MACKO FAMILY DONATES $20,000 TO THE TEXAS SPORTS HALL OF FAME TO HONOR SON WITH STEVE MACKO INTERN SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

  November, 2006

The Texas Sports Hall of Fame announced a "meaningful and touching" gift from the parents and family of former Baylor University baseball All American and Chicago Cub Steve Macko. The gift is designated to create an intern scholarship for the museum to utilize in its new project of adding 18,000 sq. ft. to memorialize the Southwest Conference, Cotton Bowl, and create a Health, Fitness and Education Center for youth.

Steve Fallon, Executive Director of the museum commented, "We are pleased to be the recipient of the Macko family’s honoring of Steve. He was a personal friend of mine and a great SWC All American who embodied the spirit and accomplishments of so many of the athletes who comprised the 82 year history of the league." Fallon went on to add, "This scholarship gift is the type of leadership effort we hope will lead to others helping provide the funds to complete our dream to expand the museum and establish our youth based Health, Fitness and Education Center. We owe a great deal to the Macko family."

Steve Macko’s parents, Joe and Dorothy, have committed significant time and resources over the years in remembrance of their son with scholarships to Baylor University, Bishop Dunne High School, The University of Texas at Arlington, and Texas Wesleyan University. I addition, The Steve Macko Scholarship Fund has supported Texas Christian University, American Business Clubs (AMBUCS), Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and Athletes in Action, all of which were important to Steve.

Macko played two years at Baylor from 1976-1977 and Became Baylor’s most decorated baseball player. In 1976, Macko batted .285 as the Bears finished 23-19. In 1977 Macko led the SWC in hitting with a .417 average and earned the league’s MVP honors for a team that finished 43-15. he also helped guide Baylor to the College World Series in 1977. For his efforts Macko became only the third player in Baylor history to earn All America honors in baseball, joining Larry Isbell and his coach Mickey Sullivan. His 22 doubles, 93 hits and 68 runs in 1977 were Baylor single-season records. Macko played with the Chicago Cubs and carried a lifetime .250 batting average. He died of cancer on November 15, 1981 at the age of 27.