Hall of Fame
Wayne McKanna, who was raised in Laclede, Mo., entered the university in 1923 and played football as a freshman tackle. He left the school the following year to teach but returned in 1925, playing that fall as a fullback. His senior campaign of 1927 was probably his best. He played a guard position that year and captured All-MIAA recognition, helping the Bulldogs, under Don Faurot, to an 8-1 record and the MIAA championship. Mr. McKenna was also a track performer and captured the 1924 MIAA discus championship. He was captain of the 1925 team, considered the best track squad at the school up to that point in time. In 1928 he lost the MIAA discus competition by just one inch to Vernon Kennedy of Central Missouri State of Warrensburg, who went on to compete in the Olympics. After graduating in 1928 with a B.S. degree he entered the teaching profession but found time to earn an M.A. degree in 1931 from the University of Missouri. He taught in his hometown of Laclede for three years and then moved on to Green City for seven years. He inaugurated a 31-year career as an elementary and high school principal in the Kansas City School system, starting as superintendent at Blue Springs. He retired in 1970 after 14 years as principal at Kansas City Northeast High School. Altogether, he worked in the field of education for 45 years. Mr. McKanna was a member of the Missouri State High School Activities Association Board of Control between 1966-70 and has served as president of the Kansas City Schoolmaster.
