2021 Hall of Honor Class Announced
5/21/2021 3:28:00 PM | General
HOUSTON – Seven former Houston student-athletes, the program's longtime athletics trainer and two key contributors will receive the University of Houston Athletics Department's highest honor with their induction into the Hall of Honor.
The 2021 Hall of Honor Gala and induction ceremony will take place on Sept. 17, 2021 at the Post Oak Hotel. The event will also celebrate "75 Year of Houston Athletics", which will be a year-long theme for the department. The gala will highlight the past championship success and provide a look into the future of Houston Athletics.
Stanley Floyd (men's track & field), Sancho Lyttle (women's basketball), Rayner Noble (baseball), Michael O'Shea (athletic training) Anastasia Pozdniakova (diving), Angel Shamblin (softball), Hal Underwood (men's golf), Billy Willingham (football) and Ron and Carolyn Yokubaitis (football; contributors) comprise the 2021 Hall of Honor Class.
Pricing for tickets, tables and sponsorship opportunities are available through Cougar Pride. For more information, please call Cougar Pride at (713) 743-4684 or email cougarpride@uh.edu.
Net proceeds benefit student-athlete scholarships through Cougar Pride, the fundraising arm of the Athletics Department. By purchasing a ticket or reserving a table, fans impact the lives of more than 400 student-athletes that represent the University of Houston.
The 2021 class marks the 22nd class inducted into the Hall of Honor and the 11th since the Hall was reintroduced in 1998. The current class will bring the membership to 112 individuals and two teams.
Stanley Floyd | Men's Track & Field (1982)
A two-time NCAA individual champion, Stanley Floyd's 1982 season with the Houston track and field program still stands as one of the best in school history. Floyd set the NCAA outdoor record with a time of 10.03 in the 100-meters to win the individual title in the event. He also was a key piece in Houston's 4x100 relay team that claimed the national title during 1982.
Floyd also put together an impressive indoor campaign that season, establishing world records at 50 yards (5.22), 60 yards (6.09) and at 55-meters (6.10). Before arriving at Houston, Floyd claimed the 100-meter crown at the 1980 USA Olympic Trials for the 1980 Olympic team but was unable to compete due to the U.S. Olympic Committee's boycott of the Summer Olympics in Moscow.
He is also a two-time 100-meter winner at the USA National Championships in 1980-81. At the conclusion of his UH career, Floyd also earned three All-America honors.
Sancho Lyttle | Women's Basketball (2004-05)
One of the most decorated players in UH women's basketball history, Sancho Lyttle concluded her Houston career as the 23rd member of the 1,000-point club, racking up 1,092 points in just two seasons. She appeared in 62 games for the Cougars, averaging 17.6 points and 10.7 rebounds.
A native of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Lyttle set the program record for single-season rebounding average (12.1), offensive rebounds (142) and total rebounds (362) during the 2004-05 season. She also is the program's career leader in rebounds per game (10.7).
She began her professional career with the Houston Comets (2005-08), and was the only Houston Comet still playing after being taken No. 1 overall by the Atlanta Dream in the dispersal draft following the 2008 season.
During her 15-year WNBA career, Lyttle made three WNBA Finals appearances with the Atlanta Dream. She averaged 8.9 points and 6.6 rebounds for her career and was named to the All-WNBA Defensive team four times. She was also a 2009 WNBA All-Star.
Rayner Noble | Baseball (1980-83 – Player; 1995-2010 – Head Coach)
A first-team All-American in 1983, Rayner Noble still ranks among the best pitchers in Houston baseball history. Noble's ranks third all-time in wins (25) and innings pitched (297.2), fifth in shutouts (four) and seventh in complete games (12).
The southpaw was a two-time first-team All-Southwest Conference selection. As a senior in 1983, Noble led the Cougars with 12 wins, a 1.31 ERA and 78 strikeouts as Houston finished with a 42-15 overall record. Noble was a key part of Houston's run to the NCAA West Regional, earning a spot on the all-tournament team.
Noble served as the program's head coach from 1995-2010, helping the Cougars to C-USA regular season championships in 1999, 2000 and 2002, while winning two C-USA tournament titles (2000, 2008). He was two-time C-USA Coach of the Year selection and helped the Cougars to five 40-win seasons and eight NCAA Regional appearances.
