Mary Jeanne Cleckler†
Inducted 1995
Hometown: Breckenridge
College: Texas A&I University
Best Known for: Coaching – Basketball
Feb. 22, 1935-Sept. 2, 2017
Cleckler was a graduate from Texas A&I University with a physical education/health degree and began her coaching career in the Valley. She spent most of her coaching career at Mary Hoge Junior High School in Weslaco.
Cleckler taught girls’ basketball, volleyball and track and field. Cleckler's teams won countless district championships, tournament championships and track meet championships.
For more than 30 years, Cleckler was an official/statistician for the Texas State High School Girls Basketball Tournament and the annual Texas Relays which determined the state's track and field championships. In addition to her coaching career at Weslaco High School, in 1978 Cleckler spent eight years as Athletics Director at Round Rock ISD.
Her enthusiasm for great competition and great sportsmanship translated into all the athletes and students she mentored. Cleckler semi-retired and moved back to Weslaco after enjoying her time in the central Texas area.
Weslaco ISD dedicated its new Cleckler-Heald Elementary School in 2005 to honor Cleckler and her fellow coach/lifelong friend Dessie Heald.