Former Republic basketball player, coach, and activities director Greg Garton will be inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.
Garton helped Republic earn a Class 3 state second-place finish as a sophomore in 1980, when he averaged 18 points and ten rebounds a game. As a senior, he was a unanimous all-state selection, averaging 25.6 points and 9.1 rebounds per game.
“I’d known I’d been nominated, so you try not to get too excited,” Garton said. “But when (Hall of Fame President) Byron Shive contacted me on the phone to let me know I was selected and congratulate me, I got kind of emotional. It is quite an honor, and something that I’m very appreciative of.”
After an All-American playing career at Missouri Southern, Garton coached at Pierce City, Clever, and Republic (from 1991 to 1995). He finished his career as Republic’s activities director for two decades until retiring in 2018. During his time as A.D., Republic teams appeared in ten Final Fours and won four state titles.
Garton was inducted into the Republic Tiger Sports Hall of Fame in 2018. He’s also a member of the Missouri Southern Athletics Hall of Fame. He will be inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame on February 5.
Members of the Class of 2023 (from a Hall of Fame press release):
Bret Saberhagen – Kansas City Royals
Tyler Hansbrough – Poplar Bluff High School/University of North Carolina
Mike McClure – Sports Broadcasting
Bob Kinloch – Central High School Wrestling Coach
Greg Garton – Basketball Player, Coach & Athletic Director
Tom Rackers – Jefferson City sportswriter
Doug Middleton – Fast-Pitch Softball
Emily Scott Githens– Olympic Speed Skater
Jan Stahle – Missouri State University Football/Springfield Soccer
Daryel Garrison – Missouri State University Basketball
Don Knapp – Rolla High School Track & Field and Cross Country Coach
University of Missouri Golden Girls Program
Coach Mike Machholz & Missouri Valley College Wrestling Era 1996-2005
Blue Springs High School Girls Swimming & Diving Eras 1985-1996, 2004-2009
University of Central Missouri Volleyball Program
KOLR/Fox 49/KOZL/OzarksFirst.com – John Q. Hammons Founder’s Award
Bill Turner & Joe Turner of Great Southern Bank – President’s Awards
Brent Dunn – ACE Award