James E. “Jim” Houghtaling†
Inducted 2005
Hometown: Brownsville
High School: Brownsville High School
Best Known for: Officiating – Football
October 31, 1935-November 28, 2000
Houghtaling’s storied career as a sports official kept him on the road and away from his family for 45 years, but his loved ones always knew he was doing the right thing.
Houghtaling was the referee who kept officiating longer than most, officiating more than 600 varsity and 1,000 sub-varsity football games, and doing 1,000 varsity and more than 1,750 sub-varsity basketball games. He was one of the rare officials who took pleasure in working sub-varsity competition, because he loved being around young people.
A lifelong resident of Brownsville, Houghtaling spent 35 years as an entomologist with the U.S Department of Agriculture along with his annual schedule of officiating assignments.
In 2004, he was posthumously given the Curly Hays Officials' Award from the Texas High School Coaches Association, becoming the 17th person in the state to receive that illustrious accolade, and the first from the Valley.
