk on defense, scoring and making plays for the Skeeters throughout his tenure in Mesquite. During his senior year in 1974, he and fellow inductee and quarterback Mike Ford led the school to its first district title since Singleton’s father had won it in 1941. Success didn’t stop there, as the team became the first in MISD history to reach a state championship game. Still, to the present day, Singleton’s 1974 team is one of only two MISD squads to reach the state game. He was named a Parade All-American and was heavily recruited coming out of high school. Despite offers from the likes of Jimmie Johnson at the University of Arkansas, Singleton went on to play defensive back for the University of Texas. Singleton’s legacy as an unyielding, hard-working athlete lives on in Mesquite High School’s program.
TEAMS
2010 Poteet HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
State Semifinalist
The 2010 Poteet football team surprised everyone. The program had been suffering, winning only one game in the previous two years leading up to the 2010 season. Seeking a change, MISD hired Head Coach Randy Jackson to take over, who would go on to transform a winless Pirates squad into a perennial playoff team. Led by quarterback Beau Nowell and captain wide receiver Justin Velasquez, the Pirates got out to a hot start, defeating Red Oak in a thrilling overtime game that solidified the notion that the Pirates had arrived. But perhaps the most significant win of the season came in the playoffs against Texas powerhouse Highland Park. The teams met at Cowboys Stadium and played a close game until the 3rd quarter, when Poteet scored 21 points and ran away with the game, beating Highland Park for the first time in school history. The Pirates would go on to play the defending champions, Aledo, in the state semifinals after predictions declared they wouldn’t make it out of the first round. A hard-fought contest saw Poteet lose to Aledo by two, who went on to blow out their opponent in the state championship game. The 2010 squad revived the program and helped launch a decade of deep playoff runs.
West Mesquite HIGH SCHOOL Girls Basketball
Regional Finalists (2011/2012)
The 2011 and 2012 West Mesquite girls' basketball teams created a culture. Helmed by new head coach Darrin Samuels, the two teams put together a combined 49-15 record and achieved success the district hadn’t seen in two decades. The 2010-11 season saw the Wranglers take first in district and advance further than any of their predecessors. They took the state by surprise as they knocked number one ranked Frisco Wakeland out of the playoffs, becoming Regional Finalists for the first time in the school’s history. Finishing the season with a top 10 state ranking, the Wranglers opened the 2011-12 year as preseason number one. Eventual NCAA Tournament player Claudia Price led the way for the Wranglers, and the team strung together a win streak of 15 games, beating the likes of Highland Park and Lancaster along the way. The team made the regional tournament for the second year in a row, losing a close game to Rockwall in the final. The tenacity and winning mindset of the 2011 and 2012 WMHS girls' teams showcased what the athletic program in Mesquite ISD could accomplish.