Former Kansas University football player Terry Beeson and softball player and coach Tracy Bunge were inducted into the state of Kansas Sports Hall of Fame on Sunday in Wichita.
Coffeyville native Beeson was a four-year letterman at linebacker for the Jayhawks and led the team in tackles in both 1975 and 1976. He was an All-Big Eight first-team selection in 1976 and played for the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers.
“My years at KU were so meaningful,” Beeson said. “The wins, the losses, they all built character. I am so grateful to (former KU coach) Don Fambrough; gave me an opportunity to play Big Eight football.”
Bartlesville, Oklahoma, native Bunge led KU in home runs each season during her time in Lawrence (1983-86), as well as leading the Jayhawks in pitching wins and strikeouts in 1983, 1984 and 1985. Bunge was named a three-time All-Big Eight player in 1983, 1985 and 1986, and was a first-team All-American in 1986. Bunge was the head coach of the Jayhawks from 1997 until 2009, posting a career coaching record of 409-345-2, with four appearances in the NCAA Tournament and the 2006 Big 12 Conference Tournament title.
Bunge thanked the pioneers of the early Title IX era.
“Females in high school and college back then coached and played in an era of low budgets, shared uniforms and bad practice times,” Bunge said. “Because of their perseverance, by the time I arrived at KU things were much improved. As a result I had the opportunity to play with special teammates for some special coaches.”
Others inducted: Ken Berry (two-time basetball Gold Glove winner), Paul Coffman (Kansas State football), Mathew “Chic” Downing (Benedictine College basketball), Kenny Harrison (Kansas State track and field), Lonnie Kruse (Sterling College women’s basketball coach), Shalee Lehning (Kansas State basketball), Brian Moorman (Pittsburg State football), Troy Morrell (Butler Community College football) and Dick Sanders (Wichita State, football and basketball official).