The Irving ISD Athletic Hall of Fame Committee is pleased to announce the Class of 2025.
The inductees are:
- Carrie Barton-Garten – Nimitz Swimmer
- Reginald Finch – MacArthur Football Player
- Terry Spradlin – Irving Basketball Coach
- John Randal “Randy” Stipes – Nimitz Student Trainer
The 2025 Hall of Fame inductees will be honored at a banquet on Saturday, May
3 at 6 PM at the Sheraton DFW Airport Hotel (4440 W. John Carpenter Fwy., Irving, TX 75063). Tickets are $30, and can be purchased at IrvingISD.net/Athletics. For sponsorship and/or additional ticket information, please contact the Irving ISD Athletic Department at 972.600.5215.
Since its inception in 2012, the Irving ISD Hall of Fame is designed to honor those who have contributed to athletic excellence throughout the history of Irving ISD. Read more about this year’s honorees below.
Carrie Barton Garten
Carrie Barton Garten’s remarkable athletic journey began in Irving ISD and culminated onto the world’s biggest stage – the Olympics. A proud product of Townley Elementary, Bowie Middle School and Nimitz High School, Carrie was a four-year Varsity swimmer whose relentless work ethic earned her All-District honors all four years, multiple MVP awards and several school records that still stand in the 500 Free, 200 IM and 200 Free. Her accomplishments elevated the Nimitz swim program and left a legacy for future athletes to follow.
After high school, Carrie pursued synchronized swimming with the Pirouettes of Texas and later moved to California to train with the world’s top club, ultimately earning a spot on the U.S. National Team. She represented the United States at the 1998 World Championships, Goodwill Games and 1999 Pan American Games. Her career peaked at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, where she placed 5th in Artistic Swimming. In 2008, Carrie was inducted into the USA Artistic Swimming Hall of Fame.
Beyond her athletic accolades, Carrie continues to inspire as a professional, a coach, a motivational speaker and a dedicated community volunteer. Her journey from Irving pools to the Olympic stage embodies the spirit, resilience and excellence that the Irving ISD Athletic Hall of Fame honors.
Reginald Finch
Reginald “Reggie” Finch is one of the most dominant running backs in Irving ISD history and a true legend in Texas high school football. A standout at MacArthur High School, Reggie made headlines as the only 5A player in state history to carry the ball 53 times in a single game – a feat that still ranks tied for 9th in Texas history. In 1988, his brilliance on the field earned him a spot as a Max Emfinger Blue Chip All-American and a SuperPrep All-American. He was named Dallas Morning News Offensive Player of the Year and received All-State, All-District and All-Metro honors. In addition, he was ranked in the top 100 college football prospects in the US for his class in 1988.
Reggie’s roots in Irving run deep. He began his athletic journey in 1978 with IBFA youth football and continued through Sam Houston Middle School, where he earned All-City honors. His athletic prowess captured the attention of scouts nationwide and placed him among the top 30 recruits in the country in 1988.
Today, Reggie continues to inspire as Assistant Director at Soul’s Harbor, a recovery community for homeless men, and a motivational speaker with Rock Bottom Outreach, giving back to the community that shaped him.
Terry Spradlin
The late Coach Terry Spradlin’s name is etched in Texas high school basketball history – not just for his 646 wins and multiple playoff appearances, but for the powerful relationships he forged along the way. Beginning his coaching career in Boyd, Texas, in 1971, Spradlin became the head girls’ basketball coach at Irving High School in 1983. Over 32 seasons, he led his teams to nine District Championships, 14 playoff runs, two State Final Four appearances and coached over 1,000 games.
More than the trophies and accolades, Coach Spradlin’s true impact was felt in the lives he touched. His mentorship extended far beyond the court, influencing generations of athletes and fellow coaches. He was known for his basketball brilliance, infectious laugh and life lessons that resonated long after the final buzzer. In 2004, he celebrated his 1,000th game with a victory over South Grand Prairie—a testament to his enduring excellence.
Even in his final days, Coach Spradlin’s humor and heart never faded. His legacy lives on through the players and coaches he shaped, and through the simple wisdom he shared – one example of many: “When in doubt…play basketball.”