Noble also guided the Cougars to three NCAA Super Regional berths (2000, 2002, 2003) and is the program's all-time leader in wins with 551 victories.
Michael O'Shea | Athletic Training (1993-2020)
Regarded as one of the nation's most distinguished athletics trainer, Mike O'Shea joined the Houston Athletics Department as head athletics trainer in 1993, providing countless hours of care for UH student-athletes.
For his heroic efforts in saving the life of cornerback D.J. Hayden following a collision at practice, O'Shea received the Excellence in Athletic Training Award from the Southwest Athletic Trainers Association in July 2013. With his quick thinking and action, O'Shea helped save Hayden's life from an injury that is 95 percent fatal and more often seen in explosions or war casualties and never in athletics competition.
O'Shea was inducted into the National Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame in 2017 for his career achievement.
During the summer of 2010, he received the Most Distinguished Trainers Award from the Southwest Athletics Trainers Association. This was only the latest honor for O'Shea during his outstanding career. In 2008, he received the University of Houston's Bill Yeoman Special Contributions Award. O'Shea received the Most Distinguished Athletics Trainer Award from the National Athletic Trainers Association in 2005. He also was honored in 1999 with the Professional Football Athletic Trainer Society's Distinguished Alumni Award.
Anastasia Pozdniakova | Diving (2007-10)
One of the most decorated student-athletes in the history of the Houston swimming and diving program, Anastasia Pozdniakova won the silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in the 3-meter synchronized springboard and finished her collegiate career with a pair of NCAA titles on the 1-meter springboard.
An eight-time All-American, Pozdniakova is the latest UH swimming and diving athlete to earn back-to-back NCAA individual titles. For her efforts, she was named the NCAA's Diver of the Year in 2010.
Pozdniakova also earned the C-USA Diver of the Year honors in 2007 and 2009 and was a 19-time C-USA Diver of the Week. In 2009, she teamed with fellow Cougar diving alumnus Yulia Pakhalina at the FINA International Swimming Federation Championships to win the bronze in the 3-Meter synchronized diving competition.
Angel Shamblin | Softball (2005-08)
A three-time Conference USA Pitcher of the Year winner, Angel Shamblin's 2008 season ranks as the best individual performance by a UH softball pitcher. Shamblin led the Cougars to the program's first appearance in a NCAA Super Regional in 2008 and a pair of NCAA Regional berths.
Shamblin finished her career with a school record three perfect games and six no-hitters. A native of Davie, Fla., Shamblin also set the program record for wins and strikeouts, closing out her career with back-to-back 30-win seasons.
Shamblin was a 2008 NFCA All-American and was a three-time NFCA All-Region selection and a three-time Conference USA Pitcher of the Year. Following her prestigious career at UH, Shamblin went on to play for the Akron Racers, a National Pro Fastpitch team, and in Italy.
Billy Willingham | Football (1966-85)
One of the longest-tenured assistant coaches in Houston football history, Billy Willingham spent 20 seasons as the Cougars' offensive line coach under Bill Yeoman. During his time at Houston, Willingham was a part of three 10-win seasons and nine conference championships.
Willingham helped develop eight All-America offensive linemen at Houston, including consensus All-Americans Bill Bridges and Rich Stotter.
Hal Underwood | Men's Golf (1966-68)
A member of Houston's back-to-back NCAA Championship teams in 1966 and 1967, Hal Underwood remains one of the program's all-time greats. A native of Del Rio, Texas, Underwood claimed All-America honors in 1966, 1967 and 1968.
In 1968, Underwood finished second at the NCAA Championships and earned top-10 finishes in 1966 and 1967. He is one of 10 players in program history to earn multiple All-America honors at Houston.
As a professional, Underwood won two events on the Australian Tour in 1977 and picked up a win on the PGA Tour in 1975 at the Portland Open.
Ron & Carolyn Yokubatis | Contributors
Longtime contributors to Houston Athletics, Ron and Carolyn Yokubatis are the co-founders and co-CEOs of Datafoundry, Giganews and Goldenfrog. The couple also co-founded Texas.net, one of the first 50 internet service providers in the United States.
Ron lettered for the Houston football team from 1962-63 under legendary head coach Bill Yeoman, before earning his bachelor's degree and his juris doctor degree from the University of Houston.
The Yokubatis's played a key role in the development of TDECU Stadium. They have also been significant contributors to Fertitta Center as well as Houston's track and field program. Soccer's Yokubatis Field is also named in their honor.
