Howard Connors - Inducted 1972

Born July 12, 1917 in Jefferson. 1934 Jefferson grad. Went to USD-Springfield and the University of South Dakota, participating in basketball, football and baseball two years each.

Connors, a USD math professor for almost 40 years, officiated high school and college football (40 seasons), basketball (36) and track (50). Was the first official elected to the SD Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Shrine. A member of the North Central Conference and South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference Halls of Fame.

Was selected as the right fielder for South Dakota's All-Century baseball team. Played three seasons of pro baseball (1938-40) as an outfielder with the Sioux Falls Canaries. Was Western League batting champ (.365) in 1939, and hit .326 in 1938 and .332 in 1940.

He coached at Jefferson from 1938-41 and at Vermillion from 1941-42. As a coach at USD, Connors was the head coach for track (1947-48) and baseball (twice, each time for five years) and an assistant in football (for Harry Gamage) and basketball (for Rube Hoy). GROUP PHOTO FROM 1940 INCLUDES BABE RUTH (second from left) AND CONNORS (far right).