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First team All-America selections have been Sean Walker in 1993 and 1994 in the NAIA, Division II selections, and Tim Burnette in 2004 as a selection by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC). Two of the Texan’s loyal supporters are Dr. and Mrs. Lamar Johanson. Dr. Johanson is the Dean Emeritus, College of Arts and Sciences at Tarleton. He says, “Lonn Reisman is the most intense individual I have ever known, and I do not know of anyone, who attends to details better than Lonn.”

The late Hugh Wolfe, who was a Stephenville businessman for many years, believed Reisman was a real plus to Tarleton. Wolfe, who played football and basketball and ran track at Tarleton in the 1930s, went on to become an outstanding player at the University of Texas in Austin and later as a player for the New York Giants in the professional football world.

Wolfe said, “My experience in Tarleton athletics was a great help to me during my football playing days. Above all it helped me to develop a better understanding of life. I congratulate Coach Reisman on his success at Tarleton. He is an asset to Tarleton State University.”

Reisman credits his son, Chris, who is the Associate Head Basketball Coach, in “extending my career as a coach. Chris has helped me change with the times. He is a brilliant, young coach. He has helped in giving me additional time to devote to the Athletic Director’s job. “During Chris’ frst three years at Tarleton, he majored in pre-medicine and had excellent grades. One day he came in my offce and informed me he didn’t want to pursue medicine as his career, but wanted to become a basketball coach. He played basketball in Stephenville High School and at Tarleton. So he changed his major. He now holds the bachelor and master’s degrees from Tarleton.” Chris and his wife, Misti, have a year-old son, Rush.

Reisman also has a daughter, Lonna, who lives in Stephenville. In addition he has three step-children – Blake, Blaine and Davin and four step-grandchildren. Chris and his wife, Mattie, had a son, Rush, born on January 26, 2010. Lonn’s wife, Misti, has been an instructor in the Department of Health and Physical Education for 17 years.

In addition to his duties as a coach and athletic director, Lonn has been responsible for the success of the Texan Club, a booster organization.

One of his loyal supporters, Perry D. Elliott, a retired Stephenville banker, says, “ He is an outstanding basketball coach, but he may be a better athletic director. Lonn is a public relation’s specialist, fundraiser and asset for Tarleton State University. The Texan Club raised almost $300,000 last year. Lonn and his staff raised over 75 percent of those funds.” Lonn has worked under three

presidents at Tarleton – Dr. Thompson, Dr. Dennis McCabe and the current president, Dr. F. Dominic Dottavio. He thanks all three for their support of athletics at Tarleton.

“Dr. Thompson brought me here, and it was his initial efforts that we’ve been able to develop a successful program in all our sports. I am most appreciative for his help,” Reisman explains. Reisman had this to say about Dr. McCabe, “It was through the efforts and encouragement from Dr. McCabe that we made a tremendous effort to move up to Division I in the NCAA. I think this move will be successful in the near future. I am most grateful to Dr. McCabe for his untiring work in this regard.”

“Dr. Dottavio has also been a great supporter of our program, and I want to thank him,” the veteran coach points out.

Concerning the athletic program, Dr.

OPPOSITE PAGE Lonn Reisman after winning Tarleton’s frst South Central Regional Basketball Championship in 2005. ABOVE David Tomlinson, President of Texan Club, presents Lonn Reisman with a trophy for his 450th win at Tarleton.

Hometown Living At Its Best 135

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