DEAN EVANS
1920 – 1991
Inducted – 1977

Known as “Mr. Baseball” around the Salina area for his work with youth baseball programs, Samuel Dean Evans Sr. devoted over 40 years of his life to making participation in sport a reality for thousand of young Kansans. Widely known for his community loyalty and generous charitable contributions, Evans helped sponsor and fund programs for several organizations, including the Salina Family YMCA, Kansas Wesleyan University and Marymount College. Evans was instrumental in bringing the Russian Olympic Basketball team to Salina in November, 1975 to play Marymount College in an Exhibition game. Evans helped sponsor Salina American Legion, Salina Babe Ruth and other youth baseball programs for three decades. In 1991, Salina’s new baseball facility was named Dean Evans Stadium in his honor. He was also awarded such honors as the 1971 Sport Magazine Service Award, the 1975 Marymount Spartan Man of the Year; 1977 Babe Ruth Most Valuable Person; 1975 YMCA Trophy and 1976-77 Boy Scout Trophy. Born March 12, 1920 – Green, Kansas. Died November 8, 1991 – Salina, Kansas. Graduated Green (Kansas) H.S., 1938.