Carl Holland graduated from Terrell High School in 1978. During his career at Terrell High School, Holland was a member of the Terrell Tigers football and basketball teams. On the football field, Holland played for beloved Terrell coach, Herman Furlough, as a defensive end and nose guard. Holland later earned the starting spot as the team’s kicker when he successfully kicked the ball through the uprights during a practice. Better known for his talents on the basketball court, Holland played for the Tigers all four years of high school and earned a spot on the varsity team during his sophomore year. Holland’s successes on the court were made obvious by the many accolades and awards earned throughout his career including: First Team All-District as a junior and senior, North Zone District Player of the Year, All State for Class 3A in 1978, as well as the Most Valuable Player of the Class 3A State Tournament. Holland recalls his favorite memory as a member of the Tiger basketball team when he and his teammates went on a 20-game winning streak leading up to the state tournament; an impressive feat that has yet to be duplicated by Terrell basketball teams.
Outside of athletics, Holland was the President of the Sociology Club, earned the Attendance Award all four years of high school, and was awarded the T Award three out of four years.
Following graduation, Holland attended Paris Junior College (PJC) on a full athletic scholarship to play power forward and center for the basketball team. While playing for PJC, Holland and his teammates competed in the Junior College Championship Tournament. After his years at PJC, Holland went on to play power forward for the Mean Green at the University of North Texas.
Johnny Lawson graduated from Terrell High School in 1956 as a four-sport athlete. Lawson was a member of the football, basketball, baseball, and golf teams. As the starting quarterback for three out of the four years, Lawson led the Tigers to victory at the Bi-District championship games in both 1954 and 1956 and earned the title of Quarter Final Champions in 1955. He received All-District honors at the conclusion of his senior football season. On the Terrell Tigers basketball team, Lawson held the starting post position for three out of four years, and was the Tigers starting pitcher for the baseball team for two years. Lawson’s sophomore and junior seasons with the Terrell baseball team were marked both with undefeated records and All-District honors. During his senior year, Lawson was voted Most Athletic by his peers. Outside of athletics, Lawson spent two years serving his student body as Class President, participated in Athletic Club, and was voted Class Favorite during his sophomore year.
While Lawson did not go on to play sports in college, he did earn a spot on two semi-pro baseball teams in Shreveport, Louisiana before being called to active duty in 1961. During his service in the Army National Guard, Lawson played baseball on a traveling team as a pitcher. Lawson also made Terrell hometown history by being the first person to ever bowl a perfect 300 score at the LeMar Lanes, now known as the Terrell Bowling Lanes. He went on to bowl in several professional tournaments in addition to competing and winning many local golf tournaments. Lawson remained an avid competitor and sports fan until his passing in August 2009. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Sue Dudley Lawson, and their three children: Tim Lawson, Connie Lawson Presley. and Kelly Lawson Wynne, all of whom graduated from Terrell High School. Lawson had four wonderful grandchildren, Ashely Evans, Christian Lawson Alyssa Lawson, and Payton Wynne.
Jammal McCullar is a graduate of the Terrell High School class of 2003. McCullar was a three-sport athlete participating in football, basketball, and track and field. As a two-year varsity football player, McCullar accumulated numerous awards including a unanimous vote for First Team, First Team All-Kaufman County, an invitation to the DFW All Star Game, and was ranked a Top 80 Wide Receiver in the Nation. He credits the success of his athletic career to his wide receiver coach, Rodney Chant. His most memorable Friday night moment was an 86-yard speed sweep for a touchdown against Ennis at the District Championship game. As a three-year varsity basketball player, McCullar was a three-time All-District selection and was MVP of the Kaufman County Holiday Classic. McCullar was known for his speed on the track, lettering three years with the team. McCullar was a three- time Regional qualifier, received the Outstanding Runner award his junior year, and voted Track MVP his senior year. McCullar was also a member of the 4x200 relay team that broke the Terrell High School record. McCullar was ranked among the top 10 sprinters in the nation during his senior year, and subsequently set the school record for 100m race the same year.
Following high school graduation, McCullar received Division 1 scholarship offers in all three sports. He made the decision to play football for Tulsa University, where he and his teammates finished second in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) with a record of 8-4 and competed in the Humanitarian Bowl against Georgia Tech University. McCullar went on to play two years of college football with Trinity Valley Community College, where he earned his Associate Degree. Currently, McCullar is a personal trainer, employed by Amazon, an associate minister for Bethlehem Baptist Church, and is pursuing his bachelor’s degree at Texas A&M Commerce. McCullar, who is passionate about giving back to his community and inspiring the next generation of Terrell athletes, founded the Terrell Prime Track Club in 2019, where he works with local track athletes.
Chante’ Threets Carter graduated from Terrell High School in 1998 and was a member of the cheerleading squad, Tiger band, and competed on the volleyball and track teams. Threets Carter earned the title of All-American Cheerleader during her sophomore and senior years, was named a Who’s-Who among student athletes across the nation, and was recognized as the Track Athlete of the Year during her senior year. Threets Carter notes that the highlight of her high school athletic careers was competing at the state level her sophomore, junior, and senior year in track.
Following high school graduation, Threets Carter was offered a full-ride scholarship to Hampton University for her speed on the track. She later transferred to Louisiana Tech University where she set records in the 50m, 55m, 60m, and 200m races and earned her Bachelor of Science in Health and Exercise Science. In 2003, Threets Carter was a NCAA qualifier in Track and Field and was named Academic All-WAC her senior year of college.
Threets Carter has taught for the last 12 years and coached for the last 6 and just began her second year teaching and coaching for Terrell ISD at Herman Furlough Jr. Middle School. While she is incredibly proud of her athletic and academic accomplishments, her greatest source of pride is her 5 year old son, Brence Carter, who is a current kindergarten student at the Global Leadership Academy.
Holland, Lawson, McCullar, and Threets Carter were scheduled to be inducted into the Tiger Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday, October 9, 2020, however due to issues surrounding COVID-19, the District has postponed the event until the 2021 football season. Details for the 2021 Hall of Fame Induction and ceremony will be announced as they become available.