PITTSBURG — Pittsburg State University alum and renowned sports artist Ted Watts has been honored by the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame in Wichita with its Distinguished Kansas Sportsman recognition.

Watts, a native of Owego, Kan., and a 1999 inductee to the PSU Athletics Hall of Fame, will be honored by Pitt State and Kansas Sports Hall of Fame officials during the Gorillas home football game Saturday (Nov. 2) against Northwestern Oklahoma State University.

Ted Hayes, President/CEO of the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame, stated that Watts is among the first to receive the distinction that, outside of induction into the Hall of Fame, is the highest honor the organization bestows on an individual contributor. 

"The Kansas Sports Hall of Fame is proud to recognize Mr. Watts for his years of dedication and commitment to the history of sports throughout Kansas and the nation," Hayes said.  "In addition to his outstanding artistry, his volunteer service to the youth of Kansas for so many years sets him at a level of dedication rarely seen and distinguishes him as one most worthy of Distinguished Kansas Sportsman recognition by the State of Kansas Sports Hall of Fame."

The Distinguished Kansas Sportsman designation is awarded by the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame "in recognition of those Kansans whose contributions to sports over a lifetime created a lasting and positive impact on youth and sports and significantly enhanced the quality of life for all."

Watts' portraits of the 77 Heisman Trophy winners has been on display at the College Football Hall of Fame and he has painted murals and portraits displayed at Pittsburg State University, the University of Kansas, Oklahoma University, Wichita State University, Texas Christian University, the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame and many other sports museums throughout the country.