Athletic Hall of Fame 2002 Inductees

George LaFrance, 1987

Attended New Iberia Senior High School in New Iberia, La., where he played football and baseball. Was selected to the all-conference football team as a junior. Played on the school’s 4A state championship baseball teams in 1982 and 1983 and was selected to the 1983 all-conference and all-state baseball teams.

Attended Eastern Arizona Junior College for three semesters in 1983-1984 and participated in football and baseball.

Transferred to Baker in the spring of 1984 in time to play on Dan Harris’ Wildcat baseball team. Known for his quickness, speed and defense, LaFrance was selected to the all-conference baseball squad three years at Baker.

In the fall of 1984 became an immediate starter at wide receiver for head football coach Charlie Richard. Played two years and was selected to the all-conference team in 1985 and 1986. Helped the Wildcats reach their first ever NAIA Division II national championship football game in 1986. In that game against Linfield of Oregon, set a school, conference and national record for recording seven pass receptions for 93 yards in a single half.

Following his outstanding athletic achievements in college, signed a professional contract to play for the Detroit Drive of the fledgling Arena Football League. Spent the 1988-1993 seasons with Detroit, helping it win ArenaBowl titles in 1988-1990 and again in 1992. Missed the 1990 season with a torn ACL.

Was traded in 1994 to the Tampa Bay Storm, where he played from 1994 to 1999. In 1998, caught 65 passes, including 35 for touchdowns (53.8 percent) – a record unrivaled at any level of collegiate or professional football.

In 2000, moved on to play with the New Jersey Red Dogs. Became the first Arena Football League player and second pro football (Walter Payton was the first) to compile 20,000 career all-purpose yards. In his final game as a player, he recorded 14 kickoff returns and 397 all-purpose yards that rank second in that statistic in AFL history

During the 12 years of his active playing career, helped his teams win five ArenaBowl Championships while playing in three more.

Was selected the MVP of three ArenaBowl games, was twice named League MVP and holds numerous league statistical records. Is generally regarded as the greatest player in Arena Football League history.

In 2001, served as offensive consultant for the Rochester Brigade and in 2002 was hired as the general manager of the San Diego Riptide.

For several of the past years, when not involved in the Arena Football season, teaches high school math and coaches sports on a Native American Reservation in the Chinle (Arizona) Unified School District.

Is married to Darlene and has two daughters, Ahaski and Nizhoni.

Charles Mansfield, 1961

Attended high school at Clinton (Mo.) High School. Lettered one year in track and three years in football and basketball. Received honorable mention for the all-state basketball squad as a senior.

Enrolled at Baker in the fall of 1957. Was a four-year letterman in football and was named to an all-conference team three times. Earned two additional letters in basketball. Member of the Zeta Chi fraternity and held offices of president, vice president and pledge trainer. Served as an officer of the University’s B Club. Graduated in 1961.

Taught and coached football, basketball and track in 1961-1963 at Oswego High School. The football team won the league title in 1962 and he led the basketball team to the state tournament in 1962. Both the ’62 and ’63 track teams won league.

Returned to school at Kansas University in 1963 and earned a master’s degree in education in 1964. He also served as assistant football coach at Baker.

Taught and coached at Claflin High School in 1964-65, where he served as head basketball coach, assistant football coach and track coach.

Accepted an offer to serve as principal, teacher and coach at Baldwin High School for 1965. Served as assistant football and track coach and head coach in basketball.

In 1966, returned to Baker, serving as assistant football coach for nine years, head track coach for one year, head baseball coach for two years and head basketball coach until 1975.

From 1975 to 1979 served as principal at Cheney High School. From 1979 to 1980 served as principal at Garnett High School, moving on to serve as assistant superintendent at Clay Center USD 379 until 2000.

After formally retiring, accepted a one-year appointment as the elementary principal at Valley Heights due to an illness to the principal.

Currently works part time for the Southeast Regional Education Service Center at Greenbush as a community liaison and establishing drop-out recovery programs. Also works with McPherson & Jacobson, an executive recruiting and development company doing searches for school district superintendents.

