Former Jayhawk appointed to board

By Doug Pacey, [email protected], Kansan Staff Writer

Bill Hougland, a member of Kansas' 1952 NCAA championship basketball team, was appointed to the Kansas All-Sports Hall of Fame Board of Trustees Monday by Gov. Bill Graves.

“This is very much an honor for me,” said Hougland, Lawrence resident. “I'm glad to be able to serve at a facility that is very important for the whole state of Kansas.”

Hougland said that he was not too surprised by the appointment because he was approached some time ago by several members of the present board and was asked if he would be interested in serving on the board.

Members of the board oversee the induction process and the operation of the Kansas All-Sports Hall of Fame in Abilene, said Ted Hayes, executive director of the hall.

The hall, which opened in July 1997, has attracted an average of 10,000 people a year, Hayes said.

Hayes said the hall had a collection of sports memorabilia related to Kansas sports and sports-related activities.

Besides playing on Kansas' NCAA championship basketball team, Hougland played for the 1952 and 1956 gold medal U.S. Olympic basketball teams. He graduated from Kansas in 1952 with a degree in business.