James "Curly" Hays

Referee

_

Inducted in 1998

James L. “Curly” Hays was an all-state fullback for the San Angelo High School Bobcats. He won three letters in football, basketball and track in high school. At the University of Tulsa Hays he was an All-American and a three-time All-Missouri Valley Conference player. Hays officiated football and basketball for high schools and colleges for over 50 years. He called Southwest Conference basketball and football games for 21 years including the Cotton, Fiesta and Sun Bowls games. Hays was inducted into the Texas High School Coaches Association Hall of Honor in 1988 and the Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame in 1989.