Northern Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame announces 7 inductees for February ceremony

The Northern Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame will be inducting seven new members at the February meeting to be held Feb. 21 at the Gardens of Park Hills at 1 p.m.

The group of inductees includes former and current coaches, players and athletic directors. Here is a look at the seven individuals joining the Northern Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame this year.

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Becky Houston – volleyball, basketball, coach

Houston graduated from Holy Cross in 1989. Houston played multiple sports while at Holy Cross, including cross country, softball, basketball and volleyball.

While she was excellent at all of them, she stood heads above the rest in both basketball and volleyball.

In basketball she was a prolific scorer with more than 1,000 career points. She was named to the All-District team and to the All-Regional team in 1989.

But it was volleyball where she really made her mark. She had over 2,000 career kills and was named to several all-star teams. She led her team to the state semifinals before being defeated. She was named All-District, All-Region and All-State and was named the Kentucky Player of the Year in 1989.

This talent led to a full scholarship to the University of Louisville in volleyball.

After college, Houston wanted to give back to the community so she got into coaching. She started coaching in 2006 at Holy Cross and has continued to this day. She has more than 200 career victories. She has led her teams to district titles, regional titles and two All-A state titles.

Bill Curley – track, football, basketball

Curley graduated from Holmes in 1975. He played football and track and field in his freshman year at Holmes. He broke the school record in the discus early that year and pretty much broke it each week after that.

He played football and track and field in his sophomore and junior years as well. In his junior year, he won the regional in the discus throw and went to the state meet.

His senior year capped a great career as he again played football and track and field. He won the Regional for a second straight year in the discus and went to state where he finished sixth. He was named to the All-Conference defensive team in football. He was voted Most-Athletic of the Holmes class of 1975.

Mary Jo Hussey Meek – softball, golf

Hussey Meek was an excellent softball player at the local level for many years. After she retired from softball she needed another outlet for her athletic abilities and took up golf with immediate success.

She was the Summit Hills Country Club women’s club champion 10 years in a row and won the Northern Kentucky senior title five different times. Other accolades include winning the NKY amateur, the Kentucky Post Championship and she is a five-time winner of the the Olde Hickory Club Championship in Fort Myers, Florida.

Hussey Meek's NKY team maintained the No. 1 ranking for years. They won many best ball tournaments in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.

Matt Guy – cornhole

Guy graduated from Campbell County in 1988.

Guy got involved in cornhole after being considered one of the best horseshoe players in Kentucky. He started his career in 2010 in the American Cornhole Organization. During his time here he was a nine-time ACO World Champion. He was a four-time ACO World Doubles Champion.

Guy then was recruited to the American Cornhole League and was again the World Singles champion and the World Doubles champion. He is the all-time winningest player in both leagues and was named the ACO Player of the Year 10 different times. In 2020, Guy was the ACL Rookie of the Year.

The president of the American Cornhole League has called Guy the best cornhole player ever and during ESPN broadcasts he's referred to as the GOAT, greatest of all time.

Richard Tyler – coach, athletic director

Tyler graduated from Lloyd in 1983. His career has spanned 26 years in Northern Kentucky.

During this time, he was the Arnett Elementary School basketball coach in 1985-1986, then again from 1999 to 2001. He was Tichenor Middle School basketball coach from 1986 to 1988. Also at Tichenor, he served as middle school cheerleading sponsor from 1990 to 1994.

Tyler then moved on to Lloyd High School serving as the head basketball coach from 1985 to 1997. During that time he was the athletics game manager for two years, 1997 and 1998.

He was the Erlanger-Elsmere Elementary assistant athletics director from 1992 to 1995, then he was the athletics director from 1995 until 2021.

Tyler also coached basketball at Dixie High School from 2001 to 2007, and at Cooper High School from 2008 to 2010.

Tyler is very involved in his community, serving the First Baptist Church of Elsmere as a trustee, Sunday school teacher, Pastor’s aide, male chorus president and Juneteenth holiday organizer.

Todd Houston – basketball, soccer, golf

Houston graduated from Holy Cross in 1991.

Houston was an intense competitor and it was that drive that led him to success in various sports.

Houston’s aggressive play and speed made him a scoring machine in soccer. In the fall of 1989, his 23 goals led the region and helped Holy Cross to the Regional finals. He was named to the NKY All-Star team.

In basketball as a sophomore he played every game for a team that went to the Regional finals. His junior year he became a starter averaging 17.7 points per game.

Then came his senior year of 1990-1991. Houston averaged 18 points per game. They won the District title to advance to Regionals. In the Regionals they defeated Newport and Simon Kenton to face off against Holmes, which was state runner-up the year before and had everybody back. In a double overtime game Houston had 24 points, converting 13-of-14 free throws, in a 75-73 victory. He was named to the All-Tournament team.

Houston continued his superior play in the state tournament, averaging 22.3 points per game and being named to the All-Tournament team at the state level.

His most memorable game may have come as a freshman when he scored 36 points in just two quarters after being benched because of a disagreement with Coach Eifert in class.

Troy Houston – basketball, baseball

Houston graduated from Holy Cross High School and was the heart and soul of Holy Cross basketball from 1987 to 1989.

During this time the Indians compiled a 70-26 record, climaxing in 1989 with a 27-7 record and a spot in the Regional title game.

Houston’s coach stated he was the most complete player he had ever coached, stating he could play every spot on the floor, he could pass, he could post-up taller players, he could shoot it with great range, and had a desire to win that was immeasurable. Opponents and sports writers echo these comments, remarking on Houston’s 'court smarts'.

One of Houston’s biggest games was a 25-point second-half comeback at St. Henry, which had not lost at home in two years.

In 1988 Holy Cross won its first District title in 16 years. In the Regional they upset a heavily favored Highlands team in overtime. In 1989 Houston averaged 15 points and six assists in leading Holy Cross to the Regional finals. In the semifinals they beat Holmes 96-95 in what was called one of the best games in recent memory.

Houston was an honorable mention on the All-State team after both his junior and senior years. He finished his career with 2,055 career points.

Houston was also an excellent baseball player. In 1989 he batted .523, and pitched a no-hitter against Holmes. He was named All-Region First Team after both his junior and senior seasons.

Houston thanks his parents, coaches and teammates for their dedication and help in making him a better person, player, husband and father.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: NKY Sports Hall of Fame inducting new class of 7