Athletics

MISD Athletics Announces 2025 Hall of Honor Class

10 May 2024/kmcpherson@mckinneyisd.net

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

McKINNEY, Texas—Seven individuals and one team are the newest members of the McKinney ISD Athletic Hall of Honor.

The 2025 Class includes Don Cates (Senior Era), Eric Herbel, Ross Matiscik, and Samantha Means (Modern Era), Phillip Wood (Legends), Alan Pocock (Coach), Will Hodges (Contributor/Supporter), and McKinney Boyd’s 2011 volleyball team, becoming the 11th  group to be added since the inception of the Hall of Honor.

The newest members will be officially inducted in January 2025.

“Every year we look forward to celebrating those athletes and coaches that have helped establish the rich tradition of winning and excellence in McKinney ISD. This induction class is a great representation of those standards and we are excited to celebrate them, along with their families,” said Director of Athletics Jennifer Frazier. 

Cates, a 1972 McKinney High School graduate, was a standout two-way player and an all-state linebacker for the Lions football team. Cates was district defensive MVP and also handled punting and kicking duties for the team.

A 2007 McKinney North graduate, Herbel quarterbacked the Bulldogs’ first playoff teams in 2005 and 2006. He also was a member of the 2007 MNHS basketball team that advanced to the region semifinals.

Matiscik, a 2015 McKinney Boyd graduate, is a Pro Bowl deep snapper for the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars. An all-state linebacker for the Broncos, he played inside linebacker and long snapper at Baylor before signing as an undrafted free agent with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

A 2007 MNHS graduate, Means won state titles in cross country and the 3,200 meters for the Bulldogs. A six-time all-state selection, she continued her racing career at SMU.

Wood, a 1968 MHS graduate, started at quarterback and safety for the Lions’ football team in 1967 and earned first-team all-state honors as a defensive back. Also an all-district selection in basketball, Wood played quarterback at Rice and led the team in passing in 1970.

Pocock coached the MHS boys soccer team for almost 30 years, winning 6 district titles, 18 playoff appearances, and won more than 350 matches along the way. He was inducted into the Texas Soccer Coaches Association Hall of Honor in 2018.

Hodges was a longtime football assistant coach at MHS under Ron Poe. After his retirement, he spent 15 years as a radio color analyst for McKinney ISD football and basketball broadcasts.

The 2011 MBHS volleyball team established a program best with 45 wins and advanced to the state finals under the school’s original coach, Kelly Arbabi. The Lady Broncos swept through district play undefeated.

Induction into the Athletic Hall of Honor is the highest honor awarded in McKinney ISD Athletics. The Hall of Honor was established in 2013 to recognize former student-athletes, coaches, teams, and community contributors who have made a significant contribution to McKinney ISD Athletics.