Mark "Buzz" Chisum was recently inducted into the Texas State Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Honor.

Chisum obtained his masters degree from Sul Ross State University in 1995 as he was under the tutelage of professors Dr. Chet Sample, Dr. Roger Grant and Dr. Jim Hector.

For 42 years, Chisum served as an athletic trainer at various levels across the state of Texas.

"I was blown away. I've been proud to be an athletic trainer in the state of Texas, but to get this honor and to get recognized by the association was just — wow. I was pretty excited to get that award," Chisum said.

Growing up near the Rio Grande Valley in south Texas, Chisum and his parents moved from Uvalde to Brownsville.

After injuring his collarbone during football season, Chisum helped out the coaching staff with various duties.

A man named Sam Aguilera then came to demonstrate athletic training equipment and proper techniques.

Aguilera worked for Alert Services, Inc., a business that serves as a healthcare and sports medicine supplier.

Little did Chisum know that life would turn full circle and he would soon be working for Alert Services in the near future.

After receiving his bachelors from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, he went to his first job at Seminole High School before moving to McCamey High School.

Chisum then made the jump from a town with two lights to the big city of Houston where he served as a trainer with the former Houston Oilers.

Working alongside quarterback Earl Moon, running back Mike Rozier and Hall of Famer Earl Campbell, Chisum worked in professional football for two years.

Chisum worked 10 training camps, which at the time were held in San Angelo.

In addition, Chisum had an extensive career at Texas Tech where he served as the director of sports medicine for football for 20 years.

Currently, he serves as a sales rep for Alert Services, Inc., selling athletic training supplies in west Texas and in the Panhandle.

To this day, coming down to Alpine was the best decision Chisum made.

"I wouldn't trade it for the world going down to Alpine," he said. "Once you get down there, there's great people and they care about you and what you do. I'm so glad I did that."

Chisum becomes the fourth person with ties to Sul Ross State to join the Hall of Honor. The other three include Truman "Doc" Spoon, Darrell "Red" Ganus and William Bain Ward.