Rick Atkinson
The name Rick Atkinson is synonymous with not only baseball, but also with Gas City, Indiana. From the time he was a young boy he has had a love of baseball that has developed into a lifetime of memories.Rick graduated from Mississinewa High School in 1965, after earning 11 varsity letters, nine of which won conference championships. He also played six years of American Legion Baseball for Jonesboro Post 95, which earned him a trip to the state finals. Also during this time he spent many years playing baseball with the Twin City Bankers.After graduation, Rick played three years of baseball wit...Read more
Martin Burdette
Marty Burdette was a valuable asset to Mississinewa Athletics from 1950-1954 in football, basketball, and track. In basketball he was one of the leading scorers on the team which won the Grant County Tournament, Sectional, Regional, and making it to the "Elite Eight". Marty was-named "All Tournament" in all four tournaments. He was on the Indiana All Star team being listed in the Top 100 Basketball Players in the state.In football Marty played end for the Indians gaining Mississinewa Valley Conference honors for leading the team in tackles. He played in the East-West Indiana All Star game at B...Read more
Wilma Cox
Grant County/Volleyball/Winning/Championships/Wilma Cox... none can be said without the other.Wilma Cox came to Eastbrook High School in 1976 to teach mathematics. As she was sitting in her classroom during her first few days of school, the superintendent came by to say they needed a volleyball coach and would she agree to coach the team. She agreed, even though she was unfamiliar with the sport. Wilma, who graduated from Eastbrook High School and Purdue University respectfully, had never attended a volleyball match.At her first volleyball match she was responsible for both junior varsity and ...Read more
Chuck "Poke" Gaither
Graduating from Fairmount High School in 1959, Chuck "Poke" Gaither is considered by many to be one of the best all-around athletes to participate in Grant County. Chuck received 14 varsity letters in basketball, baseball, football, and track - thus making him a quadruple threat in the world of sports. He was also ranked 7th academically in his class, was a member of the National Honor Society, chosen as Boy of the Month by the Marion Exchange Club, and was the first two- time winner of Fairmount's Prestigious Don Rhoades Award for Mental Attitude.In basketball, Chuck scored 1396 career points...Read more
Jackie Gallagher-Smith
Growing up on a golf course, it was only natural Jackie Gallagher Smith would take up the game. Yet, she not only played but excelled everywhere from her home Meshingomesia course in Grant County to the legendary links of Great Britain.Gallagher-Smith joins older brother Jim Gallagher Jr. in the Grant County Sports Hall of Fame, and the entire Gallagher family was part of the hail's inaugural 2009 class for meritorious service. Jackie earned her place through more than a quarter-century of accomplishments at the amateur, collegiate and professional levels.Jackie's earliest success came in l...Read more
Herb McPherson
Herb McPherson is regarded as one of the best basketball players in Grant County history and considered by many to be the greatest shooter the county has ever seen. He is the leading scorer in Mississinewa High School history and third all time in Grant County, scoring 1,736 career points. He coached varsity basketball at Mississinewa and North Posey High Schools and was assistant varsity coach at Marion High School.Herb was a starter on the varsity basketball team at Mississinewa for four years averaging 21.2 points per game his entire career. He was awarded 11 varsity letters in high school,...Read more
Jarrad Odle
Jarrad OdIe's basketball career started at age 5 at the old YMCA in Marion and continued through the Marion Boys' Club, Pal Club, AAU, Oak Hill High School, ending as an Indiana University player on the biggest stage in college basketball, the Championship game of the NCAA Tournament in Atlanta, Georgia.Jarrad excelled in basketball and baseball, with baseball being his favorite, but basketball showed more promise for future endeavors. His career in basketball soared while playing three varsity seasons at Oak Hill and with numerous AAU teams. He led the state in scoring his junior year averagi...Read more
Joe Sutter
Joe Sutter played three varsity seasons for Marion High School (11967-1969), as Jack Colescott led the Giants through highly successful campaigns with a total record of 70-13. All three teams made deep runs in the IHSAA tournament, losing in the semi-state final game in 1966-67, losing the afternoon game of the state tournament to Shortridge HS in 1967-68, and returning to the state tournament in 1968-69, undefeated and ranked #2 in the state, only to lose the afternoon game by one point to #1 ranked Indianapolis Washington 61-60.Joe was considered a versatile player on both offense and defens...Read more
Ted Wright
Ted Wright started playing basketball in 1940 at the YMCA in Marion. Most players at that time used two hands to shoot free throws and set shots. Ted, ahead of his time as a youngster, developed a one-handed free throw and set shot.While attending Jefferson Township High School in Upland, Ted earned 11 varsity letters in basketball, baseball and track. Ted was the leading scorer for the Jefferson Yeomen all four years in the Grant County Tournament. The track program began during Ted's sophomore year. He held the high school broad jump record for 12 years.Ted entered Taylor University in the f...Read more
Team Category
1975 Marion Giants Basketball Team
The 1974-75 Marion Giant Basketball team was the first Giant squad to win the state since the legendary Stretch Murphy led the Giants to the state title in 1926. The Champion Giants, under Hall of Fame Coach, Bill Green, had their entire starting five back from the previous season in Rob Acord, Bill Lester, Kevin Pearson, Doug Harris, and David Colescott. Seniors Cregg Baumbaugh, Mike Flynn, and David Peak, along with underclassmen, Jess Alumbaugh, Tuffy Jackson, Ray Myers, Joe Neal, and Rob Oatess contributed to the success of this amazing team. The deep experience in this group of players ca...Read more
1976 Marion Giants Basketball Team
When the 1975-76 Marion Giants started practicing in early October, even the most loyal Marion fans were unsure about the upcoming season. Four, of the starting five, from the previous year had graduated leaving Dave Colescott as the lone returning starter from the 1975 Championship squad. Joe Neal and Tuffy Jackson, who saw the most varsity action, along with six other letter winners, including Jess Alumbaugh, Canton Hayes, Jeff Bragg, Matt Dubuque, Ray Myers, and James Freshwater were ready for action. What unfolded with this group of players was amazing, as Bill Green began his sixth season...Read more