Vernon Hallbeck †
Inducted 2014
Hometown: San Benito
High School: San Benito High School
College: Texas Christian University
Best Known for: Football
October 12, 1933-August 6, 2011
Hallbeck was a star for San Benito High School in an era when the Valley sent dozens of football players to the Southwest Conference. Hallbeck played guard and linebacker, and was a teammate of Olympic hero Bobby Morrow. He also competed for the basketball team, helping the Greyhounds to the district title in 1952. San Benito football went 21-3 over a two-year period and lost to eventual state champion San Antonio Alamo Heights in the playoffs.
Earning a spot on the Texas Christian University football team, Hallbeck started both ways. His punishing running and blocking from the fullback position paved the way to the Cotton Bowl for the Horned Frogs after they won the SWC title in 1955. Hallbeck opened the holes for All-American Jim Swing for the 1955 Frogs team that went 9-1 and rushed for 164 yards in 1956. Hallbeck played one season for Calgary in the Canadian Football League in 1957 worked as an assistant coach at TCU from 1958-63.
Hallbeck was honored with induction into the TCU Sports Hall of Fame in 1994.