Four Former Jayhawks To Be Inducted Into Kansas Sports Hall of Fame

June 22, 2009

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Former University of Kansas greats Ted Owens, Paul Endacott, Gwinn Henry and Harold Patterson will be inducted into the State of Kansas Sports Hall of Fame Oct. 4 in Wichita.

Owens found success with the third-most wins in KU men’s basketball history, behind only Phog Allen (590) and Roy Williams (418). In 19 seasons, from 1965-83, he compiled a record of 348-182. Owens led the Jayhawks to six Big Eight Championships and seven trips to the NCAA Tournament, including Final Four appearances in 1971 and 1974. In 1968, he led KU to a runner-up finish in the postseason NIT.

Endacott led KU basketball team to two national championships, 1922 and 1923, and was named Helms Foundation National Player of the Year in 1923. A native of Lawrence, Endacott was also enshrined into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass., in 1972.

Henry served as KU’s athletics director from 1937-43, doubling as head football coach from 1939-42. Prior to his time at KU, Henry, a standout track sprinter from Texas, was football coach at Emporia.

Patterson, from Rozel, Kan., became a three-sport athlete at KU. He was a two-time basketball letterwinner (1953 and 1954) under Allen and helped his team to two Big Seven Championships. He was also a letterwinner as an end in football in 1952 and 1953 and baseball in 1953 as a shortstop.

Others being inducted into the Hall include Eddie Sutton, Jesse Barnes, Don Calhoun, Orlis Cox, Steve Henson, Ken Mahoney, John Mason, Ken Roberts, Janell Smith and Ken Swenson.