Three former student athletes were recently inducted into the Wharton County Junior
College Athletic Hall of Fame. From left are Glenn Sparkman (baseball, class of 2013),
David Pierce (baseball, class of 1983) and Matt Prichard (rodeo, class of 2006).
WHARTON, TEXAS – Three former Wharton County Junior College athletes have been inducted
into the WCJC Athletic Hall of Fame. During a ceremony held at the Gene Bahnsen Gymnasium
on Nov. 3, David Pierce (baseball, class of 1983), Matt Prichard (rodeo, class of
2006) and Glenn Sparkman (baseball, class of 2013) received plaques, medallions and
a permanent spot on a display located in the gym’s foyer.
WCJC President Dr. Amanda Allen provided the welcome, while WCJC Athletic Director
and Head Baseball Coach Trey Porras and WCJC Head Rodeo Coach Sean Amestoy shared
remarks. WCJC Assistant Athletic Director Rhonda Clayton assisted in handing out the
awards.
A committee consisting of athletic department staff and college faculty selected the
inductees. Named to the 2026 Athletic Hall of Fame were:
David Pierce – A native Houstonian, Pierce played baseball at WCJC in 1982 and 1983
and then for the University of Houston before embarking on a stellar collegiate coaching
career. He was named Baseball America’s National Coach of the Year in 2018 while leading
the Texas Longhorns to the College World Series. As a head coach he has compiled a
.630 winning percentage (541-318) in 15 seasons. He is currently the Head Baseball
Coach at Rice University. He and his wife, Susan, have two children: Chelsea and Shea,
and two grandchildren.
Matt Prichard – While at WCJC, Prichard qualified for the College National Finals
Rodeo in calf roping, earning a trip to Casper, Wyo., to compete on the national stage.
Winning at the CNFR stands as oneof the highlights of his rodeo career. After taking some time away from competition,
Prichard has recently returned to the arena and is again competing in team roping.
He resides in Victoria with his wife, Mandi, a fellow WCJC alumna and former Pioneers
volleyball player, and their two sons, Brayden, 7, and Briar, 2.
Glenn Sparkman – A Ganado native, Sparkman built his path to the professional baseball
ranks the hard way. Undrafted out of Ganado High School, he honed his craft at WCJC,
putting in the time and effort required to make it to Major League Baseball. His MLB
debut was on June 30, 2017 with the Toronto Blue Jays. In 2018 he moved to the Kansas
City Royals, where for four seasons he made 52 appearances and struck out 111 batters.
He and his wife, Katherine, have three children: Raelynn, Beau and Tate.
The WCJC Athletic Hall of Fame recognizes former student athletes and college employees
who made noteworthy accomplishments that not only elevated WCJC’s athletic programs,
but enabled them to garner success in their chosen careers and to serve their community.
The Hall of Fame was created in 2021.
