COMMERCE, Texas -- Dwight White, a two-time All-American and four-year letterwinning defensive tackle for the Lions, has been selected as a member of the Lone Star Conference's Hall of Honor, announced today by league officials.
White joins Texas A&M-Kingsville's Roberto Garza and Eastern New Mexico's Jennifer Goble Poyer as the three members of the 2011 LSC Hall of Honor. White also becomes the 10th Lion to be selected to the Hall of Honor, giving A&M-Commerce the second-most selections of any Lone Star Conference institution.
"The Hall of Honor is reserved for individuals who have brought pride and honor to the Conference, and certainly this year's class embodies that," said LSC Commissioner Stan Wagnon. "Dwight White and Roberto Garza are key figures in the LSC's tradition of football student-athletes who experience success in the Lone Star Conference before going on to become high-profile NFL players. Both men had the good fortune of playing in the Super Bowl. Jennifer Goble-Poyer will forever be one of the best athletes to compete in the LSC, having dominated on both the basketball and volleyball courts. Her efforts truly helped to increase the amount of attention and respect given to women's sports by those in and around the league."
White lettered all four years during his time at East Texas State from 1967-1970, helping lead the Lions to a share of the Lone Star Conference title in 1969. A two-time All-LSC selection at defensive tackle, White was an honorable mention NAIA and Associated Press All-American following the 1970 season.
A standout at Dallas Madison High School, White was a fourth-round selection of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1971 draft and played 10 years for the organization as part of the famed "Steel Curtain" defense.
A two-time Pro Bowl selection, he would help the Steelers to four Super Bowl victories and recorded the first points in Pittsburgh Super Bowl history, sacking Fran Tarkenton in the end zone for a safety in Super Bowl IX. He finished his playing days with 46 career sacks and was named to the Steelers All-Time Team in 1982 and 2007. White passed away due to complications with surgery in 2008.
Each of the inductees will receive the LSC's signature Hall of Honor award, a 15-inch custom-sculpted eagle figurine mounted on a cherry wood base. The awards for Garza, Poyer and White are to be presented this fall with ceremonies at each recipient's institution.
Texas A&M University-Commerce LSC Hall of Honor Inductees
Delmer Brown - 2000
Dr. Bill Crabtree - 2007
Ernest Hawkins - 2004
Dr. Jesse Hawthorne - 1996
Arthur James - 2008
Harvey Martin - 2010
Sam McCord - 2006
L.I. Smith - 2005
Dwight White - 2011
Wade Wilson - 2003
