Truman State University Athletics

Dave Taylor, who wrote an outstanding athletic record at Freeport (Ill.) High School, enrolled at the university in 1962. He was a vital cog on Bulldog basketball and track teams for the next four years. As a senior basketball player, he averaged 12.9 point, 12.3 rebounds and was named to the All-MIAA second team. In track he earned All-American honors, setting new school and conference records in the high jump. He was the recipient of the 1966 Stickler Cup as the outstanding senior athlete. Mr. Taylor says the Stickler Cup award, participating in NCAA Division II and Division I track championships and his selection to the Quincy (Ill.) College Christmas Basketball All-Tournament team were the highlights of his college athletic career. He says he has fond memories of his relationships with many people at the university, especially his coaches, Boyd King and Ken Gardner. After graduation in 1967 with a B.S.E. degree he spent two years in the Army and then moved to the Boston area. He worked for the city of Watham (Mass.) recreation department and was the department director from 1975-81. He relocated in Maryland and worked for a government recreation program. Currently he is supervisor of youth programs and conservation projects for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Parks and Wildlife Service.