56 Notable alumni of Abilene Christian University
Updated: June 12, 2026 EliteDegrees
Abilene Christian University is ranked #1,844 in the world and #456 in United States by aggregated alumni prominence. Below is the list of 56 notable alumni from Abilene Christian University sorted by their wiki pages popularity. The directory includes famous graduates and former students along with research and academic staff. Many individuals affiliated with Abilene Christian University won Nobel Prizes for Peace, in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, and Economics.
1. Dudley E. Faver
1916-2011 (aged 95)
military officer
Major General Dudley Ervin Faver was a United States Air Force major general who was director, Secretary of the Air Force Personnel Council, Washington, D.C.
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2. Kolton Kohl
1998-. (aged 28)
basketball player
Kolton Alan Kohl is an American basketball player. He played college basketball for the Abilene Christian Wildcats.
3. Vitamin Smith
1923-2000 (aged 77)
American football player
Verda T. "Vitamin" Smith Jr. was a National Football League (NFL) running back for the Los Angeles Rams from 1949 through 1953.
4. Raymond Radway
1987-. (aged 39)
athletics competitor
American football player
Raymond Radway is an American former professional football wide receiver. He was a member of the Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears and St. Louis Rams of the National Football League, the Los Angeles KISS of the Arena Football League, and the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League. He played college football at Abilene Christian University.
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5. Tonto Coleman
1907-1973 (aged 66)
American football player
Arthur Marvin "Tonto" 'Coleman was an American football coach and college athletics administrator. He served as the head football coach at Abilene Christian University from 1942 to 1949, compiling a record of 28–15–2. After working as an assistant football coach at the University of Florida and the Georgia Institute of Technology, Coleman was appointed the commission of the Southeastern Conference...
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6. Garrett Harencak
military officer
Major General Garrett Harencak is the commander of the U.S. Air Force Recruiting Service. Previously, he served as the assistant chief of staff for strategic deterrence and nuclear integration, Headquarters U. S. Air Force. Prior this position, Harencak served as commander of the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, Air Force Materiel Command at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. The...
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7. Royce Money
1942-. (aged 84)
academic
Royce Lynn Money is an American academic administrator who served as president of Abilene Christian University from 1991 to 2010, whereupon he became Chancellor. He was succeeded as president by Phil Schubert.
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8. Sally Gary
1961-. (aged 65)
lawyer
Sally Gary is a Christian speaker and author on faith and sexuality. She is founder of CenterPeace, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that fosters belonging for LGBTQ people in the Church, as well as provides resources for Christian leaders, parents, and organizations to respond in Christ-like ways to the LGBTQ community. Gary is the subject of the 2020 biographical documentary Loves...
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9. B. F. Sisk
1910-1995 (aged 85)
politician
Bernice Frederic Sisk was an American politician who served as a Congressman from California from 1955 to 1979. He was a Democrat.
10. Robert Dean Hunter
1928-2023 (aged 95)
politician
Robert Dean Hunter was an American politician and academic administrator. He served as vice president at Church of Christ-affiliated Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas, and as a Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives, in which from 1986 to 2007 he represented District 71.
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11. Jack Scott
1933-. (aged 93)
teacher
politician
Jack Alan Scott is an American educator and former Democratic politician. Currently, a scholar in residence at Claremont Graduate University, Scott earlier served as president at two California community colleges, member of the California State Assembly and California State Senate and Chancellor of the California Community Colleges System.
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12. Bill Blakeley
1934-2010 (aged 76)
basketball coach
Billy Buie Blakeley was an American basketball coach. He coached at the high school, college, and professional levels.
13. Lindley Beckworth
1913-1984 (aged 71)
lawyer
teacher
judge
politician
Lindley Garrison Beckworth Sr. was an American judge and politician who served as a United States representative from Texas and a judge of the United States Customs Court.
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14. David A. Sampson
1957-. (aged 69)
chief executive officer
Christian minister
David Allan Sampson is the president and CEO of the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA), co-headquartered in Washington, DC and Chicago, Illinois. He was born in Washington, Indiana. He joined APCIA in September 2007.
