Iowa Sports Hall of Fame
Encyclopedia
The Iowa Sports Hall of Fame, sponsored by the Des Moines Register
, honors outstanding athletes and sports contributors. To be eligible, members must have either been born in Iowa
or gained prominence while competing for a college or university in Iowa.
Leighton Housh, former executive sports editor
of the Register, established the Hall of Fame
in 1951. Twenty-four athletes were chosen in the inangural class. The Hall of Fame now includes more than 170 athletes from 20 sports. Inductees are chosen by veteran members of the Register's sports department.
Des Moines Register
The Des Moines Register is the daily morning newspaper of Des Moines, Iowa, in the United States. A separate edition of the Register is sold throughout much of Iowa.-History:...
, honors outstanding athletes and sports contributors. To be eligible, members must have either been born in Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
or gained prominence while competing for a college or university in Iowa.
Leighton Housh, former executive sports editor
Sports journalism
Sports journalism is a form of journalism that reports on sports topics and events.While the sports department within some newspapers has been mockingly called the toy department, because sports journalists do not concern themselves with the 'serious' topics covered by the news desk, sports...
of the Register, established the Hall of Fame
Hall of Fame
A hall of fame, wall of fame, walk of fame, walk of stars or avenue of stars is a type of attraction established for any field of endeavor to honor individuals of noteworthy achievement in that field...
in 1951. Twenty-four athletes were chosen in the inangural class. The Hall of Fame now includes more than 170 athletes from 20 sports. Inductees are chosen by veteran members of the Register's sports department.
Football
- 1951 - Jay BerwangerJay BerwangerJohn Jacob "Jay" Berwanger was an American football halfback born in Dubuque, Iowa. He was the first winner of the Downtown Athletic Club Trophy in 1935 ; the trophy is awarded annually to the nation's most outstanding college football player...
- 1951 - Aubrey DevineAubrey DevineAubrey A. Devine was a college football player for the University of Iowa. He is enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame.-Background:...
- 1951 - Nile KinnickNile KinnickNile Clarke Kinnick, Jr. was a student and a college football player at the University of Iowa. He won the 1939 Heisman Trophy and was a consensus All-American. He died during a training flight while serving as a U.S Navy aviator in World War II...
- 1951 - Elmer LaydenElmer LaydenElmer Francis Layden was an American football player, coach, college athletics administrator, and professional sports executive. He played college football at the University of Notre Dame where he starred at fullback as a member of the legendary "Four Horsemen" backfield...
- 1951 - Duke SlaterDuke SlaterFrederick Wayman "Duke" Slater was an American football player and one of the great black players of his era. Slater played for the University of Iowa in college and played professionally for ten years...
- 1956 - Clyde WilliamsClyde Williams (football)Samuel Clyde Williams was an All-American football player at the University of Iowa, and a football, basketball, and baseball coach and athletic director at Iowa State University. He is a member of both schools' Halls of Fame.- College career :Clyde Williams was born in Shelby, Iowa...
- 1958 - Gordon LockeGordon LockeGordon C. Locke was an American football player and coach in the United States. He played college football at the University of Iowa, where he was a two-time All-American...
- 1959 - Billy EdsonBilly EdsonWillis Charles “Billy” Edson was a football player, lawyer, and politician in Iowa. He was a halfback on the University of Iowa’s Big Ten championship team in 1900 and was the Speaker of the Iowa House of Representatives from 1925-1926.-Playing career:Billy Edson learned football while attending...
- 1961 - Joe LawsJoe LawsJoe Laws was an American football player. He played his entire career with the Green Bay Packers, winning three World Championships, and was inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame in 1972. Prior to joining the Packers, Laws attended the University of Iowa where he was a member of the...
- 1962 - Eddie Anderson
- 1970 - Johnny BrightJohnny BrightJohnny D. Bright was a professional Canadian football player in the Canadian Football League. He played college football at Drake University...
- 1971 - Cal JonesCal JonesCalvin Jack Jones was a college football player for the University of Iowa. Jones is one of only two Iowa football players to have his jersey number retired by the school. Jones became the first Hawkeye, and the first African-American, to win the Outland Trophy in 1955...
- 1973 - Willis GlassgowWillis GlassgowWillis Allen "Bill" Glasgow was an American football player and attorney. He played halfback for the University of Iowa from 1927 to 1929, was selected as a first-team All-American in 1929, and received the 1929 Chicago Tribune Silver Football as the best football player in the Big Ten Conference...