Served on several boards, committees and an educational task force on school finance. Additionally was asked to make numerous presentations to educational conferences throughout the region.

Married to Sylvia and has three children, Adam, Megan and Mark.

Doris Lucile Peterson, Coach

Born in Benson, Ill. Began collegiate education at Southwestern College in Kansas. Transferred to and received B.S. degree in physical education in 1928 from Northwestern University. Did postgraduate work in physical education at the University of Colorado and later at the Teachers College of Columbia University, where she received an M.A. degree in 1938 in health and physical education.

Began her teaching career in 1928 in health and physical education at the Senior High School of Muskogee, Okla. One year later accepted the position of supervisor of health and physical education for the Public School District of Wellington, Kan.

Served in two additional positions in health and physical education in Kansas and Texas from 1935 to 1943 before accepting the position of head of the department of Health and Physical Education at Meredith College in Raleigh, N.C.

In 1954, was hired by former Baker Dean Benjamin A. Gessner as assistant professor of physical education. Remained a member of the faculty and directed programs in health and woman’s athletics for the next 20 years. Was recognized for having greatly improved the University’s athletic offerings in swimming, rhythmics, body mechanics, recreational activities and dance. Designed, organized and sponsored all activities of the Woman’s Athletic Association (W.A.A) at a time prior to intercollegiate competition for women's athletics at Baker.

Spent many summers involved in church related activities and educational circles, conducting workshops in and experimenting with interpretation through movement with special emphasis on the use of religious music and the scriptures. In 1970, authored a book, “Worship With Words and Movement.”

Additionally served the Wesleyan Service Guild in positions of leadership in North Carolina and Kansas. Served as chairman of the sub-committee on folk songs and dances for the National Commission on Inter-American Understanding and as president of the North Carolina Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation.

Retired from teaching at Baker in the spring of 1973. Designated as Professor Emeritus of Physical Education. The former dance studio in Memorial Hall (Mabee Hall) was dedicated in her honor in 1973.

Cecil "Cec" O. Pryor, 1929

Graduated from Fredonia High School in 1925. Member of the National Honor Society and voted “Most Popular” by senior classmates. A four-year letterman in track and football. He was selected captain of the football team and chosen to the all-conference team in basketball as a senior. Set a school record in the 100-yard dash (10.1 seconds) that stood for 45 years. Held the state record in the 220-low hurdles and placed first in that event at the Kansas Relays in 1925.

Enrolled at Baker in the fall of 1925. Earned three letters in football and track. Played halfback on the football team and was the team’s leading ground gainer as a senior. In track ran both the low and high hurdles. Was elected president of the “B Club” and was a member of the Zeta Chi fraternity. Graduated with a degree in biology in 1929. Earned a master’s degree in physical education from the State University of Iowa in 1939.

Began his coaching career at Corning (Kansas) High School, coaching football, basketball and track from 1929 to 1932. During these years led the football team to a combined record of 23-3-1 and the basketball team to a record of 34-18, including a visit to the school’s first ever state basketball tournament. His track team of 1931 won the Baker Relays.

In 1932 accepted a teaching and coaching position at Fredonia (Kansas) High School. Coached there until his death in 1967. Began as an assistant coach in both football and basketall and later head coach of both sports. Was the head track coach during his entire career at Fredonia.

During the years his teams won numerous district and regional titles and his individual student/athletes won dozens of individual honors and awards and set long-standing state records in track and field events.

In 1939 established the Fredonia Relays. In 1949, his team won the Kansas State Track title and in 1962, was chosen Master Teacher by the Fredonia Teachers Association.

Both the athletic field in Fredonia and a traveling trophy at the Fredonia Relays for the two-mile run event have been named in his honor and memory.

One of the original honorees inducted into the Kansas State High School Activities Association Hall of Fame on March 22, 1975.

Was married to Agnes Lamoreaux and together they had two sons, Richard Dean Pryor and Billy Max Pryor.