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15. Jeffrey S. Boyd
1961-. (aged 65)
lawyer
judge
Jeffrey Scott Boyd is an American lawyer who served as a justice of the Texas Supreme Court from 2012 to 2025. He was appointed to Place 7 on the court by Governor Rick Perry in the fall of 2012 to fill the seat vacated by Justice Dale Wainwright, and he won a full six-year term on the court in the...
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16. Earl Young
1941-. (aged 85)
athletics competitor
Earl Verdelle Young is a retired American sprinter. He competed at the 1960 Olympics and won a gold medal in the 4 × 400 m relay setting a new world record at 3.02.2. He finished sixth in 400 m, in a time of 45.9 s that matched the former Olympic Record. At the 1963 Pan American Games, Young won gold...
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17. Phil Schubert
academic
Philip J. Schubert is the eleventh and current president of Abilene Christian University, Abilene, Texas. Schubert's appointment was publicly announced on February 12, 2010, and he formally took office June 1, 2010, succeeding Royce Money. Schubert's inauguration celebration took place in 2010.
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18. Jack Pope
1913-2017 (aged 104)
lawyer
judge
Andrew Jackson Pope Jr., known as Jack Pope, was an American judge, attorney, author and legal scholar who served as chief justice of the Supreme Court of Texas.
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19. Billy Olson
1958-. (aged 68)
athletics competitor
Billy Richard Olson is a retired American Olympic pole vaulter who held several world records, including the first 19-foot indoor pole vault. Olson finished 12th at the 1988 Summer Olympics, and was to have been part of the U.S. team for the boycotted 1980 Summer Olympics.
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20. Brantley Starr
1979-. (aged 47)
lawyer
judge
Brantley David Starr is a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas.
21. Everett Ferguson
1933-. (aged 93)
historian of religion
Everett Ferguson currently serves as Distinguished Scholar in Residence at Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas. He is author of numerous books on early Christian studies and served as co-editor of the Journal of Early Christian Studies.
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22. Joe Shirley, Jr
1947-. (aged 79)
politician
Joe Shirley Jr. is a Navajo politician who is the only two-term President of the Navajo Nation. He served as president from 2003 to 2011. He lives in Chinle, Arizona, and is Tódíchʼíiʼnii, born for Tábąąhá.
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23. K. J. Maura
1995-. (aged 31)
basketball player
Kevin Joel Maura Colón is a Puerto Rican professional basketball player for Vaqueros de Bayamón of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN). He played college basketball for the UMBC Retrievers, spending his final two years of eligibility with the Retrievers, earning America East Defensive Player of the Year and All-Conference honors as a senior. Listed as a 5-foot-8, 140-pound point guard,...
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24. Zane Williams
1977-. (aged 49)
singer-songwriter
Zane Williams is an American country music singer. He has seven solo albums and is also a member of the Americana band “The Wilder Blue”.
25. Stephen Mansfield
1958-. (aged 68)
writer
Stephen Lee Mansfield is an American author who writes about history, modern culture, religion and men's issues. His books have appeared on the New York Times best-seller list.
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26. Louie Welch
1918-2008 (aged 90)
politician
Louie William Welch was an American politician who served from 1964 to 1974 as the mayor of Houston, Texas.
27. John Pilley
1928-2018 (aged 90)
ethologist
dog trainer
academic
John W. Pilley was an American behavioral psychologist best known for his research into canine cognition and language learning with his Border collie, Chaser, who had the largest tested memory of any non-human animal. He was a professor emeritus in the Department of Psychology at Wofford College and was an avid kayaker throughout his life. Pilley was awarded an honorary...
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28. Bernard Scott
1984-. (aged 42)
Canadian football player
American football player
Anthony Bernard Scott is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2009 NFL draft. He played college football for the Abilene Christian Wildcats. His brother Daryl Richardson is also a former NFL running back.
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29. Billie Hughes
1948-1998 (aged 50)
musician
songwriter
Billie Keith Hughes was an American singer, recording artist, songwriter, musician, and record producer. He is best known for his successful artist career in Japan, lead vocalist of his band Lazarus and his collaboration with Roxanne Seeman writing songs for Philip Bailey, Phil Collins, Bette Midler, The Jacksons, The Sisters Of Mercy, Wink, and for his songs in film and...
