Kansas State University Athletics
K-State Athletics Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 1995
- Class:
- 1959
DeLoss Dodds first came to Kansas State in 1957 after a successful prep track career at nearby Riley County High School. After becoming a Wildcat, Dodds would become a force in the Big Eight as a member of Ward Haylett’s track squads.
Dodds’ track skills paid great dividends to the Wildcat track squads, as during his junior season in 1958 he won a Big Eight Championship in the 440-yard dash and also anchored K-State’s Big Eight Championship relay team. Dodds’ efforts and successes were rewarded by his teammates, as during his final season at Kansas State, he was named captain of the track squad.
After a two-year stint in the United States Army after graduation, Dodds returned to his alma mater in 1961—this time as an assistant coach under his mentor. In 1973, legendary track coach Ward Haylett stepped down and the head position was passed on to Dodds, making him only the second track coach in the history of Kansas State University. It was a position he would hold for the next 14 years.
During his tenure as head coach of the Wildcat tracksters, Dodds led Kansas State to a pair of Big Eight Indoor Championships, three runner-up finishes, and a run of five consecutive Big Eight runner-up finishes in outdoor competition. He also produced three Olympic athletes in 14 years as track coach.
In 1976 Dodds left his position as Kansas State’s track coach to become the Assistant Commissioner of the Big Eight Conference. He would hold that position for two years and in 1978 he returned to Kansas State to take over as the director of athletics.
Dodds held the athletic director position for three years, when in 1981 he resigned to take over as the athletic director at the University of Texas.