John Randal “Randy” Stipes
John Randal “Randy” Stipes dedicated his life to supporting student-athletes and elevating athletic training in Texas. A proud graduate of the first class of Nimitz High School in 1972, Randy served as the student trainer for all sports – well before Irving ISD had a full-time athletic trainer. He attended Cramer Athletic Training Camp in Colorado during the summer while a student at Nimitz. This early dedication earned him an athletic scholarship to the University of Texas at Austin, where he became the first trainer to letter in UT history and worked directly with Heisman winner Earl Campbell. During his time at UT, Randy was a trainer at Westlake High School on Friday nights under former Irving High School football coach and fellow Irving ISD Athletic Hall of Famer, Ken Dabbs.
Randy’s professional journey started in Fort Stockton, where he became the first Head Athletic Trainer and was also assistant baseball coach, teacher and Academic Decathlon coach. After nine years, he returned to Irving, where he worked for the Dallas Cowboys as a scout and was selected to be the trainer for the McDonald’s All-Star Basketball game. He helped launch the Sandhills Athletic Training Clinic, worked in sales aiding schools in acquiring essential athletic supplies, trained future professionals and even served as a trainer on the set of “Friday Night Lights” and “One Heart,” filmed in Arlington.
Beyond sports, Randy served Irving as a School Board member, Irving Schools Foundation board member, community leader and advocate for student wellness.
The Irving ISD Athletic Hall of Fame also includes:
The 2024 Class:
- Brian Bosworth, MacArthur Athlete
- Jay Boulware, Nimitz Athlete
- Steve Grumbine, MacArthur Athlete
- Sam Morton, MacArthur Coach
- Wes Pyfer, Nimitz Coach
The 2023 Class:
- Suzie Oelschlegel, MacArthur Coach
- Chris Hall, Irving Athlete
- Terry Knouse, MacArthur Coach
- Rodrick Walker, Nimitz Athlete
The 2022 Class:
- Jim Hart, Irving Athlete
- Les Lancaster, Nimitz Athlete
- Don Reeves, Travis/MacArthur Coach
The 2020/2021 Class:
- Bruce Burns, Community Contributor
- Tom Ladusau, MacArthur Athlete and Nimitz Coach
- Tyson-Thompson: El, Irving Athlete
- Norman Watkins, Irving Athlete
The 2019 Class:
- Tony Arnold, Irving Athlete
- Joe Barnett, Coach
- Stan Cason, Stadium Announcer
- Glenn Sullivan, Irving Athlete
The 2018 Class:
- Ken Dabbs, Coach
- Barry Knott, Nimitz Athlete and Irving Coach
- Don Poe, Coach
- Mike Sartor, Coach
The 2017 Class:
- Brad Knouse, MacArthur Athlete
- Hobart Lytal, Coach
- Duane Miller, Irving Athlete
- Thomas Uhr, Coach
The 2016 Class:
- DeMarcus Faggins, Irving Athlete
- Kelvin Korver, Irving Athlete
- Ray Overton, Coach
- Morris Sloan, Coach and Irving Athlete
The 2015 Class:
- Jim Bennett, Coach
- Mike Phillips, MacArthur Athlete
- Bill Rutherford, Irving Athlete
- Kenny Walters, Irving Athlete
The 2014 Class:
- Brandel Chamblee, MacArthur Athlete
- Ruthie Lobb Davis, Irving Athlete
- Aaron De La Torre, Irving Athlete
- Margie Stipes, Community Contributor
- Randy Waldrum, MacArthur Athlete
- Murphy Webster, Coach
The 2013 Class:
- Michael Huff, Nimitz Athlete
- Kerry Cooks, Nimitz Athlete
- Joe Perryman, Coach
- Anne Uhr, Coach
- Joy and Ralph Ellis, Community Contributors
The 2012 Class:
- Akin Ayodele, MacArthur Athlete
- Cedric Colby, MacArthur Athlete
- Alan Lowry, Irving Athlete
- David Rose, Irving Athlete
- Deeanna Williams, Nimitz Athlete
- Mike Farda, Coach
- Bob Harrell, Coach and Athletic Director
- Dick Lear, Community Contributor
