Gordon Taylor - 1998 Athlete

The lifelong philosophy of Gordon Taylor can be summed up in two words – Christian Pragmatism. "I believe that the Bible is the most practical book ever written and with God as your source for strength, these two make an unconquerable combination," he said.

Taylor had a brilliant career in football, basketball and baseball at Anderson University, which was followed by three years of professional baseball with the Kansas City Athletics organization.

Taylor was named All-Conference twice (1957-58), team captain and team MVP (1958) in football. He earned four letters in football, four in baseball and two in basketball at Anderson University. In baseball, he was All-Conference three times (1955-56, 1958), was team MVP twice (1957-58) and team captain in 1958. Those achievements led him to the Kansas City Athletics for three years of pro action.

For 10 years, Taylor coached junior and senior high football while teaching and officiating high school basketball for 17 years. In addition, he was an AAU swimming coach for seven seasons. All his activities have been in his native Pomona, Calif., for which he was aquatics supervisor for 10 years.

Taylor also shared his skills and commitment in the community as Kiwanis Club president, Chamber of Commerce, youth athletics and a churchman in varied roles as a lay minister. After graduation, he received Master of Arts degrees from both California State University and Azusa Pacific University.

In 1998, after an exciting career as teacher, coach, public speaker, counselor and administrator, Gordon and his wife, Carrie, served in the world of marriage and family therapy through their company, "Opportunities Unlimited," conducting workshops and seminars in such areas as communications, relations issues, divorce recovery, re-marriage, parenting and men in contemporary society.

Anderson University is proud to name Gordon Allen Taylor among its second class of inductees to the Athletic Hall of Fame.