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2006 Inductees
The McPherson College Athletic Hall of Fame class of 2006 was inducted on October 13, 2006. Members of the newest class of inductees are Betty Jo (Baker) Johns ’53, Steve Burkholder ’76, Art Ray, cross-country and track & field coach from 1966-1977, and Dwight McSpadden ’54 (posthumous).
(L-R) Steve Burkholder '76
Dwight McSpadden '54 (posthumous) Connie McSpadden, wife
Betty Jo (Baker) Johns '53
Art Ray coach '66-'77
2006 Ceremony Photos
Betty Jo (Baker) Johns was a student at McPherson College at the time opportunities in women’s intercollegiate athletics were very limited. But, undeterred, Betty Jo took advantage of any and all opportunities available, participating three years in the WAA (Women’s Athletic Association) basketball program. Following her graduation, John taught at Larned and Dighton High Schools and Cloud County Community College. In 1968, Johns began a 26-year teaching and coaching career at Garden City Community College, where she was instrumental in starting every women’s sport offered. At GCCC, she coached one or more sports until 1993 in addition to teaching physical education, health, and anatomy until her retirement in 1995. An athlete as well as coach, Johns pitched for five state championship slow-pitch softball teams and playing in five national tournaments. An avid jogger bicyclist, and tennis, softball and racquetball player, she has ridden every Bike Across Kansas since 1986. Johns is retired in Garden City, Kan.
Dwight McSpadden was a four-year letter winner in football and baseball at McPherson College. He was co-captain of the Bulldogs’ undefeated 1952 Kansas Conference championship football team. He led the KCAC in scoring two years when he first broke the McPherson College single season scoring record as a junior, ranking third nationally with 105 points. As a senior in 1953, McSpadden scored 109 points and led the nation’s four-year colleges in scoring. His 234 career points scored still ranks second on the all-time McPherson College list to his teammate Eddie Ball’s 260. McSpadden earned All-Conference second team defense and honorable mention offense honors as a junior, and second team All-Conference offense honors as a senior. After coaching Yuma, Colo., High School to the 1966 State Class AA runner-up spot, McSpadden returned to the College as head football and baseball coach for two years. Dwight will be inducted posthumously, having passed away in July of 1990.
Steve Burkholder was a four-year letter winner in football and tennis for the Bulldogs, and a four-time All-KCAC performer. Twice he was named to the All-KCAC football first team, unanimously as a senior, as well as twice in tennis, his junior and senior seasons. In football, he was also named to the All-District 10 team following the 1975 season during which he posted a single game high of 25 tackles, 15 unassisted. He concluded his Bulldog football career as the school’s career pass interception record holder with 12. In tennis, Burkholder shared the 1975 KCAC #1 doubles title with partner Mark Melhorn, before winning the conference title at #3 singles in 1976. In 1976, he was part of the Bulldogs’ second #1 doubles team at the KCAC championships. That spring, he was selected as the McPherson College “Male Athlete of the Year.” Following his graduation from McPherson College, he taught and coached in Colby, Arkansas City, and Lyons, where he moved into administration. He served as an elementary principal in Lyons and McPherson, then moved into district level administration at Abilene and Cheney. Burkholder currently serves as Assistant Superintendent for Student Learning of the Grand Island, Neb., Public Schools. He has served as a member and president of the McPherson College alumni board, and in 2001, he received the College’s Young Alumni Award. He is currently a member of the McPherson College Board of Trustees.
Art Ray set the standard for the Bulldog track & field and cross country during the time he directed the Bulldogs. Ray led his squads to five KCAC cross county titles (1969, 1971, 1972, 1975, 1976) and four runner-up finishes as well as two KCAC women’s track & field titles (1976, 1977) and seven men’s runner-up finishes between 1969 and 1977. His athletes established 21 school records including every relay, and were participants at the NAIA national championships on an annual basis. Twice the District 10 “Cross Country Coach of the Year”, Ray also received KCAC track as well as cross country “Coach of the Year” honors. In December of 1970, Ray was selected to serve as coach for a group of select American athletes participating in a pre-Olympic meet in Berlin, Germany. Ray is retired in Siletz, Ore.
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