Louisiana Tech announced its 2021 Hall of Fame Class today which includes two-time Ray Guy Award winner Ryan Allen, two-time Southland Conference Pitcher of the Year Richie LeBlanc, three-time Gulf States Conference champion golfer Roy Pace, five-time All-American jumper Bryant Wesco, Kodak All-American Debra Williams and Super Bowl Champion cornerback Tramon Williams.
The six-person class will be enshrined into the Louisiana Tech Athletics Hall of Fame this fall. More details on the exact time and location of the event will be released soon.
“I want to commend the Hall of Fame Committee for their efforts in selecting such a diverse and deserving class,” said Louisiana Tech VP and Director of Athletics Eric Wood. “This group is a representation of a wide variety of our programs and so many eras of Louisiana Tech Athletics. It is a group full of competitors. I want to congratulate each individual within this class, and we look forward to celebrating their accomplishments in the fall.”
Allen (Football, 2010-12) made history during his Bulldog career, becoming the first player to win back-to-back Ray Guy Awards as the nation’s top punter. A member of the 2011 Western Athletic Conference champions and the 2011 Poinsettia Bowl team, Allen was a two-time All-American and a 2-time all-conference performer. He holds the record for the longest career punt and the highest career punting average in program history. The eight-year NFL veteran won three Super Bowls (XLIX, LI, LIII) with the New England Patriots and was selected as a member of the 50 Greatest Players in Joe Aillet Stadium History in 2018.
LeBlanc (Baseball, 1985-87) led the Bulldogs to the 1986 and 1987 NCAA Regionals while being named the Southland Conference Pitcher of the Year both seasons. During his Bulldog career, he recorded a mark of 29-8 in the circle while registering 18 complete games in 38 career starts. His 12 wins in 1987 is tied for the program record for most wins in a season. The 10th round draft choice by the Kansas City Royals in the 1987 MLB Draft etched his name in Bulldog lore after tossing 10 innings in a 5-4 extra inning win over LSU at JC Love Field in 1987.
Pace (Men’s Golf, 1959-62) will become the first Bulldog golfer to be enshrined into the Louisiana Tech Athletics Hall of Fame. He captured the Gulf States Conference individual title in 1960, 1961 and 1962. He still holds the school record (tied) with the lowest single round of 62 at the 1962 Louisiana Tech Invitational. Pace played for more than a decade on the PGA Tour and recorded 10 Top 15 finishes, including winning the 1971 Magnolia Classic in Hattiesburg. He is a member of the Connecticut Golf Hall of Fame for “Distinguished Golf Achievement” and named the 1987 Metropolitan PGA Golf Professional of the Year.
Wesco (Track and Field, 1996-2000) becomes the fifth track and field athlete to enter the Hall of Fame. He was a five-time All-American for the Bulldogs in the triple jump and an 11-time Sun Belt Conference champion in the long jump and triple jump. He owns the Louisiana Tech record in the indoor triple jump, including seven of the top 10 marks in school history. Wesco also hold the program record in the outdoor triple jump, and six of the top ten marks in school history. He led the Bulldogs to the 1999 Sun Belt Conference Indoor Championship, and he was the national runner-up in the triple jump in 2000.
Debra Williams (Women’s Basketball, 1992-96) was one of the top scorers in Lady Techster history. The 1996 Kodak All-American and three-time all-Sun Belt Conference honoree still ranks No. 13 in career scoring (1,749 points) and No. 6 in career three-pointers made (136). She was named to the all-Sun Belt Conference Tournament team all four years of her career, including being named MVP in 1994. Williams helped lead the Lady Techsters to four straight league titles and NCAA Tournament appearances, including the 1994 NCAA National Championship game. She was selected in the third round of the 1997 WNBA Draft by the Charlotte Sting.
Tramon Williams (Football, 2002-05) began his career as a walk-on for the Bulldog football team after coming to Tech from Assumption High School, but he quickly made a name for himself on both the college and NFL levels. After earning a scholarship at Tech, Williams earned first team all-Western Athletic Conference honors while leading the team in interceptions in each of his final two years in Ruston, including the game-clinching interception in the memorable win over No. 18 Fresno State in 2004. He has spent 15 years in the NFL and recorded 34 career interceptions. He was a member of the Green Bay Packers Super Bowl XLV team.
With the addition of these selections, the Louisiana Tech Athletics Hall of Fame will be at 115 members.
