Robert Elmore and Shocker Hall of Fame

[ShockTalk]

I remember watching and listening to the Shocks during the Elmore, Cheese, Bruton days. The Gentle Giant was a fan favorite.

Robert only played in two games his freshman year, so his accomplishments are over a three year period. Elmore is 22nd in scoring on the Shocker list with 1,186 points. He is 2nd all time in rebounds, rebounding average, and blocked shots and 11th in FG%.

For those not familiar with his sudden death and troubled side, please read the Bob Lutz article and Dave Stallworth comments: http://www.kansas.com/sports/lutz/story/1169105.html

For once, I agree with Lutz. I think only our Shocker history is being punished by not having him included in our Hall of Fame.

[Shocker85]

I am surprised there are "No" votes to this question and would like to hear the negative side to inducting Elmore into the Shocker HOF.

If you do an "eye test" evaluation of Elmore based upon career statistics, ranking, accolades, etc., there's no question he is HOF worthy. Look at all the baseball players with similar career ranking and accolades. There are many.

Evaluating Elmore in the window of time he was a Shocker athlete, there is no question. Expand that to cheating or gambling while a Shocker - I am not aware of evidence of that. Did he have personal problems, especially after his basketball career ended? You bet, and they are well documented. Was he one of the greatest Shockers ever. Yup.

There hasn't been a Shocker basketball player more recent than Aubrey Sherrod added to the HOF. Are the standards too tough? I'm not talking about retiring a number, I'm talking about recognizing players the caliber of Elmore for the contribution to Shocker athletics.

--'85.

[Snapshot9]

It's almost like asking if 'James Dean' should be given a lifetime achievement award, isn't it?

[shocklight]

I don't know if this is correct, but I was told Len Elmore is Robert's brother! Is this correct?

[1979Shocker]

I don't know if this is correct, but I was told Len Elmore is Robert's brother! Is this correct?

Yes.

[ShockTalk]

Not sure about this, but I always thought that big brother Len was a hard act to follow for Robert. Robert only played one year of high school basketball, yet his brother lead the #1 HS in NYC and the nation. Len was an All-American at Maryland and later got his JD from Harvard. Robert probably felt it was hard to live up to Len's high, but very fine, standards.

[bloodgold]

I believe that character counts for HOF membership. I don't believe that you have to be a perfect person to get in. I don't think it should come down to "community involvement" or other such factors. However, a heroin overdose is serious. Very serious. I suppose I don't care either way, but I certainly can support the position that he eliminated himself from consideration.

[pogo]

If this had happened while he was a student we wouldn't be having a discussion. He died after he left WSU. Why judge a person for what happened after he left the university. I believe there is at least one Shocker HOF baseball player that was caught using steroids while playing his sport. Are we going to take his name off? JMHO

[molly jabali]

i guess i would think about the character issue...did his indiscretion happen WHILE he was shocker(or jayhawk, or tiger, or husker, or whatever)...if not, then i'm more lenient...

[shockball]

Lutz brings this up for the last time every year. Why would the HOF give Lutz a reason why Elmore is not in HOF? It would most likely result in Elmore's name being drug through the dirt again.

[WuDrWu]

I would like to see them look at this as an opportunity, not as a blemish to ignore.

Does anyone know what Robert's brother has to say on the matter?

[NCAABound]

I would like to see them look at this as an opportunity, not as a blemish to ignore.

Does anyone know what Robert's brother has to say on the matter?

Try len@bigbuzz.com

[shockball]

I would like to see them look at this as an opportunity, not as a blemish to ignore.

Does anyone know what Robert's brother has to say on the matter?

The article before last Lutz put in his conversation with Len Elmore. What went on during Bob Elmore's days in Wichita I don't think was brought up. They discussed growing up and Bob's tragic death. Len said that he would come to Wichita and accept on behalf of his family. I don't think Lutz should have posed that question.

HOF committee members John Dreifort, Cleo Littleton, Linwood Sexton, & Mike Kennedy have been intimately involved in WSU athletics for decades. They also have a great love for this university. I think they know a little more about this situation.

What a guy does while he is here on and off the court makes a difference.

[ShockTalk]

I would like to see them look at this as an opportunity, not as a blemish to ignore.

Does anyone know what Robert's brother has to say on the matter?

The article before last Lutz put in his conversation with Len Elmore. What went on during Bob Elmore's days in Wichita I don't think was brought up. They discussed growing up and Bob's tragic death. Len said that he would come to Wichita and accept on behalf of his family. I don't think Lutz should have posed that question.

HOF committee members John Dreifort, Cleo Littleton, Linwood Sexton, & Mike Kennedy have been intimately involved in WSU athletics for decades. They also have a great love for this university. I think they know a little more about this situation.

What a guy does while he is here on and off the court makes a difference.

Assuming the individuals above are in the negative, maybe they should discuss this with Dave Stallworth, as I believe he's deserving of this. Then again, maybe they have and he just disagrees.

If there is more valid points as to not admitting Robert than what is already publicly know, and the above individuals say that, (no discription needed), I will accept that as the case and agree with their judgement.

[Aargh]

What a player does after he (or she) leaves WSU counts. The precedent is set and carried out.

Warren Armstrong's jersey should be hanging from the rafters and about all he did ws change his name and religion. He may also have had some negative things to say about WSU and Wichita. If that's all the offense it takes to get left out of special recognition after graduation, then Elmore can't be in the HoF.

Or maybe we look at things seletively. Ralph Miller may have recruited across racial lines, but his color-blindness appeared to have begun and ended on the basketball court. That certainly didn't keep him out of the HoF.