Tom Rutledge inducted into Missouri Sports Hall of Fame - KOAM TV 7

Tom Rutledge inducted into Missouri Sports Hall of Fame

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Missouri Southern men's track and field and cross country coach Tom Rutledge was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame tonight as part of the organization's ceremony in Springfield. 

Rutledge was part of an enshrinement class that included former Major League Baseball players David Eckstein, Scott Bailes and Mike Sweeney, Kansas City Chiefs fullback Tony Richardson, as well as current Central Missouri basketball coach Kim Anderson, among others. 

The ceremony was held at the University Plaza Hotel & Convention Center in Springfield. It consisted of a meet and greet with the current inductees, as well as a dinner and the program. 

Rutledge came to Missouri Southern in 1988 as an assistant football coach, and in 1989 became the first head cross country and track and field coach for both men's and women's programs.  Since that time Rutledge has been named MIAA Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year five times and Indoor Coach of the Year twice. He has mentored eight cross country All-Americans and fifty-five Track and Field All-Americans, including many achieving multiple All-American honors.

Rutledge announced his retirement in November of 2012 which will be effective at the end of this school year.