Pittsburg State University

Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame

J.W. Emerson
Checotah, Okla.
Meritorious Achievement
J.W. Emerson enjoyed a decorated coaching career, primarily in the prep ranks, after competing in football at Pitt State for two seasons in 1951-52. Emerson fashioned a 221-111 record as a high school coach. He served as head coach at Tulsa’s Union H.S. from 1977-89, leading the team to five district titles and eight playoff berths. Emerson also served as head coach at Manhattan H.S. from 1969-75 leading the school to a state championship and four league titles.  He also enjoyed successful stints as head coach at Ottawa H.S. (1962-68), Columbus H.S. (1959-61), Lamar (Mo.) H.S. (1956-58) and Ava (Mo.) H.S. (1954-55).  Emerson also spent two seasons as quarterbacks/wide receivers coach at Kansas State University (1976-77).

Ronald Moore (1989-92)
Spencer, Okla.
Football Athlete
Ronald Moore captured the 1992 Harlon Hill Award as the NCAA Division II national player of the year during his senior season. Moore finished his collegiate career as the school’s all-time rushing leader with 4,299 yards and 52 touchdowns.  He rushed for a school record 2,585 yards and 39 touchdowns as a senior in 1992, earning consensus first-team All-America honors en route to the national player of the year recognition. Moore was a three-time All-MIAA performer, and he was the MIAA’s 1992 Offensive Player of the Year selection. Moore, a seven-year NFL veteran, was inducted into the Division II Football Hall of Fame in 2005 and he was tabbed to Pitt State’s 100th Anniversary Football Team in 2003.

Ben Peterson (1995-98)
Clay Center, Kansas
Football Athlete
Ben Peterson twice earned NCAA Division II All-America honors as a defensive end for the Gorillas during a decorated four-year career. Peterson was a first-team All-America selection as a senior in 1998 after earning honorable mention All-America honors as a junior in 1997. Peterson, who was named to PSU’s 100th Anniversary Football Team in 2003, recorded 241 career tackles including 29.0 career quarterback sacks. He was a three-time All-MIAA selection, garnering first-team honors in each of his final two seasons for the Gorillas. Peterson also earned Academic All-America® honors as a senior in 1998.

Tommy Riggs
Chetopa, Kansas
Meritorious Achievement
Tommy Riggs served as an invaluable member of the support staff for PSU Athletics for 10 years until his unexpected death at age 32 on July 21, 2007. During his tenure at PSU, Riggs oversaw the school’s comprehensive licensing program, handled advertising and corporate sponsorship programs, coordinated special events associated with PSU Athletics and assisted with administration of the PSU Athletics Scholarship & Fund Drive, while rising to the rank of Associate Athletic Director. He played a key role in the Carnie Smith Stadium Renovation/Expansion Project and he was instrumental in PSU’s recruitment of the Kansas Shrine Bowl to Pittsburg, as well as bringing numerous high school state playoff games to the community.

Fran Wachter (1929-32)
Frontenac, Kansas
Basketball Legacy Athlete
Fran Wachter garnered All-Central Intercollegiate Conference (CIC) honors in each of his final three seasons in basketball playing for legendary Pitt State coach John Lance. Wachter was a key member of the Gorillas’ undefeated squads in 1930 and 1931, helping the team post 47 consecutive victories overall between Dec. 14, 1929 and Jan. 5, 1932. He scored 332 points in 85 career games. Wachter was a first-team All-CIC performer in 1930 and 1932, while earning second-team All-CIC honors as a junior in 1931.

Walter C. “Vic” White (1926-29)
Oswego, Kansas
Track & Field Legacy Athlete
Walter “Vic” White won three consecutive Kansas Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (KIAC) titles in the shot put from 1927-29. White placed fourth at the 1928 AAU National Championships in the shot put with a throw of 48-feet, 1.5 inches. He was a four-time All-KIAC performer in the discipline.  White placed third in the conference in the shot put as a freshman in 1926, before capturing his three straight league crowns in the event.