Athletic Hall of Fame 1994 Inductees
Larry J. Noll, 1954
Born in Peabody, Kan. Played high school football basketball and baseball in Falls City, Neb. Began at Baker in 1948 after serving 18 months in the Navy. Recalled into military while at Baker and served on Naval destroyer during Korean Conflict. Granted additional year of eligibility following return from service and became only athlete in Baker history to earn five football letters. Also earned two baseball letters and a golf letter. Played both ways on football team — guard on offense and linebacker on defense. Earned first-team, second-team, and honorable mention all-conference honors in football. Led Wildcat defense in ’50 and was selected to all-state defense team. Selected twice by the Orange as Defensive Player of the Week in ’53. Received “special recognition” trophy following ’53 football season. Member of Sigma Phi Epsilon. Served as president. Earned Bachelor of Arts degree in 1954. Worked 22 years as corrective therapist with Veterans Administration in Kansas City. Served as administrative head of outpatient services for last six years with the VA. Remained active with the Raytown YMCA. Retired in 1982 to Lake of the Ozarks. Remains active as baseball umpire.
Max M. Martin, 1936
A native of Hoxie, Kan. Lettered in basketball, football and ran track at Hoxie High School. Led single-wing attack as center on the football squad at 135 pounds. Selected as first-team all-Northwest Kansas guard in basketball by the Goodland newspaper. High jumper in track. Began at Baker in 1932. Lettered in football and track. Also participated in golf, attaining all-conference status senior year. An honor roll student at Baker. Achieved membership in Alpha Delta Sigma, the University’s honorary scholastic fraternity. Served one term as Kappa Sigma president. Coached several sports at various Kansas high schools following graduation and earned a master’s degree in education from Pittsburg State. Served as a naval officer in World War II and earned the distinction of athletic officer on two ships in the Pacific Theater. Awarded the Purple Heart and earned an honorable discharge in 1945. Returned to Kansas and eventually to Pawnee, Neb. Became owner and publisher of the Pawnee Republican newspaper. Active in numerous and varied community projects in Pawnee until retiring to Sun City, Ariz. Died in 1992, following a battle with cancer. Lifelong childhood friend Bob Moss said: “the thing I remember most about Max is that whatever he did, he was exceptionally good, usually coming in first … he was a champion.”
Gwenn Haas Pike, 1980
Played volleyball, basketball, and ran track at Shawnee Heights High School in Tecumseh, Kan. Earned 11 varsity letters at Baker — four in volleyball, four in basketball and three in softball. Two-year volleyball team captain. Most valuable player ’76. First-team all-conference ’79. Second-team all-conference ’78. Led team to conference title in ’78 and state title in ’79. Two-year basketball team captain and most valuable player in ’77 and ’78. Outstanding female athlete in ’78-’79. Homecoming queen candidate, member Phi Mu, Kappa Sigma Little Sister, Dean’s Honor Roll. Graduated in ’80 with a Bachelor of Science degree. Physical education/ health instructor and head volleyball coach at Bishop Miege High School since 1980. Also coached JV basketball from ’80 to ’84. Volleyball record: 442-73. Ten 5A State Championships, 13 Regional Championships, 13 Eastern Kansas League Championships. Has received over a dozen national, state and local coaching awards. Most recently: the National Federation Interscholastic Coaches Association (NFICA) State Distinguished Service Award for Volleyball in ’94, Sports Connection Coach of the Year in ’94, and All-Star Coach by the Kansas Volleyball Association in ’94.
