2025 Kansas Sports Hall of Fame Class Announced
Wichita, Kan.–Kansas Sports Hall of Fame Chairman Jim Dunning, Jr. announced today the selection of the 10 individuals to be inducted, Saturday, August 2 in Topeka.
The class includes award-winning coaches, Olympians, national champions, All-Americans, and World and American-record holders.
“This is an accomplished group and one the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame is extremely proud to recognize on behalf of the entire state,” Dunning said. The individuals represent the best of the state of Kansas and come from diverse backgrounds. Their stories provide inspiration to all Kansans.”
The honorees include:
Larry Brown – 1972 NFL MVP running back for Washington who played at Dodge City Community College and Kansas State.
Tim Jankovich – All-State basketball player from Manhattan HS who later led Kansas State to three NCAA Tournament appearances. He had a collegiate basketball head coaching record of 332-199.
J.C. Louderback – Three-sport standout at Southwestern College. Was the Arkansas City HS boys tennis coach for 36 years and longtime college football and basketball official.
Bob Lutz – Wichita Eagle sports reporter and columnist for more than 40 years. He established the League 42 urban youth baseball organization in Wichita.
Kendric Maple – State titlest in wrestling at Wichita Heights HS, and NCAA championship wrestler and three-time All-American at Oklahoma.
Bobby Randall – Born in Norton but attended high school in Gove…Played five years in MLB for the Minnesota Twins, and still ranks second in career batting average at Kansas State. Longtime Head Coach at Iowa State, University of Kansas and Manhattan Christian College.
Laverne Smith – Set career and season rushing and touchdown records at Kansas and played in the NFL for the Pittsburgh Steelers. A track and football standout at Wichita Southeast and the University of Kansas, he still holds the KU 100-meter dash record.
Deb (Pihl) Torneden – Running for Kansas State University, was the Most Outstanding Performer at the 1984 Big Eight Conference Indoor Championships. Was a four-time All-American and National Masters Champion. She holds 23 Kansas road race age group records.
Clifford Wiley – 1980 U.S. Olympic Team sprint team member. Competing for the University of Kansas was a world record holder, World Cup Champion, three-time U.S. national champion, NCAA Champion and 13-time All-American.
NOTE: Former Kansas State assistant football coach and Kansas head coach Mark Mangino was selected in 2024 but could not attend the induction ceremonies. He will be recognized at the 2025 event.
This year’s class brings the total number of Inductees to 349, with the first class in 1961 including such legends as Dr. James Naismith, Mike Ahearn, Glenn Cunningham, Walter Johnson and Jess Willard. Created by the Kansas State legislature in 1961 during the state’s Centennial Celebration, the hall has operated for 64 years.
The Induction Ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m., followed by a reception and lunch at the Washburn University Ballroom located at 1700 SW College Ave. Tickets for the event are $50 and may be purchased online at kshof.org or by clicking HERE.
Those wishing to be a sponsor for the event, contact KSHOF Executive Director Richard Konzem at 785-331-6607 or richard@kshof.org.