- 1975 - Emlen TunnellEmlen TunnellEmlen Lewis Tunnell was an American football player. He was the first African American to play for the New York Giants, and was inducted into the Professional Football Hall of Fame in 1967. He played in the National Football League for the Giants and Green Bay Packers...
- 1976 - Randy DuncanRandy DuncanHearst Randolph "Randy" Duncan, Jr. is a former American collegiate and Professional Football quarterback. He played college football at the University of Iowa. He played in two Rose Bowls and has been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame...
- 1977 - Alex KarrasAlex KarrasAlexander George "Alex" Karras , nicknamed "The Mad Duck", is a former football player, professional wrestler, and actor, best known for his stint with the Detroit Lions of the National Football League from 1958–1962 and 1964-1970 and for his role as Mongo in the film Blazing Saddles...
- 1980 - Don PerkinsDon PerkinsDonald Anthony Perkins is a former American football halfback who spent eight seasons with the NFL's Dallas Cowboys.-Early years:...
- 1983 - Mike EnichMike EnichMike Enich was a college football player for the University of Iowa. He was a member of Iowa’s 1939 “Ironmen” team and a first team All-American in 1940.-Playing career:...
- 1985 - Paul KrausePaul KrausePaul James Krause is a former American football defensive back who played in the National Football League...
- 1986 - Ed PodolakEd PodolakEdward Joseph Podolak is a former professional American football player. He played quarterback and halfback at the University of Iowa before being selected by the American Football League's Kansas City Chiefs in the second round of the 1969 Common Draft.During a nine-year career from 1969 to 1977,...
- 1987 - Wally HilgenbergWally HilgenbergWalter Hilgenberg was a professional American football player.Hilgenberg was born in Marshalltown, Iowa in 1942. His family moved to Wilton where he grew up and graduated from Wilton High School....
- 1989 - Forest EvashevskiForest EvashevskiForest "Evy" Evashevski was an American football player, coach, and college athletics administrator. He played college football at the University of Michigan from 1938 to 1940 and with the Iowa Pre-Flight Seahawks in 1942...
- 1998 - Roger Craig
- 1999 - Matt BlairMatt BlairMatt Blair was an outside linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League for all 12 seasons of his career from 1974 to 1985.-Career:...
- 2000 - Larry StationLarry StationLarry W. Station, Jr. was a college football player for the University of Iowa. Station, who played linebacker, is Iowa's leader in career tackles and was twice named as a consensus first team All-American...
- 2001 - Chuck LongChuck LongChuck Long is an American football coach. He played quarterback in college at Iowa for Hayden Fry and professionally with the Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Rams. He is an inductee of the College Football Hall of Fame. In the January 2008 issue of San Diego Magazine he was chosen as one of...
- 2002 - Ken PloenKen PloenKenneth "Ken" Ploen [PLAYN], OM was a star quarterback in American college football and for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League .-College football:...
- 2002 - Chad HenningsChad HenningsChad William Hennings is a former American football defensive lineman for the Air Force Academy Falcons and Dallas Cowboys. He won the Outland Trophy in his senior year of college...
- 2003 - Reggie RobyReggie RobyReginald Henry "Reggie" Roby was an American football punter in the National Football League and a three-time Pro Bowler. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the sixth round of the 1983 NFL Draft out of the University of Iowa...
Basketball
- 1951 - Murray WierMurray WierMurray Neal Wier , nicknamed "Rampaging Redhead" and "Wizard Wier," is an American former professional basketball player for the Tri-Cities Blackhawks and the Waterloo Hawks...
- 1980 - Carl CainCarl CainCarl Cecil Cain was an American basketball player who competed in the 1956 Summer Olympics. Cain played collegiately at the University of Iowa....
- 1983 - Don NelsonDon NelsonDonald Arvid "Don" Nelson is a former NBA player and head coach. He coached the Milwaukee Bucks, the New York Knicks, the Dallas Mavericks, and the Golden State Warriors....
- 1990 - Fred Brown
- 1993 - John JohnsonJohn Johnson (basketball)John Howard Getty "J.J." Johnson is a former American basketball player.Johnson was a 6’7” small forward who played high school basketball at Messmer High School, and collegiately for Northwest College in Powell, Wyoming and for the University of Iowa...
