UNIVERSITY OF THE OZARKS SPORTS HALL OF FAME Gayle Kaundart Class of 1990 Basketball (1946-1950) Alma, Ark. In 1947, Gayle Kaundart was placed on the All-AIC First Team for his basketball prowess. He again made All-Conference in 1948, this time earning Second Team honors. The following season he helped the team to an AIC co-championship, the first of its kind in 20 years at the school. He was named All-AIC Second Team following the team’s championship season. He capped his senior season by earning All-AIC First Team honors. After graduation, Kaundart would continue his excellence in basketball as he established himself as one of the top High School coaches at Fort Smith Northside guiding the boy’s team for 19 years. From 1958-74, the school took home six state titles, including 1974 when the team finished a perfect 30-0. He garnered Arkansas High School Basketball Coach of the Year in 1958, 1959, 1965, 1971, and 1974. In 1971, he was named the National High School Athletic Coaches Association District 5 Coach of the Year. He then went to Westark Junior College as the head men’s basketball coach where he captured seven Region II tournaments, nine Bi-State Conference titles and a national title in 1981. In 13 seasons under Kaundart, Westark had six 30-plus winning seasons and only two years with more than nine losses. He posted a winning percentage of 81 percent, compiling a 379-87 record. He was named Region 2 Junior College Coach of the Year eight times and was the National Junior College Coach of the Year in 1981. During his more than 30 years of coaching, Kaundart posted a 975293 record. Kaundart was inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 1984. He was also inducted into the NJCAA Hall of Fame. In 1974, he received the College of the Ozarks Alumni Achievement Award. + Four-time All-Conference basketball player + Coached Northside HS (Ark.) boy’s basketball team to six state titles from 1958-74 + Arkansas High School Basketball Coach of the Year (five times) + Named the National High School Athletic Coaches Association District 5 Basketball Coach of the Year in 1971 + Compiled a 379-87 record at Westark JC + Captured seven Region II tournaments, nine Bi-State Conference titles and a national title in 1981 at Westark JC + Named Region 2 Junior College Coach of the Year eight times and the National Junior College Coach of the Year in 1981 + Member of the UA-Fort Smith Hall of Fame, Ark. Sports Hall of Fame and NJCAA Hall of Fame
Lonnie Qualls Class of 1990 Football (1951-1955) Clarksville, Ark. Lonnie Qualls emerged as one of the top allaround athletes Ozarks has seen, excelling in baseball, basketball and football. Qualls made his biggest impact on the gridiron where he was a four-time All-AIC First Team member as a running back. In 1954, he was named the AIC Back of the Year, received All-AIC Honorable Mention in baseball and basketball. In 1955, he would garner AIC Honorable Mention honors in basketball and baseball. Qualls amassed 2,106 career rushing yards and scored 182 points. Qualls then went on to a successful coaching career at Clarksville High School and College of the Ozarks. In 1960, Qualls was selected as the head coach of the West All-Star Football team in the Arkansas High School All-Star game. He led Clarksville’s Senior High football team to three district championships and a pair of undefeated seasons. At Ozarks, Qualls became the NAIA District 17 Baseball Coach of the Year in 1976. In 1990, Qualls ended his career after thirtyfive years. He held coaching and teaching positions at Ozarks for 29 years, as well as coached football, baseball, tennis, bowling, soccer, and cross country in his tenure. In 2005, Ozarks’ baseball field was named “Lonnie R. Qualls Field” in his honor. + Four-time All-AIC First Team member as a running back + AIC Back of the Year in 1952 + Honorable Mention All-AIC in baseball and basketball + Amassed 2,106 career rushing yards and scored 182 points + NAIA District 17 Baseball Coach of the Year in 1976 + Ozarks Baseball Field named Lonnie R. Qualls Field + Served 29 years coaching and teaching at Ozarks
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