Lavonna Jacobs-Baden

An All-Region VI performer in volleyball, basketball and softball at Cowley College in the mid-1980s, Lavonna Jacobs-Baden will be recognized for her success when she is inducted into the Tiger Athletic Hall of Fame on Feb. 12.

Jacobs-Baden, who attended Wichita East High School, made an immediate impact at Cowley as she was named an All-Region VI performer in all three sports as a freshman. She also was named an All-American shortstop for the Cowley softball team, which captured its first-ever Jayhawk Conference Eastern Division championship in 1985, along with finishing in the top 10 in the nation in rebounding as a member of the Lady Tiger basketball team.

“All I ever wanted to do was play sports,” Jacobs-Baden said. “My time at Cowley is all I ever talk about. My best memories are of college.”

As a sophomore, Jacobs-Baden again was named an All-Region VI performer in volleyball and softball. Her stellar play helped lead the Lady Tigers to conference championships in volleyball, basketball and softball.

Jacobs-Baden was coached in softball by current head coach Ed Hargrove, and in basketball and volleyball by Ed’s wife, Linda.

“Linda and Ed were both the best,” Jacobs-Baden said. “I still talk about both of them to my kids. I’m really excited about seeing them. They both made such a difference in my life.”

Jacobs-Baden was the first All-American in the Cowley softball program’s history.

“Ability wise, she may be the best athlete I ever coached,” Ed Hargrove said. “She was a great athlete and a great person. She was the type of player that would run through a brick wall to get to the ball. I can’t wait to see her.”

Although she had such an impressive career at Cowley, Jacobs-Baden was shocked to find out she was going to be inducted into the Tiger Athletic Hall of Fame.

“I could not believe it,” she said. “Something like this happening never even crossed my mind. I haven’t been there since I left, so I’m looking forward to seeing how the college has changed.”

Jacobs-Baden lives in Poplar Grove, Ill., and works as a supervisor at Wal-Mart in Belvidere, Ill. She has four children: Austin, Tyler, Zachary, and Cooper.