2023 Hall of Fame Class Announced
8/15/2023 11:00:00 AM | General, Letterwinners Association
DENTON – Seven former student-athletes from six different sports will make up the 2023 North Texas Athletics Hall of Fame class, it was announced today. Four different decades are represented, with honorees dating as far back as the 1960s.
The Hall of Fame committee received over 40 nominations for consideration. Voting by current Hall of Fame members, dues-paying letterwinners and the Hall of Fame committee took place in late July.
Jeffery Wilson (2014-17), former Mean Green running back who currently plays for the Miami Dolphins of the NFL is being inducted in his first year of eligibility. Joining Wilson in the 2023 class is former golfer Guy Cullins, Carnae (Dillard) Johnson who played volleyball, Deon Hunter of the men's basketball program, Craig Jones of football, Mariza (Martinez) Letma who played softball and former swimmer Catia Weickgenanat.
Cullins' (1968-71) résumé places him among the all-time greats in the history of North Texas golf. A four-year letterwinner, Cullins was a two-time All-American selection, being named to the third team in 1970 and an honorable mention in 1971. He was a major factor on teams that reached four straight NCAA Tournaments after winning consecutive Missouri Valley Conference championships, and as a sophomore in 1969 was the NCAA's 15th-ranked golfer.
Carnae (Dillard) Johnson (2012-15) is arguably the best volleyball player in program history. Johnson was a four-time, first team all-conference and was the league Player of the Year as a junior and senior. She was the NCAA statistical leader in kills per set and was named Honorable Mention All-American as a senior. She is also the school record holder for kills and attacks.
Deon Hunter (1987-89) was a three-year letterwinner and a first team all-conference honoree as a senior when he was named the conference Player of the Year. He led his teams to two Southland Conference champions and one NCAA postseason appearance. He is one of only 24 players in North Texas history to score 500 points in a season.
Craig Jones (2000-03) was one of the key members of the early 2000s Darrell Dickey teams that won four Sun Belt Conference championships and went to four straight bowl games. He ranks in the top 10 for career tackles in school history and was a four-year starter and three-time all-conference selection. He led the team in tackles during the Mean Green's win over Cincinnati in the New Orleans Bowl with 12.
Mariza (Martinez) Lerma (2008-11) was the first softball player in school history to be named to the NFCA All-Central Region First Team, which she did as a sophomore. She earned all-conference recognition twice and is a mainstay in the North Texas record book, ranking top-10 in several major career categories that include home runs (2nd), runs scored (2nd), RBI (4th), hits (4th), at-bats (4th) doubles (T-5th), total bases (5th), batting average (8th), and slugging percentage (10th).
Catia Weickgenanat (2009-13) was one of the early pioneers of the young Mean Green swimming program, becoming the school's first four-time all-conference swimmer. She holds the school record in both the 500 freestyle and the 200 butterfly and was a member of two relay teams that hold school records. She won the 500 freestyle at the Sun Belt Conference championships as a sophomore, junior and senior. She was a CSCAA Scholar All-American in 2011-12.
Jeffery Wilson (2014-17) was a four-year letterwinner and three-year starter for North Texas from and his 3,205 career rushing yards place him fifth in school history and he has the fourth-most rushing touchdowns with 32. He is the career leader in North Texas history in rushing yards per attempt (5.7) with backs having over 400 attempts. He was named to the all-conference team in 2017, leading his team to nine wins and a spot in the conference championship game and a bowl appearance. Wilson is currently in his sixth NFL season, his second with the Miami Dolphins.
The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place on Saturday, Oct. 14 at the Embassy Suites in Denton, prior to the Mean Green football game vs. Temple.