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30. Danieal Manning
1982-. (aged 44)
athletics competitor
American football player
Danieal LaCraig Manning is an American former professional football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Abilene Christian Wildcats and was selected by the Chicago Bears in the second round of the 2006 NFL draft.
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31. Lindy McDaniel
1935-2020 (aged 85)
baseball player
Lyndall Dale McDaniel, known as Lindy McDaniel, was an American professional baseball pitcher who had a 21-year career in Major League Baseball from 1955 to 1975. During his career, he witnessed approximately 3,500 major league games (not including spring training), had more than 300 teammates, and played under eight different managers. He attended the University of Oklahoma and Abilene Christian...
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32. Robert L. Pitman
1962-. (aged 64)
lawyer
judge
Robert Lee Pitman is an American attorney who serves as a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas. He is a former United States attorney for the Western District of Texas. He was previously a United States magistrate judge of the same court.
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33. Ove Johansson
1948-2023 (aged 75)
association football player
American football player
Ove Claes Johansson was a Swedish American football placekicker who kicked what was then the longest field goal in the sport's history at 69 yards (63 m) in 1976. Johansson is the oldest player to be drafted in the NFL draft, being 28 years, 281 days old when he was selected in the 12th round of the 1977 NFL draft...
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34. Kent Brantly
1987-. (aged 39)
physician
Kent Brantly is an American doctor with the medical mission group Samaritan's Purse. While treating Ebola patients in Liberia, he contracted the virus. He became the first American to return to the United States to be treated for the disease.
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35. Daryl Richardson
1990-. (aged 36)
American football player
Daryl Lashay Richardson is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the seventh round of the 2012 NFL draft. He played college football for the Abilene Christian Wildcats.
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36. Janice Hahn
1952-. (aged 74)
teacher
politician
Janice Kay Hahn is an American politician serving as a member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors from the 4th district since 2016. A member of the Democratic Party, she was a U.S. representative from California from 2011 to 2016, elected in the 36th congressional district until 2013 and later in the 44th congressional district. She was previously...
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37. Charcandrick West
1991-. (aged 35)
American football player
Charcandrick West is an American former professional football player who was a running back for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Abilene Christian Wildcats and signed with the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2014.
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38. Bobby Morrow
1935-2020 (aged 85)
sprinter
athletics competitor
farmer
woodworker
Bobby Joe Morrow was an American sprinter who won three gold medals at the 1956 Olympics. He has been called "the dominant sprinter of the 1950s" and "the most relaxed sprinter of all time, even more so than his hero Jesse Owens".
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39. Wilbert Montgomery
1954-. (aged 72)
American football player
Wilbert Montgomery is an American former professional football player who was a running back for nine years with the Philadelphia Eagles and the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Abilene Christian Wildcats. After his playing career, Montgomery was the running backs and tight ends coach for the St. Louis Rams (1997–2005) and...
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40. Micah P. Hinson
1981-. (aged 45)
singer-songwriter
Micah Paul Hinson is an American Americana singer and guitarist and recording artist for Sketchbook Records in the United Kingdom and Jade Tree Records in the United States. His debut album Micah P. Hinson and the Gospel of Progress was released in 2004 to much critical praise. He has also released two EPs; one of early material (2005's The Baby...
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41. Aaron Watson
1977-. (aged 49)
singer-songwriter
singer
James Aaron Watson is an American country music singer and songwriter. Active since 1999, Watson has recorded several independent albums in his career. His 2015 album The Underdog reached No. 1 on Top Country Albums that year, and in 2017, Watson had his first major radio airplay hit with "Outta Style", which reached top 10 on Country Airplay.
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42. Taylor Gabriel
1991-. (aged 35)
American football player
Taylor James Gabriel is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver for six seasons in the National Football League (NFL). After playing college football for the Abilene Christian Wildcats, he signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2014. He also played with the Atlanta Falcons and Chicago Bears.
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43. Ted Poe
1948-. (aged 78)
lawyer
teacher
judge
politician
Lloyd Theodore Poe is an American politician who represented Texas's 2nd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 2005 to 2019. Poe was the first Republican to represent the 2nd district.