- 1994 - Ronnie LesterRonnie LesterRonnie Lester is an American sports figure in the areas of collegiate and professional basketball.-High school career:...
- 1999 - Bobby Hansen
Baseball
- 1951 - "Cap" AnsonCap AnsonAdrian Constantine Anson , nicknamed "Cap" and "Pop", was a National Association and Major League Baseball first baseman...
- 1951 - Fred ClarkeFred ClarkeFred Clifford Clarke was a Major League Baseball player from 1894 to and manager from 1897 to 1915. A Hall of Famer, Clarke played for and managed both the Louisville Colonels and Pittsburgh Pirates. He was a left fielder and left-handed batter.Of the nine pennants in Pittsburgh franchise...
- 1951 - "Red" FaberRed FaberUrban Clarence "Red" Faber was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball from through , playing his entire career for the Chicago White Sox. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1964....
- 1951 - Bob FellerBob FellerOn December 8, 1941, Feller enlisted in the Navy, volunteering immediately for combat service, becoming the first Major League Baseball player to do so following the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7. Feller served as Gun Captain aboard the USS Alabama, and missed four seasons during his service...
- 1952 - "Dazzy" VanceDazzy VanceCharles Arthur "Dazzy" Vance was a star Major League Baseball starting pitcher during the 1920s.-Biography:...
- 1954 - Dave BancroftDave BancroftDavid James "Beauty" Bancroft was an American baseball player who played Major League Baseball from 1915 to 1930. He is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame....
- 1956 - "Jack" CoombsJack CoombsJohn Wesley "Jack" Coombs , nicknamed Colby Jack after his alma mater, was a pitcher in Major League Baseball who played with the Philadelphia Athletics , Brooklyn Robins , and Detroit Tigers...
- 1961 - "Bing" MillerBing MillerEdmund John "Bing" Miller was an American Major League Baseball outfielder and coach. Born in Vinton, Iowa, he was 6' tall and weighed 185 pounds and hit and threw right-handed...
- 1962 - Hank SevereidHank SevereidHenry Levai Severeid born in Story City, Iowa was a Catcher for the Cincinnati Reds , St. Louis Browns , Washington Senators and New York Yankees ....
- 1963 - Earl WhitehillEarl WhitehillEarl Oliver Whitehill was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He played for the Detroit Tigers for the most significant portion of his career , and later with the Washington Senators , Cleveland Indians , and the Chicago Cubs...
- 1965 - Hal TroskyHal TroskyHarold Arthur Trosky, Sr., born Harold Arthur Trojovsky , was an American first baseman in Major League Baseball for the Cleveland Indians and the Chicago White Sox . Trosky was born in Norway, Iowa. He batted left-handed and threw right-handed.Trosky had a career .302 batting average, with a...
- 1968 - Cal McVeyCal McVeyCalvin Alexander McVey was a professional baseball player during the 1860s and 1870s. McVey's importance to the game stems from his play on two of the earliest professional baseball teams, the original Cincinnati Red Stockings and the National Association Boston Red Stockings...
- 1970 - George Stone, batting champion
- 1976 - George PipgrasGeorge PipgrasGeorge William Pipgras was an American right-handed starting pitcher and umpire in Major League Baseball. Known as "The Danish Viking," he spent most of his playing career with the New York Yankees, breaking in as a rookie in 1923...
- 1984 - Chet BrewerChet BrewerChester Arthur "Chet" Brewer was an American right-handed pitcher in baseball's Negro Leagues. Born in Leavenworth, Kansas, he played for the Kansas City Monarchs, and from 1957 to 1974 he scouted for the Pittsburgh Pirates....
- 1988 - Jack DittmerJack DittmerJohn Douglas "Jack" Dittmer is a former Major League Baseball second baseman. He played six seasons in the majors, from until , for the Boston and Milwaukee Braves and Detroit Tigers....
- 2000 - Mike BoddickerMike BoddickerFor the similarly named musician , see Michael BoddickerMichael James "Mike" Boddicker was a right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles , Boston Red Sox , Kansas City Royals , and Milwaukee Brewers...
Other Sports
- 1951 - "Farmer" Burns, wrestling
- 1951 - Sabin CarrSabin CarrSabin William Carr was an American athlete who competed in the men's pole vault. He competed in Athletics at the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam and won gold....
, track and field - 1951 - Welker CochranWelker CochranWelker Cochran was an American professional carom billiards player who won world titles in two different disciplines, balkline and three-cushion billiards.-Biography:He was born in Manson, Iowa...
