Bears Mueller, Fair Grove’s Peck headline MO Sports HOF Enshrinement class

SPRINGFIELD–The newest members of immortality in the Show Me state were enshrined into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, on Sunday.

Bill Mueller, one of the best baseball players in Missouri State history, topped the list of 14 individuals who now have their own plaque and iconic red jacket.

Mueller left MSU after the spring of the 1993 season, where he held at least nine program records, and went on to play 11 seasons in the Major Leagues. His two greatest career milestones were winning the 2003 American League Batting Title, and helping the Boston Red Sox break the infamous “Curse of the Bambino” by winning the 2004 World Series. The Red Sox swept the St. Louis Cardinals to capture their first World Series in 86 years.

Former Kansas City Chiefs punter and super bowl champion, Dustin Colquitt, was the only other professional athlete inducted into the hall of fame, Sunday afternoon. Colquitt played in a franchise-record 238 games for Kansas City between 2005-2019.

Colquitt’s final year with the Chiefs, 2019, culminated in his only super bowl appearance and victory. It was Kansas City’s first world championship win in 50 years, and started, what has become the Chiefs dynasty.

Tonya Peck was one of eight coaches who were enshrined, on Sunday. Peck coached the Fair Grove High School volleyball program for 24 seasons before stepping down in 2025. She compiled a record of 618-177-53 in her more-than-two decades at the helm.

In total, Peck’s Lady Eagles team reached four Final Fours between 2001, 2013, 2023, and 2024 and claimed back-to-back state titles in 2023-24. Her contribution to creating one of the most successful volleyball programs in the Ozarks, and in the state of Missouri, easily helped her earn this distinguished honor.

Other notable names who will also enjoy sports immortality in Missouri history include Boxing coach Darrell “Smitty” Smith, Matt Gifford — the Springfield Cardinals first General Manager, Richard Hackett — Drury University Diving Coach, along with the 1989 & 1990 Missouri State football playoff teams.

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