MSSU’S 1972 football team inducted into Missouri Sports Hall of Fame

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. —  Missouri Southern’s 1972 NAIA national championship football team was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame on Tuesday.
“This honor is well-deserved and representative of the fine student-athletes and coaches that I had the privilege of working with,” said former MSSU head coach and athletic director Jim Frazier. “I am very proud of this special group of young men.”
The 1972 Lions won the NAIA Division II Championship by defeating Northwestern College of Iowa, 21-14, in Joplin. Under the direction of Frazier, the team finished the season with a perfect 12-0 record.
Led by quarterback Ray Harding, tackles Terron Jackson and Charles Hendricks, linebacker Barry Korner and defensive back Jack Duda, the Lions blitzed through the regular season en route to the national championship.
The team started the season 4-0 with wins on the road at Fort Hays State and the College of Emporia, as well as home wins against Southeast Missouri and Missouri S&T. The team then went on the road and took out NCAA Division I Nevada-Las Vegas, 7-0. Duda ended that game for the Lions with an interception in the end zone to seal the shutout.
Southern finished the regular season with a perfect record of 10-0, including wins over Pittsburg State, Washburn, Emporia State, Missouri Western and Culver-Stockton.
The Lions faced Doan College in the opening round of the playoffs at historic Junge Field. A downpour made the natural grass field a mud pit, but the Southern defense held steady and limited Doane to just six yards rushing and 37 yards in the air in the 24-6 win.
The national championship game would also be held in Joplin at Junge Field. The Raiders of Northwestern College in Iowa came to town. Southern trailed by a point with three minutes to go in the game when the defense forced Northwestern to punt. The punt went into the end zone and the Lions’ Sam Kealoha pounced on it for the touchdown. A two-point conversion from Terry Starks and a late interception from Duda sealed the 21-14 win.
The game served as a first for both Southern and the state of Missouri, as the Lions became the first collegiate football team in the state to win a national championship.
Members of the team included Jerry Adkinson, Neal Alkire, Kerry Anders, Ron Barnes, Joe Balentine, John Busalacki, George Bruto, Larry Cameron, John Carter, Mike Cole, Bob Danner, Jack Duda, Doug Efird, David L. Evans, David S. Evans, Randy Fidler, Marty Galbraith, Fred Gnerlich, Randy Hacker, Roger Hall, Steve Hamilton, Ray Harding, Todd Heflin, Charles Hendricks, Larry Hill, Tyrone Hill, Randy Hocker, John Howard, Ken Howard, Terron Jackson, Jack Jewsbury, Sam Keohala, Barry Korner, John LaBlank, Mike Mitchell, Max Mourglia, Steve Muehling, Jim Nieman, Dennis Pendergrass, Bill Ruble, Ed Ryan, Paul Sallie, Terry Starks, Kent Stracke, Jack Varns, Steward Ward, John Watson, Melvin Wilson, and Jeff Wolverton. In addition to Frazier coaches were Tony Calwhite, Charlie Wade, Jim Hoots and Ed Wuch. Managers were Ron McReynolds, Doug Guier, Henry Moyer, and Doug Dodd.
The 1972 football team joins eight individuals and one other team with ties to Missouri Southern to be inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. Also in the HOF are Sallie Beard, Robert Corn, Pat Lipira, Tom Rutledge, Anita Rank Oplotnik, Rod Smith, Warren Turner, Patty Vavra and the Missouri Southern women’s track and field and cross country programs.
Joining the 1972 football team in the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame on Tuesday were former Central Missouri quarterback Eric Czerniewski, former St. Louis football Cardinal Terry Metcalf, Branson radio’s Scott McCaulley and Midway coach Larry Burchett and the Midway football program.
Webb City graduate Mark Smith was recognized as an Elite 11 honoree. The Elite 11 honors former high school, college and professional players who made positive contributions to the sport or those who have contributed in meaningful way to the game.