WICHITA, Kan. — Kansas Sports Hall of Fame Chairman Jim Dunning Jr. has announced the 10 members of the 2025 induction class, which will be honored Saturday, Aug. 2, in Topeka.
This year’s class features a diverse group of standout coaches, Olympians, national champions, All-Americans, and record holders at both the national and world level.
“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 Kansas and come from all walks of life. Their stories provide inspiration to all Kansans.”
The 2025 inductees are:
- Larry Brown – The 1972 NFL MVP running back with Washington, who played collegiately at Dodge City Community College and Kansas State.
- Tim Jankovich – A former All-State basketball player from Manhattan High School, who helped lead Kansas State to three NCAA Tournament appearances. He compiled a 332-199 career record as a collegiate head coach.
- J.C. Louderback – A three-sport standout at Southwestern College and longtime Arkansas City High School boys tennis coach. He also served as a college football and basketball official.
- Bob Lutz – A sports reporter and columnist with the Wichita Eagle for more than 40 years. He founded League 42, an urban youth baseball organization in Wichita.
- Kendric Maple – A wrestling state champion at Wichita Heights High School and an NCAA champion and three-time All-American at the University of Oklahoma.
- Bobby Randall – A Norton native and Gove High School graduate who played five seasons in Major League Baseball with the Minnesota Twins. He ranks second in career batting average at Kansas State and later coached at Iowa State, the University of Kansas, and Manhattan Christian College.
- Laverne Smith – A football and track star at Wichita Southeast and the University of Kansas. He set KU records in rushing and touchdowns and still holds the 100-meter dash record. He later played in the NFL for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
- Deb (Pihl) Torneden – A four-time All-American at Kansas State, she was named Most Outstanding Performer at the 1984 Big Eight Indoor Championships. A national masters champion, she holds 23 Kansas road race age-group records.
- Clifford Wiley – A 1980 U.S. Olympic Team member and standout sprinter for the University of Kansas. Wiley was a world record holder, World Cup champion, three-time U.S. national champion, NCAA champion, and 13-time All-American.
Additionally, Mark Mangino, former Kansas head football coach and Kansas State assistant, was selected in 2024 but will be honored during this year’s ceremony due to a scheduling conflict last year.
The induction raises the total number of Kansas Sports Hall of Fame members to 349. The Hall was established by the Kansas State Legislature in 1961 as part of the state’s Centennial Celebration, with original honorees including James Naismith, Mike Ahearn, Glenn Cunningham, Walter Johnson, and Jess Willard.
The 2025 Induction Ceremony begins at 10 a.m. at the Washburn University Ballroom, 1700 SW College Ave., followed by a reception and lunch. Tickets are $50 and available at kshof.org.
For sponsorship opportunities, contact KSHOF Executive Director Richard Konzem at 785-331-6607 or [email protected].