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WHITEHOUSE — C.L. Nix, a pillar of the community and an icon in Texas High School basketball and education, was honored on Friday by the City of Whitehouse and Whitehouse ISD.

Last May, Nix, a legendary basketball coach, was inducted posthumously into the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame during a ceremony in San Antonio.

Whitehouse Mayor James Wansley declared Friday C.L. Nix Hall of Fame Day. He read the proclamation on Coach Nix’s namesake gymnasium, C.L. Nix Wildcat Arena.

It was a night to celebrate Coach Nix’s contributions to Whitehouse ISD and his impact on Texas high school basketball.

Many of Nix’s former players and his family gathered at mid-court.

Former Whitehouse ISD Superintendent and Wildcat player under Nix, Dr. Christopher Moran, who is now the San Angelo Superintendent, spoke of Coach Nix’s impact on Whitehouse and all Wildcats.

His brother, Congressman Nathaniel Moran, who also played for Coach Nix, had a video message praising Coach Nix.

Two of Coach Nix’s great grandchildren Olivia and Gregory, who attend Whitehouse schools, presented the Hall of Fame plaque to current Whitehouse basketball coach Brent Kelley.

Coach Nix, who passed away in 2020, was at the helm at Whitehouse High School for 30 years. During that span, he had a record of 715-232, including 26 seasons with more than 20 wins. He led the Wildcats to three state tournament appearances in 1972, 1978 and 1979, winning the state championship in 1978 with a 36-1 record. The Whitehouse High School gym is named in his honor.

Coach Nix’s Whitehouse teams won 18 district titles and made seven appearances in the regional tournament. He was recognized in 1988 by the Texas High School Coaches Association as being the third winningest active coach in Texas.

He also coached his sons, Cary and Jamie, on the Wildcats’ state championship team.

Nix played for legendary basketball coach Floyd Wagstaff at Tyler Junior College from 1952-54 where he was All-America. He was inducted into the TJC Circle of Honor in 2008. Coach Nix graduated from Laneville High School in 1952. After TJC, Nix played basketball at Stephen F. Austin State University. Nix met his wife Peggy Shira at TJC. He was All-Lone Star Conference and All-America for the Lumberjacks.

The Nixes have an endowed scholarship at TJC — C.L. and Peggy Nix Endowed Scholarship. The scholarship is given to a graduate of Whitehouse High School. Priority consideration is given to deserving students according to character, scholastic achievement and need. Mrs. Nix, who worked at General Electric/Trane for 41 years, passed away in 2017.

Along with sons Cary and Jamie, the Nixes had daughters Jan Nix Cook and Cyndi Nix Hendrix. There are eight grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

Mrs. Cook and husband Louis reside in Montgomery. They have two sons — Russell and wife Casey who live in Frisco, and Kevin and wife Hannah live in Houston with daughter Melodee.

Mrs. Hendrix and husband Joe live in Troup. Their son Chris Reisor and wife Sara live in Schertz with two children Cole and Audrey, and daughter Amanda Reisor Nielsen and husband Eric reside in Whitehouse with three children Olivia, Gregory and Elijah.

Cary Nix and wife Sharon live in Tyler. Son Chad and wife Emily live in Tyler with three daughters, Addison, Asher and Chaney Rose. Son Jordan and wife Kari live in Arp with two children, Kynlee and Jaxden.

Jamie Nix and wife Shirley live in Arp. They have two children James and Caitlin.