Hall special for principal

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Jun 25, 2008 by Rick Peterson

By Rick Peterson

The Capital-Journal

Being honored for his athletic exploits is nothing new for Dale Cushinberry, but when the former Highland Park and Kansas State Teachers College (Emporia State) basketball standout is inducted tonight into the Topeka Shawnee County Hall of Fame, it will mean just a little bit extra.

"Sometimes you don't always know what to make out of awards, but any award that you receive around people who have known you all your life tends to mean a lot," said Cushinberry, the principal at Highland Park.

"Growing up in Shawnee County and more specifically, Topeka, it's just a privilege to be recognized by people in this area, showing their appreciation for something that you've done."

Cushinberry, a 1965 Highland Park grad, will be inducted tonight in ceremonies in the Washburn Room of Washburn's Memorial Union, along with former Topeka High and UCLA basketball standout Fred Slaughter and Topeka High grad and local baseball staple Lee Dodson. The ceremonies will begin at 6:30.

"For me, I played sports for two things - enjoyment of playing and somehow to be validated by my father (Jesse Cushinberry) that I was putting forth the effort to reach the level he reached," Cushinberry said.

"Dad was a three-year All-American in football in college (at Tuskegee University and Tennessee State) and it was really ironic, but the first year I made All-America in college the award didn't mean that much to me other than the fact that somehow I was on a parallel with my father."

Cushinberry ended up being a two time NAIA All-American and a member of Emporia State's Hall of Honor, but said he never played athletics for recognition.

"We were playing down at Pan-American and the assistant coach told me I needed two points to break Lucious Jackson's tournament record and asked if I wanted to go back in. I said, "nah,'\u2009" Cushinberry said.

"I just never really played to set records or anything. I tried to be a coach's player and give coach what he needed and respect the game."

As Highland Park's principal, Cushinberry continues to preach to Scot athletes about the benefits sports can provide.

"In my office I have pictures of me in high school and there's another frame that shows letters from the Chicago Bulls and the Denver Rockets (now the Nuggets) and Portland Trail Blazers," he said. "That usually gets their attention when they come in my office.

"I tell kids, "You have a unique opportunity to use (sports) as a vehicle to get anywhere you want to be. Coach (Ken) Darting (Highland Park basketball coach) and I talk a lot and we try to use that push-pull every way we can to get kids to see beyond the court."

Dodson, a 1942 Topeka High grad, was an outstanding pitcher, twirling five no-hitters in the Topeka High School League and going on to pitch for six minor league teams, reaching the AAA level.

A World War II veteran, Dodson also operated numerous semi-pro baseball leagues and has coached and managed teams in the Topeka area since 1961.

Slaughter, a 1960 High grad, was a standout for the Trojans in basketball and track before going on to become a three-year starter for the UCLA basketball team.

Slaughter played in two Final Fours and helped the Bruins win their first NCAA men's basketball championship in 1964.

Slaughter was inducted into UCLA's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004.

In addition to tonight's Hall of Fame induction ceremonies, the winners of the 2008 Shawnee County High School Sports Awards will be announced.

Awards will be presented to the top senior male and female athletes for the fall, winter and spring seasons, along with overall awards and most inspirational athletes of the year.

Rick Peterson can be reachedat (785) 295-1129or rick.peterson@cjonline.com.