Sports

College Athletics

(Note: The names of colleges and universities associated with the following men were those at the time of their selection as Significant Sig. Updates and links are included for many. If you know of any relevant link to any of these Significant Sigs, please let me know.)

  • College Athletic Directors:
    • Dr. David O. Matthews (1979), Professor, Director and Developer of largest recreational sports program in U.S.: University of Illinois
    • John D. Bridgers (1985), Director of Athletics: University of New Mexico
    • Frederick A. Schaus (1985), Director of Athletics: West Virginia University
    • Carl Ullrich (1987), Athletic Director: U.S. Academy at West Point
    • Robert ``Joe" Dean (1989), Director of Athletics: Louisiana State University
  • College Baseball:
    • Frank Sancet (1971), Head Baseball Coach: University of Arizona; he is one of the Top 10 All-Time Winningest Coaches (The university has named its new baseball field "Frank Sancet Field")
    • Larry L. Cochell (1995), Varsity baseball coach, Oklahoma University
  • College Basketball:
    • A.C. "Dutch" Lonbord (1977), former Director of Athletics: Kansas and Olympic basketball coach
    • John M. Orr (1977), Head Basketball Coach: University of Michigan, National Coach of the Year
    • Eddie Sutton (1979), Coach of the Year (Stated as one of the greatest feats in NCAA history: "Eddie Sutton is the only coach to guide teams from four schools to the tournament: OSU, Creighton, Arkansas, and Kentucky.") and Head Basketball Coach: University of Arkansas ( President Clinton makes a special effort to attend games when he can.)
    • Darrell D. Hedric (1985), Head basketball coach: Miami University (Ohio)
    • F. LaDell Anderson (1987), Head basketball coach: Bringham Young University
    • Richard L. Van Scyoc (1995), State champion and winningest high school basketball coach in Illinois history
  • College football:
    • Fielding H. Yost (1941), Head Football Coach: University of Michigan (The University has honored Yost on campus: Fielding Yost Ice Arena
    • W. W. "Woody" Hayes (1959), Head Football Coach: Ohio State (The University has preserved Hayes' accomplishments by naming its athletic center "Woody Hayes Athletic Center"
    • Chalmers W. "Bump" Elliott (1967), Michigan football coach
    • Peter R. Elliott (1967), head football coach
    • John Pont (1969), Head Football Coach: Indiana
    • Robert L., Blackman (1971), Head Football coach: University of Illinois
  • John T. Majors (1973), head football coach: Iowa State and University of Pittsburgh
  • Fred S. Akers (1983), Head football coach: University of Texas
  • James C. Young (1983), Head football coach: West Point, Purdue, and U.S. Military Academy
  • William S. Arnsparger, Jr. (1985), Head football coach: Louisiana State University; currently Head Coach for the Rice Owls
  • Kenneth W. Hatfield (1985), Head football coach: University of Arkansas
  • Donald T. Larson (1987), Head football coach: Illinois Wesleyan University
  • Swimming and Diving:
    • Hobart "Hobie" Billingsley (1975), Diving Coach, Indiana University; past Olympic Coach
    • L. George McMillion (1985), Head swimming coach: Southern Methodist University
  • College Track and Field:
    • Dr. Donald C. Seaton (1985), former track coach: University of Illinois and University of Kentucky
  • William S. Dellinger (1989), Head track coach: University of Oregon (pictured right)
  • Robert E. Larsen (1991), Head Track Coach: UCLA

Professional Sports

(Note: The names of specific teams mentioned with each of the following men were those at the time of selection as Significant Sig.)

