Sports
Denise McCluggage
Glenn Chunningham
Bobby Douglass
Ralph Winegarner
Denise McCluggage
Racecar driver, sports writer, and journalist, Denise McCluggage was born in El Dorado, KS Jan. 20, 1927. She attended Mills College in Oakland, CA, receiving a BA in philosophy, economics, and politics.
An award-winning journalist and sports writer, she broke down stereotypes for women in both sports writing and sports car racing. Presently a columnist for newspapers, magazines, and on the internet, she has also had two books published, one containing excerpts from her syndicated column and one on skiing.
She has won racing trophies on three continents, including the 1st GT at Sebring; the Copa de Damas (the Grand Prix of Venezuela); and 1st in class at Monte Carlo.
Winner of the Ken W. Purdy Award for Excellence in Automotive Journalism and Lifetime Achievement Awards from the International Media Association and Road & Travel magazine. The first journalist to be inducted to the Automotive Hall of Fame, she was also inducted into the Sports Car Club of America’s Hall of Fame.
Glenn Cunningham
One of the premiere milers of the 1930s, Glenn Cunningham was born on August 4, 1909 in Atlanta, Kansas. His family later settled in Elkhart, Kansas.
Overcoming severe childhood burns to his legs, he set several world records in the mile run and 800 meters. He ran the 1500-meter in the 1932 and 1936 Olympics, placing fourth and second. During his career, he won six Big-Six mile titles, two NCAA titles and ten AAU national titles.
Cunningham attended the University of Kansas, and then pursued his master’s and doctorate degrees in physical education at the University of Iowa and New York University.
While serving in the Navy during World War II, he established physical training programs for the service. He also spent time encouraging burn victims.
Several years after retiring from running, Glenn moved to Butler County near Augusta, where he ran the Cunningham Youth Ranch, affecting the lives of thousands of underprivileged children. He died March 10, 1988.
Receiving the James E. Sullivan Award as the top amateur athlete in the U.S. in 1933, he also was a charter inductee to the National Track and Field Hall of Fame.
Bobby Douglass
Bobby Douglass, 1968 All-American and former National Football League quarterback, was born June 22, 1947. He grew up in El Dorado, Kansas.
Attending the University of Kansas, he helped lead the team to the Orange Bowl. Voted All-American, he was drafted by the National Football League.
Douglass played most of his professional career with the Chicago Bears. He is probably best known for having the most rushing yards in one season for a quarterback, a record unbroken until 2006, and running for 968 yards with 8 touchdowns on 141 carries in the 14-game 1972 season.
Also playing for the San Diego Chargers, the New Orleans Saints and the Green Bay Packers, Douglass retired from the NFL after 13 seasons. Returning to his other sport, baseball, he signed a professional contract with the Chicago White Sox in 1979. He also played with the Iowa Oaks in the AAA as a pitcher.
Douglass was elected twice (1967, 1968) to All Big Eight Conference honors. In 1968, he was named to United Press International and Kodak All-American teams.
Ralph Winegarner
Ralph Winegarner, professional baseball athlete and coach, was born October 29, 1909 in Benton, KS. Attending Benton schools, he graduated high school in 1927.
Shortly after dropping out of Southwestern College, while he was working for Travel Air (later Beech Aircraft, today known as Raytheon), he found himself being offered a professional baseball contract.
Ralph played in the major league with the Cleveland Indians, Milwaukee Braves and St. Louis Browns, as well as several minor league teams. Playing all positions except catcher, in 1935, Winegarner led the American League in pinch hitting.
During World War II, he left baseball temporarily to do defense work for Beech Aircraft Corp. Winegarner later had the opportunity to coach in the major leagues and manage in the minor leagues. In 1952, he managed the Wichita Indians. He died in 1988.
Ralph Winegarner was named to Kansas’ Baseball Hall of Fame in 1965. In 1999, he was inducted into the National Baseball Congress’ Hall of Fame.