On January 12, basketball players for Texans Can Academy - Fort Worth Lancaster; Texans Can Academy - Dallas Oak Cliff; and Texans Can Academy - Dallas Ross Avenue attended Southern Methodist University’s basketball game for a special ceremony for Ira Terrell. One of Texans Can Academies’ longest and most dedicated volunteers, Terrell played basketball for SMU from 1972 to 1976 and earned a place in the SMU Athletics Hall of Fame. His jersey, number 32, was retired during halftime.

Terrell ranks second all-time at SMU in rebounds, sixth in scoring, and second in career scoring average. He was selected by the Phoenix Suns in the third round of the 1976 NBA Draft, and from 1976 to 1978, he played for the Suns, New Orleans Jazz, and Portland Trailblazers.

Terrell has volunteered with Texans Can Academies for over 30 years and is currently on the Dallas Development Council and Golf Committee. He invited Texans Can Academies’ basketball players to attend the game and the jersey-retirement ceremony.

After the ceremony, Terrell shared encouraging words with the students, signed their programs, and took pictures with them. Among those attending, only one of the students had ever attended a college or professional basketball game. The experience was one these students will not forget.

The Mustangs went on that night to take a nearly 30-point victory against the University of Tulsa.

Texans Can Academies is dedicated to graduating thinkers and committed to ensuring students have all the information and tools needed for a successful college or career path after graduation. For more information about Texans Can Academies, please visit www.texanscan.org.