Hall of Fame
A man of many hats, Rich Loehnig participated in two sports during his playing days as a Griffon. Hall of Fame Coach Gary Filbert recruited him as a foundation player for his first Griffon Men's Basketball team as a four-year institution in 1969-70, starting 24 games and leading Missouri Western with 16.3 points per game. Starting 50 games overall in his two-year basketball career, Loehnig also suited up for Griffon Baseball in 1970.
One of just 20 college seniors invited to play in the Mathews Memorial Game in Springfield, Missouri, following the 1970-71 season, Loehnig then enjoyed a 38.5-year career with Burlington Northern, retiring in 2009. Loyal to the Griffons for life, he has been a member of the Missouri Western Gold Coat Club since 1989, serving as a board member for many years. One of Loehnig's greatest contributions includes when he co-chaired the annual Missouri Western Charity Golf Classic with Hall of Famer Carl Butcher for a decade, helping build it into the single biggest annual fundraiser with proceeds benefiting both Griffon Athletics and the St. Joseph YWCA for Shelter for Abused Women and Children.
