Art McLarney

Art was born in 1908 in Port Townsend and graduated from high school there, but only after surviving a bout with spinal meningitis. Despite suffering from lingering effects of the illness, Art enjoyed an outstanding athletic career, earning three letters each in basketball and baseball at Washington State College. A pitcher, first baseman and shortstop, Art played at WSC from 1929-32, where in 1932 he earned All-America honors as a shortstop by hitting .392. As if that wasn't enough, he was the school's student body president as a senior.

Art's baseball success earned him the attention of the New York Giants, for whom he played in 1932 and 1933. He finished his professional baseball career with the Seattle Indians of the Pacific Coast League, playing in 1934 and 1935.

Art turned to teaching and coaching, where he was as successful as he had been as an athlete. His Roosevelt High baseball team won the 1946 state championship. The following year he became head baseball coach and assistant basketball coach at the University of Washington. His 1948 UW basketball team finished third in the regional tournament. Ill health forced him to retire from the college, but he came back to coach football, basketball and baseball from 1952-54 at Bellarmine Prep in Tacoma.

McLarney earned induction into the WSU Hall of Fame in 1981.