Members

Inductee
McMILLAN, VERNON R. “MAC”
McMILLAN, VERNON R. “MAC”
Born on September 15, 1892
Morrill, KS
December 1, 1968.
Inducted On
April 5, 1976
Location Inducted
Terre Haute, IN (Posthumously)
Region Number
6
Terre Haute
Merit - Inventor
Baker Academy, Baldwin, KS
1911
Football quarterback; captain senior year.
Baker University, KS
1915
Played quarterback and was captain of football team; held Kansas State College record in 440-yard dash for 7 years; member of Baker University Glee Club; president of Baker University Athletic Association.
Promoted high school athletics throughout Indiana; raised money for high school athletic programs and sponsored athletic tournaments; in 1940 was recognized by the National Sporting Goods Association as the Nation s Outstanding Promoter of Amateur Sports among Dealers; originated slogan It Pays to Play which is the official slogan of National Sporting Goods Association.
Merit Contributor - Inventor: After serving in the military during WW I, formed a sporting goods company in Terre Haute where he perfected and patented an inflator for basketballs and footballs; also patented the first football face mask and originated size coding for athletic socks.