Hall of fame for former athletes opens

Monday, February 11, 2008

Former Jayhawk athletes walked through the new University of Kansas Athletics Hall of Fame exhibit wide-eyed and nostalgic at the hall’s grand opening Saturday morning at the Booth Family Hall of Athletics.

Many of the athletes and their families pulled out cell phones and digital cameras to take pictures of the exhibit.

breakbox

Opened: Saturday, Feb. 9

Located: Back wall of the Booth Family Hall of Athletics inside Allen Fieldhouse

Hours: Monday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

The new Hall of Fame features more than 300 laser-engraved photos of legendary Kansas athletes and teams. And this is no small exhibit — the pictures take up 800 square feet of wall space. Kansas Athletics Director Lew Perkins said the exhibit took about two years to complete.

“I think this is a great tribute to all our former athletes,” Perkins said. “We have such great tradition here and great athletes so we wanted to make sure we had a great hall of fame. To me, history and tradition is very, very important, and recognizing these former athletes is one of the most important things.”

The old Hall of Fame was in Allen Fieldhouse and featured sketches of the famous athletes and teams.

Bill Hougland, member of Kansas’ 1952 men’s basketball team, said that he enjoyed the new exhibit and that it was one of the best in the country.

“It gives a perspective of all the athletes we’ve had at the University who did so well and promoted the tradition that we have at the University,” Hougland said.

Former Kansas football and basketball radio announcer Max Falkenstien said that walking through the exhibit was like a trip down memory lane. Most of the names and faces on the wall spanned Falkenstien’s 60 years behind the microphone for the Jayhawks.

Photo by Jon Goering

Former KU athletes are recognized at halftime of Saturday's men's basketball win over Baylor.

The exhibit’s grand opening coordinated with the induction of the 2008 hall of fame class, which included members of the 1952 men’s basketball national championship and Olympic gold-medal team, world-record setting runners and other teams with memorable seasons. Overall, 33 individuals and 15 teams were inducted in a private ceremony held just before the grand opening of the hall of fame.

Tom Yergovich, a member of the world record-setting distance medley relay team in 1967, said that the induction was very emotional for him and others.

“I was choked up. I was honored,” Yergovich said. “I know how special it was then, and to have it happen now later in life makes it even more special.”

The athletes were also honored during halftime of the men’s basketball game against Baylor Saturday night.

Brief: February 6, 2008

This is the news in brief.

/news/2008/feb/06/brief_february_6_2008/

Sports broadcaster Falkenstien recovering

/news/2005/sep/08/sp_max_brief/

Former Kansas track star died Sunday

Wes Santee was a native Kansan and competed in the 1952 Summer ...

/news/2010/nov/14/former-kansas-track-star-died-sunday/

Broadcaster commences final season

/news/2005/sep/06/falkenstein/

/photos/2010/sep/25/12177/

KU Women's Hall of Fame opens

The KU Women's Hall of Fame is now open on the fifth ...

/news/2009/apr/09/ku_womens_hall_fame_opens/

Linnen and Czyz selected to Kansas Athletics ...

Pole vaulter Amy Linnen and pitcher Don Czyz will be inducted into ...

/news/2011/may/09/linnen-and-czyz-selected-kansas-hall-fame/

Basketball seats scarce

300 seats will be reserved during Saturday’s basketball game against Colorado. The ...

/news/2008/feb/15/seats/

KU Athletics self-imposes probation

/news/2005/jul/15/Violations/

Gier: Respect your elders

Kansas students and athletic fans have a lot to be proud of.

/news/2010/sep/29/gier-respect-your-elders/

New members to KU Hall of Fame

A track and field star and former baseball All-American will be inducted ...

/news/2011/may/05/new-members-ku-hall-fame/

University celebrates 40 years of women’s athletics

Marlene Mawson’s induction and rowing boathouse dedication highlights weekend devoted to women’s ...

/news/2009/mar/02/40/

Five inducted into Women’s Hall of Fame

Gov. Sebelius and three professors among honorees at a ceremony Tuesday.

