Fansided

Picking the Sports Mount Rushmore for all 50 states

By Dave Stevenson

PHOENIX, AZ - APRIL 02: Detail of baseballs during batting practice to the MLB opening day game between the San Francisco Giants and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on April 2, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - APRIL 02: Detail of baseballs during batting practice to the MLB opening day game between the San Francisco Giants and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on April 2, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Arkansas

Arkansas, like Alaska and Alabama, has no professional sports teams. So to create its Mount Rushmore, a bit of creativity is required. Without a doubt, the best athlete from Arkansas is the late St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Dizzy Dean. A native of Lucas, Dean is a Hall of Famer and won the National League MVP award in 1934. He led baseball in wins twice. Off the field, he often participated in exhibition games with Negro League players and developed a close friendship with Satchel Paige.

John McDonell is the most impressive coach ever at the University of Arkansas. The legendary coach won a mind boggling 42 national championships while coaching the indoor and outdoor track and field teams, and the cross country team. Many coaches today use his techniques, but no one can quite match up with McDonell’s legacy.

Arkansas loves its football, so it’s natural that Frank Boyles, the winningest football coach in Razorbacks history, is on this Rushmore. He served over 30 years as the University of Arkansas’ athletic director. Boyles won the 1964 national title and won 144 games in 18 seasons with the Razorbacks.

While Arkansas isn’t typically known for basketball, NBA Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen is from the state and attended the University of Central Arkansas. Pippen was the Robin to Michael Jordan’s Batman and played the role more valiantly than anyone else could have. He played a huge role in each of the Chicago Bulls’ six NBA titles.

Next: Kentucky