The Missouri Sports Hall of Fame offers condolences and shares with the Kissell Family in mourning the passing of Virginia “Ginny” C. Kissell. She passed away on Oct. 29 in Springfield. She was 94. Kissell was the widow of George Kissell, who worked for the St. Louis Cardinals as either a player, scout or coach since… Read more »
Thumb through the 1997 Mizzou football media guide and there, on Page 187, you’ll run across a black-and-white photo of then-athletic director Joe Castiglione. It’s vintage Castiglione. He’s walking through a renovation project of Memorial Stadium – which was actually one project idea of many that ultimately came to fruition. “We have a vision of… Read more »
Back in 2011, after a Mizzou standout running back tore two knee ligaments, a meniscus and patellar tendon on the same play, Tiger fans had a rare glimpse into the world of the head team physician. In essence, Dr. Pat Smith showed his human side. Sure, it had always been there when he celebrated victories… Read more »
One day, you’re a neighborhood jogger. The next, you’re an Olympian. OK, so success didn’t quite happen that quickly for Missouri native Larry Young, but it’s not off by much. Living in Los Angeles in 1965 after serving in the Navy, Young began competing in weeknight, all-comer track meets. Three years later, he was in… Read more »
Jack Miles counts himself among the fortunate ones in life. While most others have no choice but to hang up their cleats after playing their final game in high school or college, he spent his adult life working in sports. That’s not to say Miles simply held down the fort, so to speak, in his… Read more »
Sometimes, the best plans don’t work out. Which is for the best. Just ask Richard Poe. In 1972, the former University of Missouri golfer detoured away from a law degree and life as an attorney by throwing everybody a curveball. Instead, he took on the role of the head golf professional at the brand-new Country… Read more »
If you’ve attended any athletic event across Missouri, you would know that people just refer to him as “Squeaky.” He’s become synonymous around Mizzou athletics. His love for the Black and Gold has taken him all across the country to see his beloved Tigers play. In essence, he’s a genuine PR guy for the state… Read more »
Back in the mid-1980s, anybody would have understood had Ben Loeb went off into the business world. After all, a marketing degree and an MBA were already in his back pocket. And yet there he was, on a college campus again and trying to earn a high school teaching certificate. You see, the ultimate goal… Read more »
The numbers paint an incredible picture of the Show-Me State Games: 25,000-plus; $619 million; $1.4 million. In order, that’s roughly the average number of participants every summer since 2004; the Games’ economic impact on Columbia in its 31-year history; and the non-profit’s annual budget. Certainly, Ken Ash, the executive director of the Show-Me State Games… Read more »
Statesman. Ambassador of the game. Hard worker. A great basketball IQ and once dubbed an “Einstein in Sneakers” by an opposing coach. Any of those descriptions certainly fit Jon Sundvold, one of the Show-Me State’s most respected figures ever to walk across the sports page, let alone the basketball court. Certainly, the Missouri Sports Hall… Read more »
Back on his family’s farm, Al Eberhard would shoot baskets at a backboard hanging from the barn door. And, if it was too cold outside, the day wasn’t lost. You see, his dad, who had poured the concrete slab outside to create a makeshift basketball surface, also hoisted a backboard inside, not far from the… Read more »
For those who ever subscribed to Sports Illustrated, who didn’t thumb immediately to “Faces in the Crowd” when each issue reached the mailbox? It was national recognition for the unsung athletes across America, and even better if they were from your neck of the woods. Overall, it was downright cool. In essence, if your name… Read more »
Some folks spend their days with the serious, gung-ho look of a drill sergeant. Others simply stay on an even keel. And then there is Suzy Thompson — all smiles and full of energy. But can you blame her? Thompson has lived a dream as a longtime cheerleading coach at Macon High School and the… Read more »
After snarling along the defensive line for the Mizzou Tigers’ bowl teams of the late 1970s and early 1980s and later for the NFL’s New York Giants, Jerome Sally could have taken the easy road. Perhaps snagged some cushy job. Maybe moved to some tropical locale. Instead, he’s worked in the Columbia public school system… Read more »
He lived the dream that so many couldn’t. Of reaching the big leagues with none other than the St. Louis Cardinals. Of playing outfield alongside Stan “The Man” Musial. And, years later in 1964, of experiencing the ultimate pinnacle by winning a World Series. Indeed, Charlie James has so many stories from his athletic days… Read more »
Former Kansas City Chiefs standout wide receiver Eddie Kennison, former Missouri State All-American tackle and coach Rich Johanningmeier and former Carrollton High School coach Stan Kee can now call themselves Missouri Sports Hall of Famers. The Hall inducted the trio during the NFL Kickoff Luncheon sponsored by Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company on Wednesday at… Read more »
