The Greater Austin Sports Foundation is proud to announce its 2025 Hall of Honor Inductees. This year’s class includes an educator of 25 years, a 40-year volunteer and founder of a girls’ basketball league, an inspirational martial arts instructor, and a longtime volunteer with youth baseball. 

 

These four individuals will be inducted during the organization’s annual banquet on Thursday, April 10 at the Austin Junior League Community Impact Center located at 5330 Bluffstone Lane. Tickets are on sale now!

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GASF Hall of Honor Class of 2025

 

Master Ben Johnson – Aim & Focus Karate, Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan

Through an after-school program with Round Rock ISD, Master Ben Johnson has used martial arts to teach his students about character, discipline, and confidence for more than 20 years. His programs offer classes for children of all ages. Master Johnson’s dedication goes beyond his students as he is also known to offer free self-defense training to the mothers of his students. 

 

Kelly Latz – Little League

A former board member of GASF, Kelly Latz has volunteered for more than 25 years with the Little League Baseball of Austin. His contributions have impacted the lives of countless young Austinites who learned baseball is more than a game. It is a way to learn about sportsmanship, teamwork, character, leadership, perseverance, and finding joy in the competition, win or lose.

 

Kathy Manning – Town & Country Optimist Club

What do you do when your daughter has a passion for sports and plays basketball on a boys team? You create one of the first girls basketball leagues in Central Texas. That’s just what Kathy Manning did for her daughter as a volunteer for the Town & Country Optimist Club. For nearly 40 years, Manning has helped coordinate schedules and practice times for all sports. It is estimated more than 30,000 children and 4,000 volunteer coaches have been impacted by her work through the years.

 

Amy Wiesenhutter – Pflugerville ISD

For 24 years Amy Wiesenhutter has impacted the lives of special education students in Pflugerville ISD through adaptive physical education and Special Olympics. She coached her flag football team to a silver medal at the Special Olympics USA Games in 2022. Wiesenhutter also played a key role in developing the Unified Champions program at Hendrickson High School to include and integrate special education students in all aspects of campus clubs and activities. That program has been recognized by ESPN and Special Olympics naming Hendrickson HS one of the most inclusive schools in the nation. The Unified Champions program has since been introduced at multiple campuses in PfISD as well as Austin FC.

 

During the banquet, the GASF will also award the Female and Male Scholar Athletes of the Year. Finalists for the award will be announced in February and invited to attend the banquet as well. 

 

Tickets to the 2025 Greater Austin Sports Foundation Hall of Honor Banquet are on sale now for $125 for an individual seat. The price includes dinner and two drink tickets. Full tables are also available for purchase. 

 

Individuals, organizations, and businesses interested in sponsoring this year’s banquet may do so with a variety of tiered options available. Donations of items or services for a silent auction may also be made to GASF.

 

For more information on becoming a sponsor, purchasing tickets, or donating to the silent auction visit GreaterAustinSportsFoundation.org. 

The Greater Austin Sports Foundation is dedicated to fostering youth athletics in the Austin area by supporting programs, recognizing leaders, and empowering young athletes. Since 1980, the GASF has inducted more than 70 individuals into its Hall of Honor who have selflessly given their time, resources, and passion to support and grow youth sports in Central Texas.