The 2021 Hall of Honor Gala and induction ceremony will take place on Sept. 17, 2021 at the Post Oak Hotel. The event will also celebrate "75 Year of Houston Athletics", which will be a year-long theme for the department. The gala will highlight the past championship success and provide a look into the future of Houston Athletics.
Stanley Floyd (men's track & field), Sancho Lyttle (women's basketball), Rayner Noble (baseball), Michael O'Shea (athletic training) Anastasia Pozdniakova (diving), Angel Shamblin (softball), Hal Underwood (men's golf), Billy Willingham (football) and Ron and Carolyn Yokubaitis (football; contributors) comprise the 2021 Hall of Honor Class.
Pricing for tickets, tables and sponsorship opportunities are available through Cougar Pride. For more information, please call Cougar Pride at (713) 743-4684 or email cougarpride@uh.edu.
Net proceeds benefit student-athlete scholarships through Cougar Pride, the fundraising arm of the Athletics Department. By purchasing a ticket or reserving a table, fans impact the lives of more than 400 student-athletes that represent the University of Houston.
The 2021 class marks the 22nd class inducted into the Hall of Honor and the 11th since the Hall was reintroduced in 1998. The current class will bring the membership to 112 individuals and two teams.
2021 HALL OF HONORS INDUCTEES
Stanley Floyd | Men's Track & Field (1982)
A two-time NCAA individual champion, Stanley Floyd's 1982 season with the Houston track and field program still stands as one of the best in school history. Floyd set the NCAA outdoor record with a time of 10.03 in the 100-meters to win the individual title in the event. He also was a key piece in Houston's 4x100 relay team that claimed the national title during 1982.
Floyd also put together an impressive indoor campaign that season, establishing world records at 50 yards (5.22), 60 yards (6.09) and at 55-meters (6.10). Before arriving at Houston, Floyd claimed the 100-meter crown at the 1980 USA Olympic Trials for the 1980 Olympic team but was unable to compete due to the U.S. Olympic Committee's boycott of the Summer Olympics in Moscow.
He is also a two-time 100-meter winner at the USA National Championships in 1980-81. At the conclusion of his UH career, Floyd also earned three All-America honors.
Sancho Lyttle | Women's Basketball (2004-05)
One of the most decorated players in UH women's basketball history, Sancho Lyttle concluded her Houston career as the 23rd member of the 1,000-point club, racking up 1,092 points in just two seasons. She appeared in 62 games for the Cougars, averaging 17.6 points and 10.7 rebounds.
A native of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Lyttle set the program record for single-season rebounding average (12.1), offensive rebounds (142) and total rebounds (362) during the 2004-05 season. She also is the program's career leader in rebounds per game (10.7).
She began her professional career with the Houston Comets (2005-08), and was the only Houston Comet still playing after being taken No. 1 overall by the Atlanta Dream in the dispersal draft following the 2008 season.
During her 15-year WNBA career, Lyttle made three WNBA Finals appearances with the Atlanta Dream. She averaged 8.9 points and 6.6 rebounds for her career and was named to the All-WNBA Defensive team four times. She was also a 2009 WNBA All-Star.
Rayner Noble | Baseball (1980-83 – Player; 1995-2010 – Head Coach)
A first-team All-American in 1983, Rayner Noble still ranks among the best pitchers in Houston baseball history. Noble's ranks third all-time in wins (25) and innings pitched (297.2), fifth in shutouts (four) and seventh in complete games (12).
The southpaw was a two-time first-team All-Southwest Conference selection. As a senior in 1983, Noble led the Cougars with 12 wins, a 1.31 ERA and 78 strikeouts as Houston finished with a 42-15 overall record. Noble was a key part of Houston's run to the NCAA West Regional, earning a spot on the all-tournament team.
Noble served as the program's head coach from 1995-2010, helping the Cougars to C-USA regular season championships in 1999, 2000 and 2002, while winning two C-USA tournament titles (2000, 2008). He was two-time C-USA Coach of the Year selection and helped the Cougars to five 40-win seasons and eight NCAA Regional appearances.
Noble also guided the Cougars to three NCAA Super Regional berths (2000, 2002, 2003) and is the program's all-time leader in wins with 551 victories.