, billiards - 1951 - Frank GotchFrank GotchFrank Alvin Gotch was an American professional wrestler of German ancestry, the first American to win the world heavyweight free-style championship, and credited for popularizing professional wrestling in the United States...
, wrestling - 1951 - George SalingGeorge SalingGeorge J. Saling was an American athlete, winner of 110 m hurdles at the 1932 Summer Olympics.Saling was born in Memphis, Missouri, but the family moved to Corydon, Iowa when George was three months old. He graduated from Corydon High School in 1927 and was the captain of the basketball team...
, track and field - 1951 - Morgan TaylorMorgan TaylorFrederick Morgan Taylor was an American hurdler, winner of three Olympic medals. Morgan Taylor, from Sioux City, Iowa, competed in both track and field and football at Grinnell College...
, track and field - 1952 - Earl CaddockEarl CaddockEarl Caddock was a professional wrestler who was active in the early portion of the twentieth century. As the first man to bill himself as "The Man of 1,000 Holds" , Caddock was one of professional wrestling's biggest stars between the years of 1915 and 1922.-Early life:Earl Caddock was born...
, wrestling - 1959 - Harris CoggeshallHarris CoggeshallHarris Coggeshall was an outstanding American tennis player in the 1920s and 1930s.Born September 23, 1907, in Des Moines, Iowa, Coggeshall was a runner-up in doubles at both the National Clay Court Championships in 1930 and the National Indoor Championship in 1929.At the Cincinnati Masters, he...
, tennis - 1972 - Garfield WoodGarfield WoodGarfield ‘Gar’ Arthur Wood was an American inventor, entrepreneur, motorboat builder and racer who held the world water speed record on several occasions. He was the first man to travel over 100 miles per hour on water....
, speedboat racing - 1972 - Jack FleckJack FleckJack Fleck is an American professional golfer best known for winning the 1955 U.S. Open. He is the oldest living U.S. Open champion....
, golf - 1973 - Frank WykoffFrank WykoffFrank Clifford Wyckoff was an American athlete, triple gold medal winner in 4x100 m relay at the Olympic Games....
, track and field - 1981 - Doreen WilberDoreen WilberDoreen Viola Hansen Wilber was an American archer from Rutland, Iowa.-Biography:At the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Wilber won the gold medal in the women's section of the first modern Olympic archery competition, aged 42. Along with John Williams, Wilber led the U.S...
, archery - 1981 - Dan GableDan GableDan Gable is an American amateur wrestler. He is famous for having only lost one match in his entire Iowa State University collegiate career—his last, and winning gold at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, Germany while not giving up a single point...
, wrestling - 1982 - Bruce JennerBruce JennerWilliam Bruce Jenner is a former U.S. track and field athlete, motivational speaker, socialite and television personality. He won the gold medal for decathlon in the Montreal 1976 Summer Olympics....
, track and field - 1990 - "Tiny" LundTiny LundDeWayne Louis "Tiny" Lund was a NASCAR driver. He was ironically nicknamed "Tiny" due to his rather large and imposing size.-Background:...
, auto racing - 1993 - Francis Cretzmeyer, track and field
- 1993 - Chris TaylorChris Taylor (wrestler)Chris Taylor was an American freestyle wrestler who competed at 1972 Munich Olympics. At 412 pounds he was the heaviest Olympian ever until the appearance of judoka Ricardo Blas, Jr. in 2008...
, wrestling - 1994 - Nawal El MoutawakelNawal El MoutawakelNawal El Moutawakel is a Moroccan hurdler, who won the inaugural women's 400 m hurdles event at the 1984 Summer Olympics, thereby becoming the first female Muslim born on the continent of Africa to become an Olympic champion. She was also the first Moroccan and the first woman from a Muslim...
, track and field - 1997 - Judy KimballJudy KimballJudy Kimball Simon is an American professional golfer best known for winning the 1962 LPGA Championship, an LPGA major.Kimball was born in Sioux City, Iowa. She graduated from Kansas University in 1960...
, golf - 2003 - Danny HarrisDanny HarrisDanny Lee Harris is a former American 400m hurdles runner who won silver medals at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles and the 1987 World Championships in Rome, both behind Edwin Moses...
, track
External links
- Iowa Sports Hall of Fame webpage (DesMoinesRegister.com)