  • Adventurers:
  • Golf:
    • Charley Boswell (1961), 12-time national blind golfer's champion
    • James R. Carpenter (1989), Director of Golf: University of Mississippi and President of P.G.A.
    • Hord Hardin (1991), Chairman: Master's golf tournament
  • Horse Racing:
    • Harold C. Ramser (1981), thoroughbred horse breeder
    • Burton J. Kinerk (1995), Attorney, owner of top-raked race horse (Corker ran in the Kentucky Derby), and Treasurer of the University of Arizona Foundation
  • Olympics:
    • William Hybl (1993), Chairman: U.S. Olympic Committee
  • Professional Baseball:
    • Dick Groat (1961), shortstop for Pittsburgh Pirates and National League's Most Valuable Player
    • William M. Allyn (1969), President: Chicago White Sox
    • James A. Palmer (1973), professional baseball player: Baltimore Orioles; inducted into Baseball Hall of Fame
    • Robert B. Friend (1977), former pitcher: Pittsburgh Pirates
    • William S. Werber (1979),13-year pro baseball player and stolen bases leader
    • Bill Buckner (1981), first baseman: Chicago Cubs (The newly-released book One Pitch Away recalls that fateful moment Buckner will never forget.)
    • Bobby B. Winkles (1985), Director of Player Development: Chicago White Sox
    • Michael D. McClure (1987), Vice-President for Marketing: Chicago White Sox
    • William Y. Giles (1989), President: Philadelphia Phillies 
    • Robert J. Valentine (1989), Manager: Texas Rangers (Visit one-of-a-kind Bobby Valentine's Sports Gallery Cafe if you are in Arlington, Texas.
    • Don Slaught (1993), catcher: Pittsburgh Pirates
  • Professional Basketball:
    • Stan Albeck (1983), Head Basketball Coach: New Jersey Nets
    • Jack W. Sikma (1983), All-Star basketball player: Seattle Supersonics
    • Barry A. Ackerley (1985), Owner: Seattle Supersonics
    • Clyde E. Lovellette (1989), former Pro Basketball player, named to Hall of Fame
  • Professional Football:
    • Kenneth S. Adams, Jr. (1963), Owner: Houston Oilers and President: Ada Oil Co.
    • Edwin J. Anderson (1963), General Manager: Detroit Lions
    • Merlin J. Olsen (1971), professional football player (Los Angeles Rams) and TV sportscaster; inducted into Football Hall of Fame in 1982
    • Lou H. Suban (1971), Coach of Denver Broncos and Buffalo Bills
    • Henry "Hank" Stram (1971), Coach: Kansas City Chiefs; sports moderator for CBS radio
    • Michael K. Ditka (1973), former football player (Dallas Cowboys) and head coach (Chicago Bears) and NBC sportscaster; inducted into Football Hall of Fame in 1988
    • Robert A. Griese (1973), quarterback for Miami Dolphins; inducted into Football Hall of Fame in 1990
    • Chuck Howley (1973), football player: Dallas Cowboys (The only Super Bowls MVP to be chosen from a losing team: Dallas lost to Baltimore 16-13 in Super Bowl V.)
    • Bronko Nagurski (1973), retired football player; inducted into Football Hall of Fame in 1963
    • James L. Bakken (1977), Place kicker: St. Louis Cardinals
    • James B. Turner (1977), Place kicker: Denver Broncos
    • Don R. Hutson (1979), former football player (Green Bay Packers) and member of Hall of Fame
    • Clarence "Ace" Parker (1979), former football player and member of football Hall of Fame
    • Jack Patera (1981), Head football coach: Seattle Seahawks
    • Charles "Andy" Russell (1981), All-Pro linebacker: Pittsburgh Steelers
    • Ronald J. Kramer (1983), All-Pro football player and President: Ron Kramer Industries
    • John A. Robinson (1983), Head football coach: University of Southern California and Los Angeles Rams
    • Douglas J. Dieken (1985), Offensive left tackle: Cleveland Browns
    • John E. McVay (1985), General Manager: San Francisco 49ers
    • Edward A. White (1985), Offensive guard: San Diego Chargers
    • David T. Jennings (1987), Punter: New York Jets 
    • Robert T. Trumpy (1989), NBC Sports broadcaster, former Cincinnati Bengals tight end
    • Jim Everett III (1991), Los Angeles Rams quarterback
    • Mike Holmgren (1993), Head Coach: Green Bay Packers
  • Professional Hockey:
    • John W. McCloskey (1987), General Manager: Detroit Pistons
    • John A. Ziegler (1987), President: National Hockey League and Hockey Hall of Famer in 1987
    • Lloyd H. Pettit (1991), Milwaukee business man and owner of Milwaukee Admirals Hockey Team
  • Professional Tennis:
    • Marion A. ``Tony" Trabert (1973), former Wimbleton Champion and Davis Cup Captain; winner of U. S. Open in 1953 and 1955, Australian Open in 1955, French Open in 1954 and 1955, and U. S. Open Doubles Champion (with Vic Seixas) in 1955