July 8-9, 2011 has been designated Lufkin Professional Athletic Hall of Fame Day with a special recognition program to be held in the Education Building at Ellen Trout Zoo Friday evening. Saturday’s event will again be held at Jones Park.

Lufkin Pro Day Group will honor the late T.J. Turner who graduated from Lufkin High School in 1981 and went on to play football for the University of Houston and the Miami Dolphins.

Also being honored is basketball stand-out J.J. Montgomery who graduated from Lufkin High School in 2001. Montgomery played for basketball at Angelina College, Arkansas State and now plays in the European League for the Nitra, Slovakia.

Proposed by Lufkin City Councilman Robert Shankle and working with a committee representing a cross-section of the community, the group plans for this to become an annual event to honor graduates from Angelina County schools who have gone on to distinguish themselves, and thus our community, on the professional playing field, while at the same time maintaining a standard of excellence on the playing field of life.

With planning and support, the committee would like to see this event grow to include a charity golf tournament funding scholarships for deserving LHS students. This event can encourage young students to exceed in sports and life as well as encourage successful athletes to make a positive contribution to their home town.

Initial plans are for a memorial wall to honor these athletes that will be on permanent view for the community and visitors.