Jayhawks football legend Mark Mangino is officially welcomed to the Kansas Sports HOF

The Mark Mangino era was one of the most successful times in Kansas football history. Over the course of eight seasons, the Jayhawks earned 50 wins, three bowl victories and a magical 2007 season in which the team defeated Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl.

In July, it was announced that Mangino would be inducted into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame. He is one of 12 people to receive this honor this fall. The ceremony runs from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. CT. today at the Hotel Topeka downtown.

While his tenure at Kansas was great all around – he was the first coach since Jack Mitchell to leave the school with a winning record – KU’s 2007 season was the best in program history. After the Jayhawks won 12 games that year, he was awarded the Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year award.

Mangino laid the foundation for Kansas football for years to come. Despite a poor start to the season for this year’s squad, Lance Leipold is by far the best head coach at the helm since Mangino. He expressed his confidence in Leipold several times.

The Kansas Sports Hall of Fame was founded in 1961. Their website states: “The mission of the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame is to honor those who have contributed to the history of sports in Kansas and to educate and inspire the public about the value of athletics and sports history.” Kansas by providing the leadership and resources needed.”

Five more former Jayhawks will hear their names called as part of the ceremony today. Mark Turgeon (basketball), Ron Neugent (swimming), Dave Bingham (baseball), Kelly Rankin (baseball) and Scott Russell (track and field) are all KU legends in their own right.