Legendary American backstroker Aaron Peirsol has been selected for induction into the 2016 Texas Athletics Men’s Hall of Honor Class – the 60th such class in school history. Andrea Hayes, a member of the women’s swim team, has been inducted into the 17th Women’s Hall of Honor Class.
Texas, which has separate Halls of Honor for men and women (in parallel to separate Athletics Directors for men’s and women’s programs), has announced 13 student-athletes and staff members that will be inducted this October.
Peirsol, who swam at Texas from 2002-2004, is chief among them for fans of this site. He turned pro after just two seasons with the Longhorns, though he would later graduate in 2006.
In his two years with the Longhorns, Peirsol won 6 NCAA event championships, and all-told has 5 Olympic gold medals and 9 World Championship gold medals. He remains the World Record holder in the 200 meter backstroke (1:51.92) in long course meters and as part of the United States’ 2009 World Championship medley relay.
Hayes was a 16-time All-American in four seasons from 1986-1990 and a part of three NCAA team championships. She was a member of the 1988 U.S. olympic Team and still ranks in the top-10 all-time in Texas history in both the 500 and 1650 freestyles.
Peirsol becomes the 18th swimmer inducted into the Men’s Hall of Honor and Hayes becomes the 13th swimmer into the Women’s Hall of Honor.
The full list of inductees (click here to read more about each):
- LaMarcus Aldridge, Basketball (2004-2006)
- John Bianco, Texas Media Relations (1992-present)
- Jimmy Blacklock, Basketball (1971-1972)
- Edna Campbell, Basketball (1989-1991)
- Michelle Carter, Track & Field (2004-2007)
- Leonard Davis, Football (1997-2000)
- Andrea Hayes, Swimming (2986-1990)
- Davis Love, Jr., Golf (1953-1955)
- Lucie Ludvigova Schmidhauser, Tennis (1993-1995)
- Buddy New, Jr., Baseball (1961-1963)
- Aaron Peirsol, Swimming (2002-2004)
- Aaron Ross, Football (2003-2006)
- Terri Turner, Track & Field (1983-1986)
Well deserved