July 18, 2006

ABILENE, Texas - Hardin-Simmons' Athletic Hall of Fame Committee has elected four new players into the HSU Athletic Hall of Fame and they will be inducted in a ceremony on Oct. 27 at the Johnson Building on the HSU campus as part of Homecoming festivities.

Kevin Beam, Chester Lyssy, Eugene McCollum and Bill Herring received the nod for the Hall of Fame this season.

Below is a brief biography on each of the four inductees.

Kevin Beam

Football

1990-94

Houston, Texas

Beam is far and away the most productive quarterback in the new era of Hardin-Simmons football and is also the first player under Jimmie Keeling to earn a spot in the hall. Beam still holds the career marks for passes attempted (802), passes completed (533), passing yards 6,619 and touchdown passes (62). He still holds the school record for passing yards in a game (541) vs. Lambuth in the1994 playoffs. He also owns the school mark for attempts and completions in a season. He was a first-team All-American as a senior and he led the Cowboys into the playoffs three times, including the NAIA Semifinals in 1993. Beam was named first-team all-conference in 1993 and second-team in 1992 and 1994. He posted a 26-8 mark in his three years as the Cowboy starter.He was also a three-time academic all-conference selection and was twice an academic All-American. He is now a successful veterinarian with his own practice.

Chester Lyssy

Basketball, 1950; Track, 1950; Football, 1950-54

San Antonio, Texas

Lyssy was a talented athlete from San Antonio. He was named second-team All-Border Conference three years in a row as an offensive end. He was also a safety on defense and earned second-team All-Border honors on that side of the ball one time. Lyssy also returned kicks for the Cowboys. He had 98 catches for 1,208 yards and nine touchdowns. He also had a then-school record of 17 interceptions in just three years of varsity action. Lyssy also competed on the basketball and track teams for one season.

Eugene McCollum

Football, Basketball, Track and Field 1930-34

Estelline

A multi-talented athlete, he earned nine varsity letters; three in football, four in basketball, and two in track and field. He was selected to the All-Conference Basketball Team all four years. In 1932-33 he set a single game scoring record of 33 points against Austin College. During his four years, the Cowboys went 53-19 and were Texas Conference Champions three years and runner-up the fourth. In 1933-34, the Cowboys set a new game scoring record against Austin College by reeling off 85 points. In football, McCollum played halfback his sophomore and junior years and fullback his senior year. He was an all-purpose competitor in track and field. He competed in the 440-dash, 880-dash, highjump and won the Texas conference in 1933 in the javelin with a throw of 149 feet and 6 inches.

Bill Herring

Tennis, 1953-56

San Angelo, Texas

A great tennis player, he was member of the first Border Conference championship team in 1954 where he won the Class "B" singles title. He and partner, Donnie Campbell, won the Class "B" doubles title. In 1956, he moved up to the Class "A" division at the conference meet and also won that title. He was a three year letterman for the Cowboys.