Phog Allen Elected into the MIAA Inaugural Hall of Fame Class
June 2, 2010
LAWRENCE, Kan. –
The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association announced June 2 that legendary Kansas basketball coach Dr. Forrest “Phog” Allen has been elected to the MIAA inaugural hall of fame class, along five historic national championship teams and 14 other coaching greats.
Allen is being recognized for his coaching work at University of Central Missouri from 1912-19. Allen not only coached the UCM basketball team to an 84-31 record, but also the UCM football team to a 29-17-2 record. During his seven seasons at UCM, Allen’s teams won seven championships.
The Jayhawk alum returned to KU in 1920, as head basketball coach, and went on to coach the Jayhawks for 39 years.
Some of Allen’s accomplishments include back-to-back national titles in 1922 and 1923, recording KU’s first ever national title win over Missouri 26-16 on February 21, 1922.
In 1952, Allen led the Jayhawks to their first coveted NCAA National Championship, defeating St. John’s 80-63.
Allen retired in 1956 as the winningest coach in Kansas basketball history with a record of 590-219. All totaled, Allen won 746 collegiate games which still ranks as the 14th best of all time.
Allen also served as KU Athletics Director, head football coach, was instrumental in starting the Kansas Relays and was the driving force behind the addition of basketball to the Olympic Games in 1936.
Other inductees into the MIAA Inaugural Hall of Fame class include Kathy Anderson, Dr. Mildred “Millie” Barnes, Vernon Kennedy and Earl Keth for their accomplishments at the University of Central Missouri.
The 2010 Hall of Fame Class will be officially recognized at the annual MIAA Spring Awards Dinner June 10 at the Downtown Marriott in Kansas City, Mo.
