Athletic Hall of Fame 1984 Inductees
John J. Goetz, 1928
Four-year letterman in football where he was a strong defensive player. Constantly shifting through interference to “snag runner after runner." He was exceptionally fast and sure returning punts as well as receiving passes. Was known for making spectacular catches. Was elected to the all-conference second team as a junior and the all-state eleven as a senior. Played on Baker’s undefeated team of 1927.
As a four-year letterman in basketball, was one of the most aggressive guards to ever play for Baker. Adept and rebounding, passing and dribbling the ball. Elected to the second team All-Conference as a freshman, sophomore, and junior and the first-team all-state team as a senior. Was captain for both the junior and senior years as Baker’s record was a combined 25-5.
Lettered two years in baseball, 1925 and 1926.
Was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity and Letterman’s Club.
Elected freshman class president.
In 1932, founded the Goetz Athletic Scholarship Cup. This award was given annually to the Baker athlete with the highest grade-point average. The award was a bronze cup, along with a monetary scholarship. Were highly sought after and were undoubtedly responsible for both emphasizing grades among athletes, and in helping them financially to remain in competition at Baker. Was a sports announcer on radio station KCKN, and held positions in advertising departments for the Kansan, as vice president of Phantom Products, Inc.
Passed away July 2, 1949, in Kansas City, Kansas.
Richard L. Purdy, 1956
Four-year football letterman while playing for Baker’s former Head Coach Karl Spear. While playing quarterback as a junior was known as the “passing flash” completing 67 percent of his passing attempts. Was also known as an outstanding “Coffin-Corner Punter." Was selected all-conference honorable mention as a junior.
Participated in varsity basketball, 1953, 1954 and 1956.
Participated in varsity track, 1955-56.
Member of the Wildcat Booster Club.
Began high school teaching and coaching career at Chetopa, Kansas, in 1956.
Moved to Chanute, Kansas, as head football and track coach in 1958, remaining until 1967 when he was hired as head football coach at Shawnee Mission West High School. Coaching record at SMW was 92-44-3. Including Sunflower League Championships in 1976, ’77, ’80, ’81. Making the state quarterfinals in 1977, ’79, ’80. Being the Class 6A runner-up in 1971, ’73, ’76. And state champion in 1972. After a two-year stint as football recruiting coordinator for the University of Kansas, returned to his real love of coaching at Lee’s Summit High School where in his first year led the team to the co-championship of the Suburban Six League and a berth in the Missouri State Playoffs.
Received Master of Science degree in mathematics from Kansas State College at Pittsburg.
