Early in this series of stories about Boone High School athletics through the years, I asked the question, "Is He the Greatest?"
In that story, I was pondering if Dayle "Hap" Moran, a BHS basketball and football star in the 1920's, could, perhaps, be the greatest Toreador athlete ever. After all, he was the star player on Toreador teams that won state basketball championships and was a football player great enough to display his skills for several years in the National Football League (NFL).
Moran led a pair of his BHS basketball teams, not only to a state title, but qualification for a national tourney in Chicago. Later, he played college basketball and football at Grinnell College. In pro football, he was a star player on an NFL championship team and set some league records.........one that lasted 75 years and was not broken until 2005.
That's quite an impressive resume'.
However, there's another great ex-Toreador athlete of the 1960's who also comes to mind when thinking of exceptional individual success. Because he was a versatile star in not just one or two but four different sports, Roger Dutton certainly cannot be ignored when attempting to grade Boone High's greatest athletes ever.
In brief, Dutton was a three-time all-conference selection and an all state choice in football, a third-place state pole vault finisher in track, a three-time all-conference and state Hall of Fame baseball selectee, and in basketball, again, was a three-time all-conference choice and the state of Iowa's top all-state guard vote getter in all-state balloting.
Yes, perhaps there have been individuals who have been at least his equal in a specific sport or two. However, none have excelled in four sports programs as Dutton did. And, we still haven't dwelled on his college basketball/baseball success or his highly regarded pro baseball career that seemed headed for major league participation until shelved by a disastrous injury.
Let's look at his feats in more detail:
In basketball, as a BHS sophomore, Dutton led the powerful Central Iowa Conference in scoring, was an all-league choice and led his team to a second place finish. As a junior, he earned another all-conference nod and a second place finish in league scoring. As a senior, in 1962-63, still another all-conference honor and league scoring title as he led his team of four junior starters into Boone's first State Tournament appearance in 15 years. When the media selected the all-state team, Roger earned first place honors, receiving more votes than any other of the state's guards who were nominated.
In football, Roger played quarterback and running back on offense, safety on defense and was the Toreadors punter and kick return man. He was an all-conference choice three straight years and a fifth team all-stater in his senior season.
In track, he competed in the pole vault and long jump while also running the 800 and in various relay events. His vault of 12-6 in the state track meet earned him third place honors.
Perhaps Dutton was at his best in baseball. In Little League, he was an all-star the first two years of the league's existence, led one all-star team to a state runnerup finish and was named an Iowa all-stater. An all-star also in Babe Ruth competition, he led his Boone all-star team to a state runnerup finish. As a Toreador, he played on three of Coach Bill Sapp's outstanding teams and was, eventually, named to the Iowa State Baseball Hall of Fame.
On to college and professional play:
Dutton was recruited to Northern Illinois University by basketball coach Ev Cochrane, a former Marshalltown High School coach, who had always been impressed by his high school play. He played three years of point guard for the Huskies and earned second all-conference honors. In baseball at Northern, he played shortstop, first base and center field, earning first team all-conference honors.
He missed his fourth year at Northern. After his junior season, he was selected in the third round of the Major League baseball draft. He played four years in the Yankee farm system but, after advancing to the Syracuse AAA club, he ran into a center field fence, suffering a broken neck among other serious injuries. That unfortunate injury concluded a professional career that seemed destined to result in a visit to the major leagues. In fact, he had previously been invited by the big club to visit Yankee Stadium, meet the Yankee stars of the day and sit in the dugout with them. During his pro career, he played with and against numerous individuals who did make big league rosters. He roomed in the minors with Thurman Munson and played against such notables at Jim Palmer, Larry Bowa, Carlton Fisk and Rick Monday among others.
For both his basketball and baseball achievements, he was inducted into the Northern University Hall of Fame in 1996.
Roger, eventually, returned to the DeKalb, IL area and remains there today, still involved in his very successful insurance agency.
K-----K
Its been 68 years since the BHS class members of 1953 scattered here and far. Many are gone but none are forgotten.
In fact, members have a special event coming up next Tuesday, May 25. That's the usual day for our monthly meeting at Colorado Grill starting about 5 p.m..However, on this particular day, there will be a bonus meeting with some visiting classmates from out of town prior to that.
Rosemary (Humm) McLaughlin; Janet (Main) Judge and Carol (Miller) Pyeatt will be in town and will meet with old classmates and other friends from 3 to 4:30 p.m. that same Tuesday at McHose park, across the road from the south baseball diamond. There will be an inviting "Class of 53" sign at the designated area. Any friends and classmates of the three are urged to come, chat and reflect on those "good old days."
P.S. And there's more. This still aggressive group is planning for a "between years" OFFICIAL 68th class reunion on September 18, 2021......again at Colorado Grill......again starting about 5 p.m..
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BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS: Roberta LuEtta Bloomquist Swanson, 90, Monument, CO. Grew up in the Boxholm area. Married Jim Swanson in 1950 in Boxholm. She worked at Fisher's Shoe Store and he worked at Boone State Bank. After college, she taught in several communities, including Gladbrook and Grand Junction. She continued teaching when the couple moved to Iowa City where they spent over 50 years. In 2018, they moved to Monument. Survivors include her husband, Jim, and a daughter..........Allan Blood, 70, Ogden. Born in Greene County. East Greene HS-68. Was a member of the Iowa Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve. In 1970, married Alberta Brower in Omaha. Worked over 42 years for the Iowa Conservation Commission, Department of Natural Resources Saylorville Wildlife Unit stationed at Ledges State Park. Retired in 2012. Survivors include his three daughters..........Pansy Brave, 61, Ogden Acura................Patti Bennett, 52, Breda. Formerly of Ames. A Nebraska native, she earned her Phlebotomy certificate. Married Fred Pelong in 2009. For 10 years was employed by United Community schools as a teacher's assistant for special needs children. Survivors include her husband, father, son and three sisters.........Richard Schuett, 69, Des Moines. Born in a military family that settled in Boone. BHS-70. DMACC and earned a degree in law enforcement administration from Marycrest in 1992. Was in the U.S. Army from 1972-75. Joined the Iowa National Guard in 1979, went to Officer Candidate School and earned a commission in 1980. Served in the military for 35 years, retiring as a Lt. Colonel in 2007. Married Kathy O'Malley in 1976 and joined the Des Moines police department in 1978. Remained a police employee for over 33 years before retiring in 2011. Married Denise in 1999. Survivors include his wife, Denise, three sons, a twin brother, Robert, BHS-70 and four sisters. Dar Schuett, Richard and Robert's father, was well known in Boone as a car salesman for Gillespie Motors.
K-----K
Worldwide Korner headquarters are located at 928 South Jackson, Boone, Iowa 50036-4932. Phone number is 515-432-1530. Leave a message. To email your stories/memories/comments......
kelleyskorner1@gmail.com.
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