Year Inducted: 2006 (p)
Nominated By: Edith M. Prater (wife)
Sports Competed In: Baseball, Basketball, Football
Athlete, Coach or Contributor: Athlete, Coach
Before High School:
Played in the outfield on the Fayetteville Junior Legion baseball team for two seasons (1939-40).
High School:
Attended University High School in Fayetteville Arkansas, graduating in 1942... Played for four seasons as a forward on the basketball team, lettering twice (1936-40).
College:
Went to the University of Arkansas...Played on the Razorbacks freshman basketball team as for a year at forward (1940-41)...Left college to join the U.S. Army.
Achievements:
● Played football (U.S. Army) and was on a team that twice won the 9th Division European Theater Football Championship...Also played baseball.
● Played outfield for the Olean Oilers of the New York Pony league for a year (1942) before leaving for the Army.
● After stint in the service, Prater played outfield on the Oskosh, WI (NY Giants Farm Club) in 1946 and Chanute, KS KOM League in 1947.
● Led the Colts to 13 South Central League titles, two 4A state championships and his teams twice finished runner-up at two more titles.
● In Lockett's last season, the state finals was the hardest to lose as the team lost to Sierra in the championship game on a last second shot after having a 27-0 season.
Achievements:
Coaching:
● Posted a career football coaching record of 111-95-5 at both the high school and college level in 21 years of coaching.
● Started out as an assistant football coach at Lamar Union H.S. for five seasons (1948-53) before being hired as the school's head coach for the next five years (1951-56).
● Guided his team to two, Class A, State Championship teams (1954-1955).
● Coached three Al-American football players at the college level...One receiver played for the Washington Redskins and New Orleans Saints while several others had brief careers as professionals.
● Coached football for seven years (1956-62) at Pueblo Community Colege and at Southern Colo. State College from 1963-73.
● As a basketball coach, Prater was an assistant at Lamar Union H.S. for one year (1948-49) before taking over the program and leading the Savages to three district championships in seven years there (1948-55).
● Also coached basketball for seven seasons at Calvary Baptist Church H.S. (1974-80).
● Founded baseball at Lamar Union H.S...He served on State Baseball Committee.. His team won the 1951, Class A, State Championship and was the 1952 State runner-up.
Honors:
● Namd the NAIA District VII "Coach-of-the-Year" (1965).
● Received the USC Alumni Faculty Service Award (1982)
● Recived the Dedicated Service Award (1956-1989) from the USC Math department.
Occuption:
Teacher/Football Coach at Lamar Union H.S., Pueblo Community College, Southern Colorado State College (later named the University of Southern Colorado).
Personal:
Lived in Pueblo with his wife, Edith M. Prater... Passed away on August 1, 2004.
