Inductees

To hear leaders across Springfield describe him, Bobby Allison walks around with a halo and a pair of heavenly wings.

Not convinced? In south Springfield, there is Miracle League Ball Field where developmentally disabled kids can play baseball. A mile west sits Harmony House, a shelter for domestically abused families. Over at Missouri State University, several “non-revenue” sports programs now call top-flight facilities their home.

And that’s only a snapshot of Allison’s generously for the community, where facilities and events bear his name and that of his late mother, Betty.

Certainly, the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame proudly inducted Allison as a Sports Philanthropist and Humanitarian with the Class of 2021.

“Bobby is like that high school football player who would run through a brick wall for the team, only he would do it for Springfield and the entire Ozarks,” said Jerald Andrews, President & Executive Director of the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. “His story is what we all should celebrate: A successful businessman who gives back to the community over and over again.”

A Parkview High School graduate, Allison has never forgotten where he came from. You see, he was raised by a single mother, whom he gives all the credit, working several jobs to make sure he had what everyone else had.

He went on to own Custom Protein, formerly Southwest Byproducts, for 46 years.

“Working in the cash commodities business, Bobby’s success in this industry has been his ability to always look forward,” said Hoot White, Operations Manager for Custom Protein.

A few years ago, the PGA Korn Ferry Tour’s Price Cutter Championship presented by Dr Pepper sought a sponsor for a youth golf tournament. Since 2015, the schedule has included the Betty & Bobby Allison’s Junior Pro-Am, with the pros teaching middle school and high school golfers great tips while competing in a scramble. That event is in addition to the Betty Allison’s Women’s Pro-Am. Both golf experiences have helped the PCCC gift nearly $1 million annually to almost 50 Ozarks children’s charities.

Meanwhile, Allison’s significant gifts in 2013 to Missouri State University led to improvements of athletics facilities and student recreation. Now MSU’s soccer, women’s track and field as well as field hockey and beach volleyball programs have first-class facilities – all named for his mother and for him.

He also contributed to construction of MSU’s Bill R. Foster and Family Recreation Center and recently provided the lead gift toward MSU’s Greenwood Laboratory School’s Betty & Bobby Allison Event Center.

“His contributions to this community and to Missouri State have been simply amazing,” Missouri State Athletic Director Kyle Moats said. “He has helped with facility upgrades, new construction, special projects and been one of the most loyal supporters we have. His contributions are very visible on our campus, and we are grateful for everything he has done and continues to do. I deeply value his counsel and friendship.”

The Springfield-Greene County Park Board has benefitted from his generosity. For one, he worked with numerous donor groups on the Betty & Bobby Allison Miracle League Ballfield at Dan Kinney Park, but there are many others:

• Completely renovated the 9-hole, Par-3 Oscar Blom golf course, now known as the Betty Allison Junior Golf Course at Oscar Blom. The Heart of the Ozarks Junior Golf Foundation also ensures kids play for free Sunday-Thursday.
• Developed and funded a four-hole junior course at Rivercut Golf Course.
• Has worked with the Springfield Cardinals to develop the Betty & Bobby Allison Community Suite at Hammons Field for use by youth and non-profit organizations.

“Bobby has been a true Hall-of-Famer to our Springfield-Greene County Park Board for many years now,” Director Bob Belote said. “He has significantly impacted our parks facilities and those opportunities we have to better the lives of our youth. Our park system, and the Springfield community in general, owe Bobby and the legacy of his mother, Betty, a tremendous sense of gratitude for all of the tremendously impactful work they have done.”

Recently, Allison stepped forward to help create soccer fields for Sporting Springfield’s youth club.

Outside of sports, Help Give Hope, Harmony House, Springfield Dream Center and a neonatal care unit at Mercy Hospital have helped thousands.

Harmony House is the only domestic violence center in Greene County, and Allison’s lead gift sparked the $6 million shelter toward its 2017 opening.

Said Harmony House Executive Director Lisa Farmer, “We are blessed to call Bobby Allison a friend.”

The entire community can say the same.