The Lea County Museum, in Lovington, inducted three high-achievers into its Sports Hall of Fame earlier this month. Guy Allen, renowned rodeo champion — Bob Jackson, revered track athlete and coach — Adrianne Ross, outstanding basketball player — are the 2021 inductees into the Lea County Museum Sports Hall of Fame.
The three were honored surrounded by area dignitaries, family and friends at a special ceremony and dinner held at the museum’s Lister Building on December 2.
Guy Allen – Rodeo
Well known by area folks, Allen is a cowboy of world fame. In addition to his induction into the Lea County Museum Sports Hall of Fame, Allen has been inducted into nine rodeo halls of fame and is a ProRodeo Hall of Fame Cowboy. He has won the PRCA World Championship in steer roping 18 times, including 11 times consecutively from 1991-2001.
The ProRodeo Hall of Fame, into which Allen was inducted in 1996, comments that his peers call him “The Legend”.
Guy joined the Professional Cowboys Association in 1976. Between 1977 and 2016 he qualified for 33 National Finals in Steer Roping. He has won 48 NFSR “go-rounds” and five NFSR “average titles”.
Allen’s statement about himself sums up why the world of rodeo and its extended family consider him to be such a “legend”.
“To me, what is important is to live a life where I’m a good husband, a good dad, a good person, and an honest person who can help somebody. I would like to be known as one of the best steer ropers ever, but championships don’t automatically do that. I want to be known for doing my best, for really trying hard on every turn.”
Bob Jackson – Cross Country & Coach
Known as a star teacher and track and cross country coach, Jackson legacy is well embedded in Lea County, as well as in points beyond. He has worked with both male and female athletes at area high schools and colleges.
Jackson holds the prestigious honor of being named the 2000 Cross Country Coach of the Year, and in 2017 he was the New Mexico High School Coaches Association’s (NMHSCA) nominee for Boys’ Cross Country National Coach of the Year.
He has worked with the Lovington Wildcats, the Jal Panthers and the Hobbs Eagles, as well as with the New Mexico Junior College Thunderbirds.
Adrianne Ross – Basketball
Basketball, as well as volleyball and track, make up the repertoire of this outstanding Hobbs native.
After high school Adrianne attended Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, graduating in 2008. Considered one of the school’s basketball greats, she was inducted into the TCU Hall of Fame in 2018.
Her resume includes 10 years playing professional basketball overseas and “a stint in the WNBA with the San Antonio Silver Stars.” Ross had members of the New Mexico Zias, a youth basketball organization in Hobbs, join her on stage.
Lea County Museum Sports Hall of Fame
The museum’s Sports Hall of Fame was established in 2008 to recognize outstanding local athletes. Residents are encouraged to nominate for induction area athletes who are worthy.
The concept for the Sports Hall of Fame grew out of a tradition established by early settlers to the Llano Estacado.
When these people came together to celebrate, to hear a traveling preacher or to attend a dance, a sports activity of some type always evolved.
Children would play baseball using “a stick and ball made from a piece of cloth wrapped around a rock,” says the museum’s website. “Old cow-pokes would be talking about the meanest bronc they had broken, the fastest horse they had ridden, or their skill at roping.”
Through the years Lea County has produced many outstanding athletes, and the museum’s Sports Hall of Fame provides the proper outlet for honoring them and keeping their memories alive.
The Lea County Museum is known as “the Biggest Little Museum in the West” It is located at 103 South Love Street in Lovington and is open Tuesday – Saturday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.
The museum is the perfect place to learn about “the rich history of Lea County and the surrounding areas of Eastern New Mexico and West Texas.”
