Howard Payne University Athletics

Bill Brown Jr. of Devine played on some of Howard Payne’s best basketball teams, including the Lone Star Conference co-championship teams in 1962 and 1963. The 6-foot-6 forward was known for his scoring and rebounding and was named All-LSC in his senior year in 1963. He was selected in the 1963 NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers in the seventh round as the 61st pick. However, he ended up playing for a time with the Houston Oilers. Brown put football aside to go into education and coaching. He coached and was assistant superintendent at Kennedale and Southwest ISDs and superintendent at Caldwell, Danbury and Comal ISDs. He was named area superintendent of the year while at Comal. He died in 1988 and was posthumously inducted into the HPU Athletics Hall of Fame.