Athletic Hall of Fame 1982 Inductees
Edward R. Dissinger, 1936
Graduated from Oskaloosa High School where he was the state mile champion in his senior year and competed in the national meet in Chicago.
Enrolled at Washburn from 1928 to 1930. Left Washburn to teach school. Enrolled at Baker University in 1934 to finish his degree. Earned two letters in both football and track. Second team “All-State” Guard in football in 1934. First team in 1935. Track in spring of 1935—won the mile and placed second in the 880 at the conference meet. Also won the High Point Medal at that meet. In spring of 1936 took first in the mile, 880, and two mile amassing 15 points to pace Baker to the conference championship.
Elected second semester senior class president. Won two consecutive John Goetz Athletic Scholarship Trophies for having the highest grade-point average of any Baker letterman. Elected to Alpha Delta Sigma, National Honor Scholastic Fraternity.
Following graduation taught and coached at Buffalo, Lawrence and Oberlin. During World War II spent five years in the U. S. Army as a specialist in cryptology.
After World War II returned to coaching at Holton and later Manhattan. Was hired as freshman football coach at Kansas State University staying nine years. Coach Dan Devine of University of Missouri hired Ed as academic counselor and kicking coach in 1967. Retired from MU and coaching in 1977.
James S. Irick, 1948
Lettered three years in football and four in basketball at Paola High School. After enrolling at Baker, elected president of the freshman class. Later elected president of the junior and senior classes and secretary of the sophomore class.
Lettered in football and basketball each of four years. Chosen all-conference as an end. Sophomore and junior years: all-conference in basketball, lead KCAC in scoring two years.
World War II interrupted college. Was stationed in Iceland and became a member of the Army all-star basketball team that won the North Atlantic Championship.
After World War II returned to Baker. Quarterbacked football team where he was again chosen all-conference. Senior year, Jim was all-conference in basketball again and also played baseball and tennis. President of the “B” Club; Twice chosen as “Baker Popularity King.” Awarded the Goetz Athletic Scholarship Trophy for 4.0 GPA. Member of Delta Tau Delta. After graduation coached at Paola, Pittsburg State and Parsons. Returned in 1956 to Baker as head basketball coach, head tennis coach and assistant track coach. From 1963 to 1975 served as head football coach. In 1974 became head tennis coach where his team has won conference crowns in 1974, ’78, ’80, ’81, and ’82 as well as trips to National NAIA Tournament in 1980, ’82.
Became Athletic Director in 1975.
Since returning to Baldwin City has always been involved in community activities.
Thomas Jack Armstrong, Jr., 1956
Four-year letterman in football, basketball and track. In football, played defensive back, linebacker, wingback, fullback and center. Was honorable mention All-Conference at fullback in 1953, and second-team all-conference at center in 1954 and 1955, played virtually 60 minutes in every game.
In basketball, was regarded as an outstanding defensive player and was generally assigned to the opposing team’s best shooter.
In track, participated in the 100- and 200-yard dashes, mile relay, shot put, discus, and javelin. Consistent point scorer in all meets.
Played on the only baseball team Baker fielded while he was a student.
Member of Zeta Chi fraternity and the Baker B-Club, serving as vice president in 1954-55 and president in 1955-56.
Elected vice president of senior class in 1956.
Winner of the Goetz Athletic Scholarship Cup for three consecutive years—1954, 55 and 56, and was awarded membership in Alpha Delta Sigma.
While serving with the U.S. Navy started on both the football and basketball teams for the U.S. Naval Base, Bremerton, Washington, helping them win the 13th Naval District Championship in basketball.
Earned M.B.A. degree in management from Indiana in 1957. Member of the Sigma Iota Epsilon Management Fraternity. Served two successive terms on the Baker University Alumni Board of Directors in the late 1960s and early 70s.