2023 UNT Athletics Hall of Fame Inductees
Guy Cullins, Men's Golf, 1968-71
Carnae (Dillard) Johnson, Volleyball, 2012-15
Deon Hunter, Men's Basketball 1987-89
Craig Jones, Football, 2000-03
Mariza (Martinez) Lerma, Softball, 2008-11
Catia Weickgenanat, Swimming, 2009-13
Jeffery Wilson, Football, 2014-17
The Hall of Fame committee received over 40 nominations for consideration. Voting by current Hall of Fame members, dues-paying letterwinners and the Hall of Fame committee took place in late July.
Jeffery Wilson (2014-17), former Mean Green running back who currently plays for the Miami Dolphins of the NFL is being inducted in his first year of eligibility. Joining Wilson in the 2023 class is former golfer Guy Cullins, Carnae (Dillard) Johnson who played volleyball, Deon Hunter of the men's basketball program, Craig Jones of football, Mariza (Martinez) Letma who played softball and former swimmer Catia Weickgenanat.
Cullins' (1968-71) résumé places him among the all-time greats in the history of North Texas golf. A four-year letterwinner, Cullins was a two-time All-American selection, being named to the third team in 1970 and an honorable mention in 1971. He was a major factor on teams that reached four straight NCAA Tournaments after winning consecutive Missouri Valley Conference championships, and as a sophomore in 1969 was the NCAA's 15th-ranked golfer.
Carnae (Dillard) Johnson (2012-15) is arguably the best volleyball player in program history. Johnson was a four-time, first team all-conference and was the league Player of the Year as a junior and senior. She was the NCAA statistical leader in kills per set and was named Honorable Mention All-American as a senior. She is also the school record holder for kills and attacks.
Deon Hunter (1987-89) was a three-year letterwinner and a first team all-conference honoree as a senior when he was named the conference Player of the Year. He led his teams to two Southland Conference champions and one NCAA postseason appearance. He is one of only 24 players in North Texas history to score 500 points in a season.
Craig Jones (2000-03) was one of the key members of the early 2000s Darrell Dickey teams that won four Sun Belt Conference championships and went to four straight bowl games. He ranks in the top 10 for career tackles in school history and was a four-year starter and three-time all-conference selection. He led the team in tackles during the Mean Green's win over Cincinnati in the New Orleans Bowl with 12.
Mariza (Martinez) Lerma (2008-11) was the first softball player in school history to be named to the NFCA All-Central Region First Team, which she did as a sophomore. She earned all-conference recognition twice and is a mainstay in the North Texas record book, ranking top-10 in several major career categories that include home runs (2nd), runs scored (2nd), RBI (4th), hits (4th), at-bats (4th) doubles (T-5th), total bases (5th), batting average (8th), and slugging percentage (10th).
Catia Weickgenanat (2009-13) was one of the early pioneers of the young Mean Green swimming program, becoming the school's first four-time all-conference swimmer. She holds the school record in both the 500 freestyle and the 200 butterfly and was a member of two relay teams that hold school records. She won the 500 freestyle at the Sun Belt Conference championships as a sophomore, junior and senior. She was a CSCAA Scholar All-American in 2011-12.
Jeffery Wilson (2014-17) was a four-year letterwinner and three-year starter for North Texas from and his 3,205 career rushing yards place him fifth in school history and he has the fourth-most rushing touchdowns with 32. He is the career leader in North Texas history in rushing yards per attempt (5.7) with backs having over 400 attempts. He was named to the all-conference team in 2017, leading his team to nine wins and a spot in the conference championship game and a bowl appearance. Wilson is currently in his sixth NFL season, his second with the Miami Dolphins.
The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place on Saturday, Oct. 14 at the Embassy Suites in Denton, prior to the Mean Green football game vs. Temple.
2023 UNT Athletics Hall of Fame Inductees
Guy Cullins, Men's Golf, 1968-71
Carnae (Dillard) Johnson, Volleyball, 2012-15
Deon Hunter, Men's Basketball 1987-89
Craig Jones, Football, 2000-03
Mariza (Martinez) Lerma, Softball, 2008-11
Catia Weickgenanat, Swimming, 2009-13
Jeffery Wilson, Football, 2014-17
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