Art Briles luncheon breaks record for the Texas Sports Hall of Fame

WACO, Texas (KWTX) - The event featuring former Baylor Head Coach Art Briles last week was the most successful LoneStar Luncheon in the history of the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.

Briles, along with his former quarterback, Bryce Petty, were the featured speakers for the annual event, which brings notable sports figures to town.

Over the last eight years, the luncheon has included baseball legend Roger Clemens, golfer Lee Trevino,  NFL great Mean Joe Greene, broadcaster Verne Lundquist, Rockets great Rudy Tomjanovich and UT stars Mack Brown and Vince Young on the 20th anniversary of their national title and Rose Bowl Victory.

In 2024, the luncheon also hosted the 2023 World Series Champion Texas Rangers, but Texas Sports Hall of Fame Board Member Bruce Gietzen said bringing Briles back to Waco made it their most successful luncheon to date.

“It was the largest crowd we’ve ever had for a Lone Star Luncheon, and we have had eight of those special events, including Lee Trevino, Roger Clemens and most recently one with Mack Brown and Vince Young,” Gietzen said.  “It shows you how a lot of people embraced those back-to-back championships in 2013 and 2014.”

Gietzen told KWTX the event sold out in less than 48 hours.

Organizers considered moving the event to a larger venue but decided to flip the layout of the hall where it was held to accommodate 16 more tables full of people on the waiting list.

Gietzen said Briles and Petty entertained the crowd with stories and that both never hesitated to accept the invitation.

“Art immediately agreed, saying he wanted to show his gratitude to fans for their support and Bryce said anytime he can get on stage with Coach Briles, he would be happy to do that,” Gietzen added.

For his part, Briles said it was “heartwarming” and “touched his soul” to be back in Waco in front of such a supportive crowd.

Many of Briles’ former players attended to show their support, including former quarterbacks Seth Russell and Nick Florence, Bo Blackshear, Clay Fuller, Lynx Hawthorne, Collin Brence, Silas Nacita, Levi Norwood and Cam Kaufhold.  

The other two public appearances Briles has made locally in the last decade to speak include in 2017 at a church led by his former player Ahmad Dixon and in 2019 at a coach’s clinic at the downtown Hilton.

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