H.R. No. 2044
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Michael "Spanky" Stephens was inducted into the
Kinesiology and Health Education Hall of Honor at The University of
Texas at Austin in 2023; and
WHEREAS, Each year, the Hall of Honor recognizes the
achievements and contributions of KHE faculty, former students, and
members of professional fields related to physical activity and
health; induction is based on an individual's leadership,
professional involvement, service, or academic research; and
WHEREAS, A native of Bellville, Spanky Stephens is a graduate
of the Department of Kinesiology and Health Education at UT Austin;
after beginning his career in 1967 as a student athletic trainer as
an undergraduate, he was hired as the school's first assistant
athletic trainer; he served in that role for eight years before
being selected as head athletic trainer in 1978; over the course of
his more than three decades with the university, he worked with nine
NCAA championship teams and oversaw a student program that produced
hundreds of high school and college athletic trainers; and
WHEREAS, In 2001, Mr. Stephens was named executive director
of the Texas State Athletic Trainers' Association, where he has
been instrumental in promoting the athletic training profession and
advocating for the safety of athletes throughout the state; his
many achievements in this role include helping to create a sports
medicine track for Texas high school students, and he was integral
to the passage of "Natasha's Law," which established a protocol for
dealing with student-athletes suspected of having sustained a
concussion; the law became a model for states across the country;
and
WHEREAS, Mr. Stephens is a member of the Texas State Athletic
Trainers' Association Hall of Honor, the Southwest Athletic
Trainers' Association Hall of Fame, the All-American Football
Foundation Hall of Honor, the UT Athletics Hall of Honor, and the
Bellville High School Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, The impact of Spanky Stephens's contributions will
continue to resonate in the Lone Star State for years to come, and
he is indeed deserving of this prestigious honor for his unwavering
commitment to the health and safety of student-athletes; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Michael "Spanky" Stephens on his
induction into the Kinesiology and Health Education Hall of Honor
at The University of Texas at Austin and extend to him sincere best
wishes for the future; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. Stephens as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.
Price
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 2044 was adopted by the House on May
25, 2023, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House