Michael O'Shea | Athletic Training (1993-2020)
Regarded as one of the nation's most distinguished athletics trainer, Mike O'Shea joined the Houston Athletics Department as head athletics trainer in 1993, providing countless hours of care for UH student-athletes.
For his heroic efforts in saving the life of cornerback D.J. Hayden following a collision at practice, O'Shea received the Excellence in Athletic Training Award from the Southwest Athletic Trainers Association in July 2013. With his quick thinking and action, O'Shea helped save Hayden's life from an injury that is 95 percent fatal and more often seen in explosions or war casualties and never in athletics competition.
O'Shea was inducted into the National Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame in 2017 for his career achievement.
During the summer of 2010, he received the Most Distinguished Trainers Award from the Southwest Athletics Trainers Association. This was only the latest honor for O'Shea during his outstanding career. In 2008, he received the University of Houston's Bill Yeoman Special Contributions Award. O'Shea received the Most Distinguished Athletics Trainer Award from the National Athletic Trainers Association in 2005. He also was honored in 1999 with the Professional Football Athletic Trainer Society's Distinguished Alumni Award.
Anastasia Pozdniakova | Diving (2007-10)
One of the most decorated student-athletes in the history of the Houston swimming and diving program, Anastasia Pozdniakova won the silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in the 3-meter synchronized springboard and finished her collegiate career with a pair of NCAA titles on the 1-meter springboard.
An eight-time All-American, Pozdniakova is the latest UH swimming and diving athlete to earn back-to-back NCAA individual titles. For her efforts, she was named the NCAA's Diver of the Year in 2010.
Pozdniakova also earned the C-USA Diver of the Year honors in 2007 and 2009 and was a 19-time C-USA Diver of the Week. In 2009, she teamed with fellow Cougar diving alumnus Yulia Pakhalina at the FINA International Swimming Federation Championships to win the bronze in the 3-Meter synchronized diving competition.
Angel Shamblin | Softball (2005-08)
A three-time Conference USA Pitcher of the Year winner, Angel Shamblin's 2008 season ranks as the best individual performance by a UH softball pitcher. Shamblin led the Cougars to the program's first appearance in a NCAA Super Regional in 2008 and a pair of NCAA Regional berths.
Shamblin finished her career with a school record three perfect games and six no-hitters. A native of Davie, Fla., Shamblin also set the program record for wins and strikeouts, closing out her career with back-to-back 30-win seasons.
Shamblin was a 2008 NFCA All-American and was a three-time NFCA All-Region selection and a three-time Conference USA Pitcher of the Year. Following her prestigious career at UH, Shamblin went on to play for the Akron Racers, a National Pro Fastpitch team, and in Italy.
Billy Willingham | Football (1966-85)
One of the longest-tenured assistant coaches in Houston football history, Billy Willingham spent 20 seasons as the Cougars' offensive line coach under Bill Yeoman. During his time at Houston, Willingham was a part of three 10-win seasons and nine conference championships.
Willingham helped develop eight All-America offensive linemen at Houston, including consensus All-Americans Bill Bridges and Rich Stotter.
Hal Underwood | Men's Golf (1966-68)
A member of Houston's back-to-back NCAA Championship teams in 1966 and 1967, Hal Underwood remains one of the program's all-time greats. A native of Del Rio, Texas, Underwood claimed All-America honors in 1966, 1967 and 1968.
In 1968, Underwood finished second at the NCAA Championships and earned top-10 finishes in 1966 and 1967. He is one of 10 players in program history to earn multiple All-America honors at Houston.
As a professional, Underwood won two events on the Australian Tour in 1977 and picked up a win on the PGA Tour in 1975 at the Portland Open.
Ron & Carolyn Yokubatis | Contributors
Longtime contributors to Houston Athletics, Ron and Carolyn Yokubatis are the co-founders and co-CEOs of Datafoundry, Giganews and Goldenfrog. The couple also co-founded Texas.net, one of the first 50 internet service providers in the United States.
Ron lettered for the Houston football team from 1962-63 under legendary head coach Bill Yeoman, before earning his bachelor's degree and his juris doctor degree from the University of Houston.
The Yokubatis's played a key role in the development of TDECU Stadium. They have also been significant contributors to Fertitta Center as well as Houston's track and field program. Soccer's Yokubatis Field is also named in their honor.
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Hall of Honor
Thursday, September 14