The Barton Community College athletic department will induct Patricia Bauman, Wayne Becker and Dennis Sherman to its Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday during a 4 p.m. induction ceremony at Kirkman Activity Center.
The ceremony is free and open to the public.
The Hall of Fame inductees will also be honored at halftime of the men’s basketball game against Pratt. The women’s game tips off at 6, followed by the men’s game at around 8:10.
Bauman was a former multiple sport coach and educator at Barton, while Sherman, a former golf team member, was the first Barton Cougars athlete to win an individual conference title.
Wayne Becker will be honored posthumously for his contributions to Barton Athletics.
Patricia Bauman
Patricia Bauman dedicated over 25 years of her personal and professional life to Barton.
From 1969 through 1995, Bauman was an integral part of not only athletics but also within the academic realm of Barton, serving the community college in many capacities.
Prior to Barton, Bauman spent four years at McPherson High School, where she taught physical education, was the cheerleader coach and pep club sponsor.
In 1969, Bauman became the youngest faculty member at that time to be teaching at Barton, in addition to coaching the women’s tennis team.
From 1969 to 1981, Bauman led the women’s tennis program to a 124-45-3 record, including undefeated teams in the 1970-71 and 1974-75 seasons. Her teams also captured two conference championship tournaments, two NJCAA Region VI championships and five NJCAA national tournament appearances which included a sixth-place finish in the 1974-75 season and ninth-place finish in the 1975-76 season.
Bauman also coached the cheerleading team from 1969-1984, as well as adding the women’s track team to her coaching duties with Coach Jack Bowman for the 1973-75 seasons.
Additionally, Bauman coached the men’s tennis team from 1975-77.
On the academic side, Bauman taught psychology and physical education from her arrival until 1984 when she added the role as Social Science Division Chairperson. In 1989, she became the Interim Director of the Isbell M. Wesley Assessment, Learning and Writing Center.
From 1990-92, she was the Director of the Evening Division until moving into the Director of Institutional Research, Evening and Summer Programs position her final three years at Barton.
Outside of her Barton involvement, Bauman filled many roles and positions within the conference, region, and national association.
For five years she compiled women’s basketball statistics for the conference, served as Secretary/Assistant Regional Director from 1976-78, and was the Regional Director from 1978-82.
Bauman was also a NJCAA representative and chaired the NJCAA Track and Cross Country committee. The NJCAA role presented Bauman with numerous exciting opportunities such as assisting in the selection of track and tennis participants for the World University Games.
After leaving Barton in 1995, Bauman moved to Schnecksville, Pa., to become the Dean of Business, Science and Technology at Lehigh Carbon Community College until her retirement in 2001. Bauman now resides in nearby Allentown, Pa.
Wayne Becker
A lifetime resident of Great Bend, the late Wayne Becker was owner of Becker Tire and Treading. Inc., located at 10th and Washington in Great Bend.
Becker Tire was established in July of 1954 by his father Harold Becker. Wayne developed and expanded Becker Tire Service into one of the Midwest’s most successful tire dealerships with eight locations throughout Kansas.
Wayne Becker not only carried on and expanded his father’s company, he continued his father’s tradition of supporting Barton Athletics as well.
Wayne was an avid fan of Cougar basketball and not only purchased season and regular admission tickets for himself and employees, but also supported Cougars basketball through a corporate sponsorship that is still in place today.
Passing in 2008, Becker was known for his positivity and strong sense of Christian values and will be inducted posthumously.
Dennis Sherman
Earning Barton’s first ever conference championship in the 1971-72 season, Dennis Sherman was a two-year member of the Barton men’s golf team.
In order to win his conference championship, Sherman beat out 85 players that included 17 other community colleges.
Originally from Hays, Sherman attended Barton from 1970-72 and was also involved in the band program.
Known as a student-athlete who balanced sports and academics, Sherman was infamous in time management skills of utilizing the trips to golf tournaments as study time to stay ahead in his academics.
After Barton he transferred to the University of Kansas where he earned academic excellence awards in completing his Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy.
After graduating from KU in 1975, Sherman returned to Great Bend working as a pharmacist.
He continued to stay in the area, working in Larned and Ellinwood until his semi-retirement from the pharmacy field in 2001.
Beginning a new career as a Financial Advisor for Waddell & Reed in 1998, Sherman expanded in the financial industry to partner in the formation of Hiss-Sherman Wealth Management Group in Great Bend.
In addition to finance at Hiss-Sherman, he currently is also a Relief Pharmacist for Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend and Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington.
Sherman has been awarded many leadership, distinguished service and excellence awards including the Health-System Pharmacist of the Year in 1996. Sherman also contributed to Barton by serving as a board member for the Nursing program and currently serves on the Pharmacy Technician Advisory Board.
Sherman continues to contribute to the Barton County area in various ways including being very active in his church, teaches a Sunday School class and has recently made a mission trip to Honduras.
Schedule of events
Saturday
4 p.m. — Barton Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony located at lower level of the Kirkman Activity Center on the Barton campus. Admission is free and public is encouraged to attend.
5 to 7 — Chili Feed sponsored by the Cougar Booster Club located on upper concourse of the Kirkman Activity Center. Cost is $6 per person. It also includes a cinnamon roll and refreshments.
6 — Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference Western Division basketball: Barton Community College vs. Pratt, Women, 6; Men, 8 p.m. Inductees will be presented with Hall of Fame plaques at halftime of the men’s game.
