Pittsburg State University will induct seven individuals into its Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame during ceremonies on Saturday, Sept. 18.
PSU’s Class of 2010 is headlined by former football All-American Ronald Moore (1989-92), who captured the 1992 Harlon Hill Trophy as the national player of the year during his senior season, before embarking upon an eight-year NFL career.
Two-time All-Americans Oscar Gonzalez (1996-99) and Ben Peterson (1995-98) also join the Hall of Fame, representing the sports of baseball and football. Former football athlete J.W. Emerson (1951-52), who went on to enjoy a decorated four-decade coaching career, joins the Hall of Fame as a meritorious achievement inductee, along with former Pitt State associate athletic director Tommy Riggs, who will be posthumously lauded.
Additionally, Walter “Vic” White (1926-29), a national class shot putter in track & field and Francis Wachter (1929-32), a key member of Pitt State’s undefeated basketball teams from 1930-31, will be inducted in the Hall of Fame’s “Legacy” category. The Legacy category, created in 2005, focuses solely on individuals from the school’s first 50 years (1903-53) in an attempt to bolster the school’s rich heritage from its first half-century.
“We are very excited about our newest class of inductees into the PSU Athletics Hall of Fame,” athletic director Chuck Broyles said. “Every year we feel like we have a class of inductees that measures up very well with past induction classes, and this year is no exception. Like always, this year’s group has features individuals who are near and dear to many of our hearts.
“These seven individuals are an impressive cast, representing a wide range of years in the history of Pittsburg State University. Each of these individuals is most deserving of joining the group of all-time elite Hall of Fame members at Pittsburg State.”
J.W. Emerson • Meritorious Achievement
Emerson enjoyed a decorated coaching career, primarily in the prep ranks, after competing in football at Pitt State for two seasons in 1951-52.
Emerson fashioned a 221-111 record as a high school head coach, making his mark as one of the midwest’s great rebuilders.
Among his coaching stops, Emerson served as head coach at Tulsa’s Union High School from 1977-89, leading the team to five district titles and eight playoff appearances after taking over a program that managed just an 18-82 record in the 100 games prior to his arrival. He also served as head coach at Manhattan High School from 1969-75 leading the school to a state championship and four league titles in six seasons. The team was winless in the three seasons prior to his arrival.
Emerson also enjoyed successful stints as head coach at Ottawa High School (1962-68), Columbus High School (1959-61), Lamar (Mo.) High School (1956-58) and Ava (Mo.) High School (1954-55). He also spent two seasons as quarterbacks/wide receivers coach at Kansas State University (1976-77).
Oscar Gonzalez • Basketball • 1996-99
Gonzalez twice earned NCAA Division II All-America honors while helping the Pitt State basketball program reach new heights during the late 1990s.
Gonzalez, a native of Madrid, Spain, started all 119 career games at point guard from the Gorillas, scoring 1,492 career points and setting the school record with 592 career assists.
Gonzalez was voted the MIAA Most Valuable Player as a senior in 1999 while leading Pitt State to the school’s first conference championship in a quarter century. He also helped guide the Gorillas to the No. 1 ranking in NCAA-II that year and the program’s third straight berth in the NCAA-II National Tournament.
Gonzalez, who still competes professionally in his native Spain, earned second-team All-America honors from the NABC and DII Bulletin during his senior season, after earning third-team All-America honors as a junior in 1998. He garnered All-MIAA honors in each of his four seasons – first-team recognition in 1998-99, second-team accolades in 1997 and honorable mention recognition as a freshman in 1996.
Ronald Moore • Football • 1989 -1992
Moore captured the 1992 Harlon Hill Award as the NCAA Division II national player of the year during his senior season.
The Spencer, Okla., native led Pitt State to 25 consecutive victories, including the 1991 NCAA-II National Championship and the 1992 NCAA-II National Runner-up finish.
Moore finished his collegiate career as the school’s all-time rushing leader with 4,299 yards and 52 touchdowns. He rushed for a school record 2,585 yards and 39 touchdowns as a senior in 1992, earning consensus first-team All-America honors en route to the national player of the year recognition.
Moore was a three-time All-MIAA performer, earning first-team honors in 1990 and 1992 and second-team accolades in 1991. He was the MIAA’s 1992 Offensive Player of the Year selection.
Following his collegiate career, Moore was drafted in the fourth round of the 1993 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals. Additionally, Moore was inducted into the Division II Football Hall of Fame in 2005 and he was tabbed to Pitt State’s 100th Anniversary Football Team in 2003.
Ben Peterson • Football • 1995-98
Peterson twice earned NCAA Division II All-America honors as a defensive end for the Gorillas during a decorated four-year career.
The Clay Center, Kan., native was a first-team All-America selection as a senior in 1998 after earning honorable mention All-America honors as a junior in 1997.
Peterson, who was named to PSU’s 100th Anniversary Football Team in 2003, recorded 241 career tackles including 29.0 career quarterback sacks. He was a three-time All-MIAA selection, garnering first-team honors in each of his final two seasons.
Tommy Riggs • Meritorious Achievement
Riggs served as an invaluable member of the support staff for PSU Athletics for 10 years, following his graduation from his alma mater.
Riggs oversaw PSU’s comprehensive licensing program, handled advertising and corporate sponsorship programs, coordinated special events associated with PSU Athletics and assisted with administration of the PSU Athletics Scholarship & Fund Drive, while rising to the rank of Associate Athletic Director in the department.
The Chetopa, Kan., native played a key role in the Carnie Smith Stadium Renovation/Expansion Project and he was instrumental in PSU’s recruitment of the Kansas Shrine Bowl to Pittsburg, as well as bringing numerous high school state playoff games to the community.
Additionally, Riggs was a four-year member of the NCAA-II National Golf Committee, serving as the national chair in 2006-07; and he was an executive committee member of the National Association of Athletic Development Directors.
Riggs died unexpectedly at age 32 on July 21, 2007.
Francis Wachter • Basketball Legacy • 1929-32
Wachter garnered All-Central Intercollegiate Conference (CIC) honors in each of his final three seasons in basketball playing for legendary Pitt State coach John Lance.
Wachter was a key member of the Gorillas’ undefeated squads in 1930 and 1931, which posted 40 consecutive victories.
The Frontenac, Kan., native scored 332 points in 85 career games. He was a first-team All-CIC performer in 1930 and 1932, while earning second-team All-CIC honors in 1931.
Wachter was a teammate to Pitt State Hall of Fame members Ernie Schmidt (1930-33) and Clarence Ratzlaff (1929-32).
Walter “Vic” White • Track & Field Legacy • 1926-29
White won three consecutive Kansas Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (KIAC) titles in the shot put from 1927-29.
The Oswego, Kan., native placed fourth at the 1928 AAU National Championships in the shot put with a throw of 48-feet, 1.5 inches.
White was a four-time All-KIAC performer in the shot put. He placed third in the conference in the discipline as a freshman in 1926, before capturing his three straight league crowns in the event.
2010 Hall of Fame Ceremonies
Pittsburg State’s 23rd class of inductees will be honored at a special Hall of Fame Induction Banquet at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 18, in the Crimson & Gold Ballroom of the Overman Student Center on the PSU campus.
The group also will be honored at halftime of PSU’s football game against MIAA rival Central Missouri later that evening.
