Pittsburg State University

Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame

Wes Baker (1997-2000)
LaCygne, Kansas
Football Athlete
Wes Baker earned NCAA Division II All-America honors in each of his final three seasons, including consensus first-team All-America honors as a senior in 2000. Baker finished his career with 314 stops, ranking sixth on the Gorillas’ all-time tackles. He earned first-team All-MIAA honors from 1998-2000. Baker received honorable mention All-America honors as a sophomore in 1998, before earning second-team All-America recognition as a junior in 1999. Following his career, Baker was selected to the school’s 100th Anniversary Football Team in 2003.

Homer G. Cole
Pittsburg, Kansas
Meritorious Achievement Legacy
Homer Cole was a five-year member of the PSU basketball team from 1946-50 after serving his country in the U.S. Air Force during World War II. Cole was awarded the Purple Heart, the WWII Victory Medal and the Air Combat Medal among his many honors during his decorated military service.  Later, he set a PSU record for career games played (110), a mark that stood for nearly 50 years. Cole served as a Pittsburg City Commissioner from 1987-91, including serving as mayor of the city of Pittsburg. He was a staunch Senior Citizen advocate and the city named the Homer G. Cole Senior Citizen Building in his honor. He also has has been an active supporter of PSU Athletics throughout the years.

Larry Garman
Seneca, Missouri
Meritorious Achievement
Larry Garman enjoyed one of the most successful football coaching tenures in Kansas state history during a decorated tenure at Pittsburg High School that
spanned from 1965-1998.  Following his retirement from PHS, Garman joined the Pitt State football coaching staff as a volunteer assistant football coach.
Garman compiled a 255-84-5 (.749) career record in 34 years leading the Purple Dragons. He guided PHS to Kansas Class 5A state titles in 1983, 1988 and 1990. Garman also led the Purple Dragons to a state record 21 playoff appearances and 31 winning seasons. He was inducted into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2001. Garman received a Distinguished Alumni Award from PSU in 1972.

Ryan Keith (1993-96)
Pittsburg, Kansas
Track & Field Athlete
Ryan Keith earned NCAA Division II All-America honors in the throwing disciplines on six occasions during a decorated career for the Gorillas, including capturing the national championship in the shot put during the 1995 indoor season. Keith was a four-time MIAA champion in the shot put as well as a 12-time All-MIAA performer in the throws. He earned All-America honors all four years in the shot put during the outdoor season, placing fourth in 1993-95 and third in 1996. He captured the 1995 indoor national title with a 58-1.75 throw and Keith earned All-America honors with a sixth-place showing in the discus in 1995.

Harry McDonald
Arma, Kansas
Meritorious Achievement Legacy
Harry McDonald was a four-year football letterwinner for the Gorillas from 1937-40. McDonald started a decorated coaching career at Arma High School in 1947 and his tenure spanned until 1967. He coached football, basketball and track & field. McDonald compiled 271 coaching victories in the sports of football and basketball, including a 40-game winning streak in football that spanned from 1953-58 prior to the advent of the state playoff system. He posted a 175-64 record as basketball coach and his 1952 track & field team won the Kansas Class B state championship. McDonald was inducted into the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) Hall of Fame in 1999.

B.J. McGivern (1992-95)
Topeka, Kansas
Football Athlete
B.J. McGivern earned first-team NCAA Division II All-America honors as a senior in 1995 when he recorded a single-season record 172 tackles for the Gorillas. McGivern garnered first-team All-MIAA honors and was selected the 1995 MIAA Defensive Player of the Year while helping Pitt State to a 12-1-1 record and a national runner-up finish. He received first-team All-America honors from Daktronics and Football Gazette. Following his playing career, McGivern was selected to PSU’s 100th Anniversary Football Team in 2003.

Maria (Guerrero) Murrison
Garden City, Kansas
Track & Field Athlete
Maria (Guerrero) Murrison garnered NCAA Division II All-America honors on six occasions during her two-year career in the Pitt State women’s track & field program. Murrison placed third nationally in the javelin in 1993 and third nationally in the shot put in 1994. She also placed fifth in the country in the discus in 1993. Additionally, Murrison was a five-time MIAA individual event champion as well as an eight-time All-MIAA performer in the throwing disciplines.  She set
PSU records in the shot put (47-2.25) and the discus (163-1).