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44. Max Lucado
1955-. (aged 71)
writer
theologian
Max Lucado is an American author and minister at Oak Hills Church (formerly the Oak Hills Church of Christ) in San Antonio, Texas.
45. Jeev Milkha Singh
1971-. (aged 55)
golfer
Jeev Milkha Singh is an Indian professional golfer who became the first player from India to join the European Tour in 1998. He has won four events on the European Tour, becoming the most successful Indian on tour. He was the first Indian golfer to break into the top 100 of the Official World Golf Ranking in October 2006. The...
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46. Tim Dillon
1985-. (aged 41)
tour guide
writer
comedian
mortgage broker
actor
Tim J. Dillon is an American stand-up comedian and podcaster. He is the host of The Tim Dillon Show, a comedy podcast in which he discusses news, politics, and popular culture. Dillon began performing stand-up in New York City and has since gained attention for his satirical style and commentary on contemporary issues.
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47. Ronnie Dunn
1953-. (aged 73)
singer-songwriter
singer
Ronald Gene Dunn is an American country music singer-songwriter and record executive. Starting in 2011, Dunn has worked as a solo artist following the temporary dissolution of Brooks & Dunn. He released his self-titled debut album for Arista Nashville on June 7, 2011, reaching the Top 10 with its lead-off single, "Bleed Red". After leaving Arista Nashville in 2012, Dunn...
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48. Art Briles
1955-. (aged 71)
American football player
Arthur Ray Briles is an American football coach who is currently the head football coach at Eastern New Mexico University. Briles was the head coach of the Houston Cougars from 2002 to 2007 and the Baylor Bears from 2008 to 2015. He is the author of Beating Goliath: My Story of Football and Faith (2014). He is the subject of...
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49. John Layfield
1966-. (aged 60)
entrepreneur
American football player
professional wrestler
actor
radio personality
John Charles Layfield, better known by the ring name John "Bradshaw" Layfield, is an American professional wrestling color commentator, retired professional wrestler and former football player. He is signed to WWE, where he is an ambassador and commentator for the company.
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50. Daniel Johnston
1961-2019 (aged 58)
guitarist
pianist
painter
songwriter
singer
Daniel Dale Johnston was an American singer, musician and artist regarded as a significant figure in outsider, lo-fi, and alternative music scenes. Most of his work consisted of cassettes recorded alone in his home, and his music was frequently cited for its "pure" and "childlike" qualities.
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51. Omar Truman Burleson
1906-1991 (aged 85)
secretary
lawyer
special agent
politician
Omar Truman Burleson was an attorney, judge, FBI agent and veteran of World War II when he was first elected in 1946 as a Democratic U.S. Representative from Texas's 17th congressional district. He was re-elected to Congress from this rural district for more than 30 years, resigning on December 31, 1978 after having decided not to run again for office.
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52. Clyde Gates
1986-. (aged 40)
American football player
Edmond Darell "Clyde" Gates is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). Gates played college football for the Abilene Christian Wildcats and was selected by the Miami Dolphins as the 111th overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft. He is the cousin of running backs Bernard Scott and Daryl Richardson.
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53. Johnny Knox
1986-. (aged 40)
American football player
Johnny Otis Knox II is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver for three seasons with the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for Abilene Christian University. He was selected by the Bears as the 140th overall pick in the 2009 NFL draft. Knox's career abruptly ended after sustaining a...
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54. Chris Beard
1973-. (aged 53)
basketball coach
Chris Beard is a Canadian business leader, and former CEO of the Mozilla Corporation.
55. Bob McLeod
1938-2019 (aged 81)
American football player
Robert R. McLeod is a former Canadian politician. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories from 2007 to 2019, and served as the 12th premier of the Northwest Territories, from October 26, 2011 to October 24, 2019.
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56. Matthew J. Kacsmaryk
1977-. (aged 49)
lawyer
judge
Matthew Joseph Kacsmaryk is an American lawyer who serves as a United States district judge in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas. He was nominated to the position by President Donald Trump in 2017 and sworn in for the position in 2019.
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