Kelly Richardson Dyer graduated from Terrell High School in 2001. During her career at Terrell High School, Dyer was a member of the Lady Tigers volleyball team, a member of the cheerleading squad, and competed on the track and cross-country teams. Most notably, Dyer helped make Terrell High School history by being a member of the very first Lady Tigers Softball team after spending her freshman year as the starting third baseman for the JV baseball team. By the program’s third year, Dyer helped lead her teammates to the Lady Tigers Softball team’s first ever playoff berth. During her time on the team, Dyer was named Second Team All-Region as well as All-District for her outstanding play as an infielder. Beyond her role as an athlete, Dyer excelled in the classroom, graduating in the top ten percent of her class and participating as a member of National Honor Society.
Following graduation and the bombings of the World Trade Center on September 11, Dyer chose to defer attending college to serve her country in the Texas Army National Guard as a medic. Dyer served 6 years in the military, earning the rank of Sergeant. During her 12-month tour in Kosovo, Dyer completed the majority of her Bachelor of Applied Arts and Science degree and graduated Cum Laude from Texas A&M University upon her return to the United States in 2006. Dyer then went on to earn a Master of Educational Leadership from the University of Texas at Tyler and is currently in her third year at Texas Tech University working towards her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with a STEM focus. Dyer has continued to serve others in her role as an Assistant Campus Director, Science Content Coach, and classroom teacher at the University of Texas at Tyler University Academy in their Innovation Academy Program. Kelly and her husband Ross have two beautiful children, Sydnee and Raylan.
Bill Griffin is a graduate of the Terrell High School class of 1964. Known today as the official voice of the Terrell Tigers, Griffin is no stranger to the field of competition. During his career as a Terrell Tiger, Griffin was a member of the Terrell Tiger varsity football team as a wide receiver and tight end and played guard and forward on the basketball team. Griffin also competed in the high jump, hurdles, 400-meter relay, and ran the mile on the track team, and earned the position of first and third baseman for the baseball team. After many years of intense competition on the field, court, and track, Griffin suffered a knee injury that unfortunately ended his playing days. Following graduation, Griffin attended Texas Western College.
While an injury may have ended his career as a player, Griffin transitioned into a new athletic role in 1966 that would ultimately cement his legacy as a Terrell Tiger and a pillar of the Terrell community. When longtime Terrell Tiger game announcer Curly Collins ended his days in the press box, school officials were at a loss at how to replace him, that is, until Griffin stepped in to fill the iconic role. Only a few years removed from the playing field himself, Griffin’s voice filled Memorial Stadium as he welcomed fans and gave each play by play of the game. In 2016, Griffin was recognized in an on-field ceremony for his 50 years of service as the voice of the Terrell Tigers. In 2017, the Press Box at Memorial Stadium was renamed and dedicated in his honor as the Bill Griffin Press Box.
In addition to being the voice of the Terrell Tigers, Griffin served on the Terrell ISD School Board for 18 years and was the President of the Booster Club. Griffin also served on the City of Terrell Planning and Zoning Board for 15 years, as well as the Chairman of the Annual Boles Brothers Memorial Golf Classic for over 20 years, an event benefitting graduating senior athletes of Terrell High School. He also announced basketball games for 35 years, and baseball games for 36 years. Bill and his wife Linda have one son, John, and two precious grandchildren, Sophie and Gray.
Richard Tolbert graduated from Terrell High School in 1980. Tolbert competed on the Terrell Tiger varsity football team as a quarterback, safety, and wide receiver, and was a member of the high school basketball and track teams. During his junior year Tolbert was named All-District for his impressive performance at the safety position and received the honor again as a senior along with being named All-District for his outstanding play as a wide receiver. The highlight of Tolbert’s football career came during his senior year when the Terrell Tigers delivered an upset victory over the McKinney Lions, who would eventually go on to win the state championship at the end of the season. As a member of one of the most dominant track teams in UIL history, Tolbert’s track and field career remains one of the most impressive in Terrell High School history. As a junior, Tolbert placed in the high jump at the regional qualifier. Tolbert’s crowning achievements came during his senior year when he helped lead his team to Terrell High School’s first ever Track and Field State Championship. Tolbert himself earned a gold medal in the mile relay, a silver medal in the high jump, and set his personal best and District record of 6’10” in the high jump.
Following graduation, Tolbert received a scholarship to attend the University of Texas where he competed on the track and field team. As a 19-year-old Texas Longhorn, Tolbert jumped 7’2.25” in the high jump at the 1982 Texas Invitational, which qualified him for Nationals at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. At Nationals, Tolbert was accompanied by 63 other jumpers, some of whom were US Olympians. Tolbert’s name remains listed on the University of Texas’ Top 10 Longhorn Performers for his 7’2.25” jump at the 1982 Texas Invitational.
Tolbert has built a successful career as a building contractor, is an avid golfer, and is heavily involved in his church, where he is the choir director, youth minister for teens and young adults, and serves as a deacon. Richard and his wife Ronda have four wonderful children, Bethany, Jessica, Alex, and Alondra. The Tolbert family also welcomed their first grandchild, a grandson named Jaison, in May 2018.
Dyer, Griffin, and Tolbert will be inducted into the Tiger Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday, October 5, 2018. Our new inductees, along with all previously inducted members of the Tiger Athletic Hall of Fame, will be recognized during a pre-game ceremony at the Terrell vs. Corsicana football game. Congratulations Kelly Richardson Dyer, Bill Griffin, and Richard Tolbert!