The Missouri Sports Hall of Fame will soon recognize the football career of former Bolivar High School football standout Brett Potts, who also went on to captain Pittsburg State.
Potts is among the Elite 11, a group of former high school and college standouts to be recognized during the NFL Kickoff Sports Enthusiasts Luncheon presented by Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper on Wednesday, Oct. 28.
The 11 a.m. ceremony is at Springfield’s University Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, where the Hall will induct former Kansas City Chiefs receiver Eddie Kennison; former Missouri State football All-American tackle and coach Rich Johanningmeier; and former Carrollton High School coach Stan Kee.
Potts, the son of former coach Doug Potts, was a standout defensive lineman at Bolivar High School, where he became all-state for the Liberators in 1984. That season, he also was named to the News-Leader’s All-Ozarks team, and it also marked his fourth time as an all-conference selection.
Potts went on to play college ball at Pittsburg State (Kan.), where he was a two-year captain and lettered from 1986 to 1989. He was a second-team all-conference in 1987 and a first team all-conference in 1988 and 1989, plus was an academic All-American in his final two seasons there. Potts went on to earn a doctorate degree and, these days, he is principal at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park, Kan.
The Elite 11 also includes: quarterback Eric Czerniewski (Montgomery County, Central Missouri); lineman Rusty Shadel (Lebanon, Missouri State); running back Rex Sawyer (Ava, Missouri Valley College); linebacker Steve Forbis (Republic, Missouri Southern); defensive tackle Lorenzo Williams (Mizzou); punter/quarterback Chuck Blair (Camdenton, Central Missouri); kicker Jeremy Flores (Willard, Colorado); defensive back T.J. Onstott (Lamar, Missouri Southern); split end Steve Newbold (Aurora, Missouri State); and running back Justin Gerald (Hillcrest, Central Methodist).
An individual ticket is $40. Tables of eight are $400 and includes associate sponsorship recognition in the printed program. Head table tickets are $100. For tickets, call the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame at 417-889-3100.