/news/2009/apr/22/five_inducted_womens_hall_fame/

Nothing like Kansas basketball

Unique traditions add to the experience of watching a Kansas basketball game ...

/news/2009/nov/20/nothing-kansas-basketball/

Sayers returns to athletics department

Former halfback will serve as director of fundraising for special projects.

/news/2009/sep/01/sports_sayers_returns/

Track team breaks in upgraded facilities

Kansas' track and field team used the newly installed track and field ...

/news/2011/dec/04/track-team-breaks-upgraded-facilities/

Basketball notes: April 7, 2008

Team, coaches all smiles after Final Four victory.

/news/2008/apr/07/basketball_notes/

'A Long Story,' but told so well

Announcer Max Falkenstien was courtstidefor 60 of Kansas basketball's 110 years.

/news/2008/feb/15/long_story_told_so_well/

Finding faith with James Naismith

Very few realize that James Naismith created basketball as a way to ...

/news/2012/may/02/finding-faith-james-naismith/

Jayplay Calendar: April 26 to May 1

Check out Jayplay's Hottest Events for the week!

/news/2007/apr/26/jayplay_calendar_april_26_may_1/

Big 12 basketball championships to stay in ...

Athletic directors from the Big 12 schools reaffirmed their commitment to hosting ...

/news/2011/dec/06/big-12-basketball-championships-stay/

Riggins to be honored at home opener

John Riggins led the Jayhawks to the Orange Bowl while at KU. ...

/news/2007/aug/23/riggins/

Falkenstien calling Legends of the Phog game

Kansas commentary legend Max Falkenstien will be making a return to call ...

/news/2011/sep/22/falkenstien-calling-legends/

'The House of Horrors'

In the days before Allen Fieldhouse, the Jayhawks played in less-than-ideal conditions.

/news/2008/feb/15/house_horrors/

A strong foundation: Campus architect builds legacy

After a 63-year career, Warren Corman, University Architect, will retire on Thursday.

/news/2010/dec/06/strong-foundation/

Manning inducted into National Collegiate Basketball Hall ...

Inducted along with Manning Sunday was Charles Barkley, Arnie Ferrin, Nolan Richardson, ...

/news/2008/nov/24/Manning/

Library exhibit spotlights climate issue

The first KU Libraries exhibit will incorporate an interdisciplinary approach to the ...

/news/2009/feb/11/library/

Sayers recognized for lifetime achievement

Lew Perkins and Brandon Rush also received awards from the Kansas City ...

/news/2008/jun/21/awards/

The march to 2,000 victories

As the Jayhawks approach the historic mark, The Wave takes a closer ...

/news/2010/feb/10/march-2000-victories/

For Bechard, coaching is a family affair

Volleyball coach Ray Bechard has coached through winning seasons and personal losses.

/news/2012/feb/02/bechard-coaching-family-affair/

Jayplay Calendar: March 1, 2007

Checkout Jayplay's hottest events for the week of March 1 to March ...

/news/2007/mar/01/jayplay_calendar_march_1_2007/

State to honor Falkenstien

/news/2006/apr/26/falkenstein_brief/

Sayers admitted to Athletic Administrator Hall of ...

/news/2009/jan/23/sayers/

The Morning Brew: Receivers steal show during ...

/news/2008/sep/02/morning_brew/

Wheeler: Self knows how to win

Fans, players and coach Bill Self all have high expectations for the ...

/news/2007/oct/26/wheeler/

Living the Wright life

Wright left Kansas for the NBA last year. His life outside of ...

/news/2008/apr/17/julian/

March Madness, intramurals style

Four divisions finished their intramural tournaments Wednesday, more finished Thursday night.

/news/2007/mar/16/intramurals/

/photos/2011/sep/16/18720/

Remembering a legend

Wilt Chamberlain stands out as one of the greatest players in school ...

/news/2008/feb/15/remembering_legend/

Self excited for Hall of Fame Showcase

Men’s basketball team to compete against Memphis in St. Louis.

/news/2009/sep/10/self_hall_fame_showcase/

Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.

Sign in to comment

Or login with:

OpenID