TJC Sports Circle of Honor Inductee Jeff Hoefler (center) with Dr. Tim Drain (left) and Dr. L. Michael Metke (right). (Don Spivey/FocusInOn.me)

There was a Wildcat, two Tigers, a Privateer, a Razorback, a Seahawk and an Aztec on the Tyler Junior College campus.

But for this day, they were all Apaches.

TJC inducted seven new members into their Sports Circle of Honor during a banquet on Saturday in the Apache Room of the Rogers Student Center.

The 2018 Class included: Ray Anders (tennis, 1976-78); Billy Wayne Andrews (posthumous recognition) (football player, 1951-53; football coach 1968-77); Jonathan Groth (baseball coach, 1992-2009); Jeff Hoefler (baseball, 1997-99); Paul Johns (football, 1977-79), Dorota Wozniak Miller (tennis, 1995-1997) and Aiysha Smith Spears (women’s basketball, 2000-01).

There were smiles, laughter, tears, emotional moments and, of course, stories.

Dr. L. Michael Metke, TJC Chancellor and CEO, noted that to be inducted into the Circle of Honor, it takes a combination of traits — achievement in intercollegiate athletics, their professional accomplishments and their personal integrity.

Johns, who now works for the Seattle Seahawks organization, said, “There’s a program called Last Chance U. on TV, but that’s not what Tyler Junior College is. TJC and Coach Andrews gave me my first opportunity and Coach (Charlie) McGinty gave me my second opportunity. TJC is not a last chance, it is a new beginning.”

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll insisted Johns attend the ceremony even though the club has a home game on Sunday. The NFL club sent placards for the program congratulating Johns, noting, “You excelled in athletics and continue to make an impact on the lives of others.”

The other inductees echoed his thoughts.

Smith Spears, who is married to former Dallas Cowboy and current SEC Network broadcaster Marcus Spears, said her husband was at the Kentucky-Georgia game, but added she will make sure he knows all about the ceremony.

“I will now get to show Marcus my gold jacket,” Smith Spears said. “I went in the first round (WNBA) before him (NFL) and now I have this.”

All the inductees were presented a gold jacket and an etching of themselves from their playing days.

Here are some of their accomplishments:

Anders — NJCAA All-America tennis player; played for the University of Kentucky and was MVP his junior season; resides in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and is a tennis professional.

Andrews — Played in 1952 Junior Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, where he returned the opening kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown; All-America in 1952; led TJC to a record of 46-15-1 and four conference titles as head coach.

Groth — Brought the TJC baseball program back after a 15-year hiatus; led the Apaches to the 2007 NJCAA Division III national championship; recruited and developed more than 150 four-year level players; sent 30 players into professional baseball. Since 2012 he has coached Athletes in Action in the Alaska Baseball League. He played for AIA when he combined “my love for baseball with my love of the Lord.”

Hoefler — Becomes the first baseball player inducted; was TJC’s first baseball NJCAA All-American and first academic All-American; went on to play at the University of Arkansas; resides in Houston and is Director of Technical Accounting and SEC Reporting.

Johns — After standout career with TJC, Johns played at Tulsa; he signed as an undrafted free agent by the Seattle Seahawks; earned most improved Seahawk in 1982, caught a TD pass in Seattle’s first playoff victory in 1983 and played in the AFC championship game; named the Seahawks Man of the Year in 1983 for his outstanding work in the community; and has worked 20 years for the Seahawks and currently serves as Director of Youth & High School Football Programs and oversees the team’s relationship with USA Football and NFL Flag Football.

Miller — Recruited by John Peterson from Montreal, Wozniak Miller was a two-time NJCAA All-American and two-time NJCAA Player of the Year; played at San Diego State; came back to Tyler and married husband Gary Miller and they have twin daughters; also involved with her favorite ministries and organizations, Christian Homes, Family Services and The Women’s Fund.

Spears — At TJC was Region XIV MVP and NJCAA All-America and NJCAA All-Tournament; led TJC to fifth in the nation; played for LSU where she was a two-time All-SEC player; drafted seventh overall by the WNBA’s Washington Mystics; holds real estate license; and Smith Spears and Spears have three children. 

Bill Coates, KTBB Sports Director and TJC alum, served as master of ceremonies. Danny Palmer, TJC head football coach, gave the invocation and Dr. Tim Drain, associate vice provost for Student Affairs, provided the state of TJC athletics, noting the team has 60 national championships, which is second in the nation.

A number of previous inductees were in attendance, including Harry Bostic, Judy Clardy, Robert Cox, Fred Kniffen, Jimmy Murphy, C.L. Nix, John Peterson, Herb Richardson, Janet Scholl and Delton Wright.