Joe Richard Hornaday Jr. was born in Austin, TX on March 1, 1947, the only child of Joe and Dorothy Hornaday.

He attended Austin High School, participating on the nine-tournament winning golf team his senior year. Liking the underdog persona, he graduated from Texas Tech, majoring in Journalism. He was drafted by the U.S. Army in 1971 and sent to Frankfurt, Germany, where he served as writer and editor of the award-winning 3rd Armored Division's Spearhead newspaper. Upon discharge, he was hired at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram as a sportswriter from 1973-78.

He took advantage of an opening at Texas Tech, where he joined the Sports Information Office. He was promoted to Sports Information Director two years later and worked for five athletic directors and four head football coaches. In 1996, he was promoted to Assistant Athletic Director for Marketing and Promotions. He retired in 2008.

He was most proud that in 1985 legendary golf instructor Harvey Penick asked him to introduce him at Penick's induction ceremony into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame. He had 10 first-team All-America football honors go to Red Raiders during his time as SID. Honors won included Outstanding Achievement Award by the Tech Ex-Student's Assn., the Lester Jordan Award and the Elmore Hudgens SID award. He was named an Outstanding Alumni by the Texas Tech College of Media and Communications and an Honorary Letterman by the Texas Tech Lettermen's Assn. He served on the College Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee, was national chairman of the Academic All- America Football Team Selection Committee and oversaw the creation of the Spike's Open Golf Tournament and the Texas Tech Chapter of the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame.

He was an avid golfer and won such tournaments as the Wide Open Media Tournament at Colonial CC in Fort Worth, the Leachers of Golf in Hot Springs, AR. and the Two-Club Tournament at Pine Hills in Lubbock. He shot his age over 130 times before his death at age 79. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Sally, and two sons, Clay and Chris and his wife Erin. Also two granddaughters: Lily and Landry, whom he learned much about the joys of life. He was proud to be a member of the Muny Boys, Mineola's Men (and Women), the Committee for Champions, CoSIDA, the Noon Group, Pay Day and the Tahoka Yellow Dogs.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Joe Hornaday Memorial Fund at Texas Tech. Funds will be used for a cause within the university that Joe would have been proud to support.

Make a Gift: give.ttu.edu