Athletic Hall of Fame 1998 Inductees

Debby Cowin, 1981

Played volleyball and softball for four years at Baker and every team had a winning record. Overall volleyball record 92-39. Overall softball record was 75-15. Volleyball team won conference championship and AIAW Division III state championship. Was a three-time first-team all-conference selection in volleyball and won most valuable player and spirit award.

Softball team won two AIAW Division III State championships. Won Region 6 title and finished ninth at College World Series during senior year. All-conference catcher, most valuable player, and spirit award winner. Led team in hitting her senior seasons with .578 average and was named to the all-region team. Graduated in 1981.

As a junior, received the University’s Outstanding Female Athlete Award.

Served as paralegal at two law firms in Kansas before joining legal department at Hallmark Cards. Has served as support analyst in IT department at Hallmark Cards since 1996.

Boyce D. Smith, 1951

Lettered in football and track at Southeast High School in Kansas City. Named All-Interscholastic League quarterback in 1945 and won league pole vault title in 1946.

After high school, served two years of duty with the United States Marine Corps. Including the U.M.F. 513 Carrier-based squadron (USS Saidor). Later commissioned as a lieutenant in the USMCR.

Member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity at Baker. Won four league pole vault titles. Started at quarterback and safety. Selected all-league sophomore, junior, and senior seasons. Graduated in 1951 with a degree in physical education. Later earned degree in secondary administration from University of Missouri, Kansas City and Ed.S. degree from University of Missouri, Columbia.

Career in education included coaching and teaching, vice principal, associate principal, and principal. Retired in 1986 from Hazelwood (Mo.) School District.

Kenneth L. "Skinny" Young, 1933

Entered baker in 1929. Lettered in basketball and track. Conference champion in high jump in senior year. Member of Kappa Sigma fraternity. Graduated with a degree in physical education in 1933.

Educator and coach in Fontana, Kan., from 1935 to 1937. Led boys basketball team to Class B state tournament. Of the 26 boys in school, all but two played basketball. Coached basketball, football and taught in Harper, Kan., from 1937 to 1941 with Emil Liston and Harry Davison.

Enlisted in the Army in 1942. Later became lieutenant in the Signal Corp Photographic Company and was discharged in 1946. Covered first battle in Germany at Achten, the Russian-American linkup at Torgau, and the liberation of Buchenwald prison camp. Photographs appeared in Time magazine.

Received master’s degree in education from University of Colorado. Worked as rehabilitation director for American Legion. Kansas department was voted best in the nation. Later served as state adjutant of the Department of Kansas American Legion. Organization twice won National Service Trophy. Served on many state and national committees for American Legion. Has remained active in veterans affairs since retirement in 1976.

Recently celebrated 50th wedding anniversary with Eva Jean. They have three children: Clinton, Stacy and Marlena.