Kansas Sports Hall of Fame class includes former NFL MVP, KU coaching legend

TOPEKA, Kan. (KCTV) - A class of award-winning coaches, Olympians, national champions, All-Americans and world record-holders will head into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame this August.

On Monday, Kansas Sports Hall of Fame chairman Jim Dunning Jr. announced the class of 10 individuals that will be inducted on Saturday, Aug. 2 in Topeka.

The class is headlined by 1972 NFL MVP Larry Brown and Kansas football coaching legend Mark Mangino.

“This is an accomplished group and one the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame is extremely proud to recognize on behalf of the entire state,” Dunning said. “The individuals represent the best of the state of Kansas and come from diverse backgrounds. Their stories provide inspiration to all Kansans.”

Brown played running back at Dodge City Community College and Kansas State prior to starring in the NFL for Washington, where he played eight seasons and was a four-time Pro Bowler.

Mangino, who was selected in 2024 but was unable to attend the ceremony, will be inducted this year instead. Mangino’s first job in Kansas came as an assistant under K-State head coach Bill Snyder in 1991. He served as head coach at KU from 2002 to 2009 and led KU to a 50-48 record and four bowl games, including a win in the 2007 Orange Bowl over Virginia Tech.

The remainder of the class includes Tim Jankovich, J.C. Louderback, Bob Lutz, Kendric Maple, Bobby Randall, Laverne Smith, Deb (Pihl) Torneden and Clifford Wiley.

Jankovich was a Manhattan High School alum who was a two-time All-State selection. After beginning his collegiate career at Washington State, he transferred to K-State and led the Wildcats to the 1981 Elite Eight and 1982 Sweet Sixteen. He started coaching in 1983 and served as an assistant at several schools, including K-State and KU. In 2017, he was named American Athletic Coach of the Year while leading SMU and he has a career head coaching record of 332-199.

Louderback was a three-sport athlete at Cowley County Community College -- which was known at the time as Arkansas City Junior College. He led them to a national runner-up finish in basketball in 1953 and to two conference championships in tennis in 1953 and 1954. He also was a longtime college football and basketball official.

Announcing the @KSHOF class of 2025. It features an NFL MVP, MLB player, NCAA champs, Olympian, National COY, recordholders -- and a guy who could write pretty well. The induction will be Aug. 2 in Topeka with tickets available at https://t.co/l1NINKCLtP. https://t.co/3PKBYasPmS pic.twitter.com/K4I6oePl5W
— KS Sports HoF (@kshof) April 14, 2025

Lutz spent more than 40 years as a reporter and columnist for the Wichita Eagle. He also helped establish the League 42 urban youth baseball league in Wichita.

Maple starred at Wichita Heights High School and was an NCAA Championship wrestler and three-time All-American at the University of Oklahoma. He’s now an assistant coach at Mizzou.

Randall ranks second all-time in K-State history for batting average and played 11 years of professional baseball -- including five in MLB for the Minnesota Twins. He has served as the head baseball coach at Iowa State, Kansas and Manhattan Christian College.

Smith was a track champion in Kansas State Class 5A in 1971 and set KU school records as a football player for career rushing yards, career touchdowns and more. He played in seven NFL games for the Pittsburgh Steelers before injuries derailed his career.

Torneden was a four-time All-American at K-State in track and has anchored a world record 4x800 relay team for women over the age of 60.

Wiley was a member of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Team and was an NCAA Champion in the 4x400 Relay at KU in 1977. He was a 13-time NCAA All-American in track events.